#John mellencamp movie#
#John mellencamp full#

#John mellencamp movie#

This rarity is a prime example: Originally played by Otis Day & the Knights in the movie Animal House, “Shama Lama Ding Dong” was a nod to the soulful sound of North Carolina beach music.

“Shama Lama Ding Dong” (single, 1987)įor all the deep thoughts in his songs, John Mellencamp could do pure fun with the best. Though it still works as a fist-waver, “Paper in Fire” found him writing on a more metaphorical level about how the grandest dreams can turn to ashes. The pairing of accordion and fiddle with Kenny Aronoff’s power drumming made this an especially potent band. Now hitting the peak of his 80s fame, John Mellencamp was blending rock and roots into his own kind of American music. “Paper in Fire,” (from The Lonesome Jubilee, 1987) Anticipating Farm Aid and a few stacks of similarly-themed songs, this one went a long way toward putting the plight of farmers on the national radar. “Scarecrow” made a forceful case for the economically threatened American farmer. No double edge on this one, it’s a pure celebration of his roots, and the video includes some of the most rural scenes ever to appear on peak-era MTV.Ĭlick to load video “Rain On the Scarecrow” (from Scarecrow, 1985) “Small Town” (from Scarecrow, 1985)Īnother year, another anthem: When you hear the words “heartland rock,” “Small Town” is likely the first song that comes to mind. Mellencamp’s song is patriotic but not a flag-waver: It calls out inequality and lost dreams, and says that the peoples’ ability to roll with it is what makes this country great. The chorus of “ain’t that America” has been adopted by politicians on both sides of the spectrum, but like “Born in the USA,” this is an easy song to misinterpret.

“Pink Houses” (from Uh-Huh, 1983)Įnter “John Cougar Mellencamp,” and the most emblematic song of his career (if not quite the biggest hit). Sonically, it was state of the art, with that heavy acoustic guitar, the big chord crashes, and the rousing “Oh let it rock” chorus. 1 hit, “Jack & Diane” puts some ambiguity in John Mellencamp’s storytelling: We don’t know where Jack and Diane will end up, this is just a snapshot that feels gritty and real. Sure, there’s a bit of Springsteen here, but the lead mandolin points at his future direction.Ĭlick to load video “Jack & Diane” (from American Fool, 1982)Īn 80s anthem and a No. The lyrics evince both insecurity (“Don’t even know if I’m doing this right”) and endless possibility. “Ain’t Even Done…” was the sweetest of the batch, a song that captures the feel of being young and sexed-up. “Ain’t Even Done With the Night” (from Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did, 1981)ĭonning the more serious “John Cougar” name, John Mellencamp set his sights on chart success: This tune was part of a string of singles (including “Hurt So Good” and the Pat Benatar-covered “I Need a Lover”) that established him as a radio presence. Even the chorus, “Ain’t that the American dream,” would later be adapted in a more famous tune of his. The opening track is still a solid rocker, introducing the heartland storytelling that would later make his name. At the time, he looked and sounded like he really loved Elvis Presley.

#John mellencamp full#

Then known as “Johnny Cougar,” John Mellencamp’s debut album is full of unlikely 60s cover songs and slick, glitter-styled production. “The American Dream” (from Chestnut Street Incident, 1976)