Artist Playthrough #2 2025 - John Mellencamp

There are some artists that we are just compelled to listen to.  For me, John Cougar or John Cougar Mellencamp, or just John Mellencamp is that artist.  Growing up and living in the mid-west, I could relate to all of the themes that Mellencamp sang about.  I felt his joys.  I felt and he helped me to understand the pains and injustices of the times.  His music made me feel like an American and proud to be from the central states of the United States.  His music still resonates today and a new generation could learn a thing or two about being an American from Mellencamp.  

John Cougar 1979 - An early, raw sound for Cougar (Mellencamp) to introduce a sound that will gradually mature and find a strong purpose in the following years.  My top song from this album is Pray for Me. This little ballad  reminds me of Bob Dylan style storytelling.  

American Fool 1982 - If you hadn't heard about John Cougar by 1982, you did by the end of it.  My
top song from this album is the radio hit teenage anthem Jack & Diane.  What American mid-western teen boy didn't want to do his best James Dean while dreaming of running off to the city with his girl?  But, ya know, life goes on long after the thrill of livin' is gone.  

Uh-HUH! 1983 - You ever hear of the sophomore slump?  John Cougar Mellencamp hasn't.  Uh-Huh! lived up to any and every expectation that was set after the breakthrough success of American Fool.  It was a little more grown up.  He had a little more to say.  And he got in our faces to tell us all about it. My top song on this rockin' album is Authority Song.  "I call up my preacher,  I say 'Give me strength for round five,' He said 'You don't need no strength you need to grow up son.'"  Yep, there you go.  We always come out grinnin'.  

Scarecrow 1985 -  Farm Aid, the mega concert to raise aid for farmers in America, was organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp.  The Scarecrow album symbolized the concern of the crisis of the middle American farmer and a deeper crisis rising in the United States.  Scarecrow smashes that message and Mellencamp takes one more step on his musical career.  There are so many candidates for top song on this masterpiece super album with Rain on the Scarecrow, Small Town, Minutes to Memories, Lonely Ol' Night, Runbleseat and today's 4th of July anthem R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A (A Salute to 60's Rock), but the sleeper top song here is Justice an Independence '85.  Just listen to this masterpiece.  You might just shed a tear and shake your head when you listen today, but don't forget to let it all go and dance it all away!  Ross Hollebon and I break this album down on his podcast, the Album Cockpit Podcast.  Check it out right here. 

The Lonesome Jubilee 1987 - John returns home with this album as he reminisces on Indiana living.  He doesn't lose the social commentary on a few songs, but this album really returns to home.  The top song for me on this record is Cherry Bomb.  Sit back, close your eyes and think of growing up and maybe main street of you hometown when you put the needle down on this LP.  

Big Daddy 1989 - While my attention started turning to something a little harder in 1989 like Guns and Roses Paradise City, John Mellencamp doubled down on the hometown feel in this album and he brought me right back down to Earth.  It isn't my top song, but Big Daddy of Them All sets the tone of this album.  It tells you to "sit down son and listen to the Big Daddy of them all."  My top song however draws us to the end of the album when it is time to let lose a little bit and have some fun.  "Hanging from a pine tree by my knees, Sun shinin' through the shade, Nobody knows what it's all about, It's too much man, let it all hang out."  That's it!!  The top song...Let It All Hang Out!  

How about one more album, because this list could go on for a very long time...

Whenever We Wanted 1991 - With new decade comes a new feel.  It is still quintessential John Mellencamp but with a bit of an edge.  Do you like a little bit of hard electric guitar?  Maybe a solid drum set? Raw lyrics?  This is your album.  My top song from Whenever We Wanted has a sassy guitar with a driving beat and one might be able to say they want more cowbell when listening to I Ain't Ever Satisfied.  

This is just the start for John Mellencamp.  Maybe we can explore the 2/3 left of his works another day.