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Fun Music Information -> John Mellencamp
This is the most recent information about John Mellencamp that has been submitted to amIright. If we have more information about John Mellencamp, then we provide a link to the section where it appears (the actual page whenever possible).
Possible Misspelled Names:
These are the alternate spellings of the performer's name we've had to correct in submissions to amIright.
Mellencamp, John Couger Mellancamp, John Cougar Melloncamp, John Cougar Mellencamp, John Cougar Mellancamp, John Cougar MelencampQuotes:
Here's what I told my son Speck, who's always fighting everybody and fighting himself. I know you consider yourself a dangerous young man but I'm a dangerous old man. A dangerous old man can use anger to his advantage. He's cagier and smarter. He knows what he's doing. A young man just has outbursts. Submitted by: Buckeye Scott
| Painting is harder on me than being onstage. I stand 8 to 10 hours a day. I used to consider it a hobby but now I don't. It's hard to be taken seriously because I'll always be considered a celebrity painter. Being a rock star has been a pain in the ass all around. *****NOTE - some of his paintings are featured on his albums' cover art ***** Submitted by: Buckeye Scott
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| There are additional music quotes available. | |
Jokes:
Q: Why did John Mellencamp join the Catholic Church? A: Because it Hurts So Good. Submitted by: Indy Gent
| Why didn't they let John Mellencamp in the Army? Because he forgot his Cherry Bomb Submitted by: Rich
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| There are additional music jokes available. | |
Music Performer Nicknames:
Known informally as: John Hoosier Melonhead. Submitted by: Buckeye James
Known informally as: L'il Bastard. Submitted by: June Buggs
Weird Names of Music Performer's Children:
- Speck Wildhorse - What can I say? John's from Indiana. Enough said. And remember in the 80's John went by "John Cougar Mellencamp" Looks like he's got a thing for 4-legged animals that can run fast. [Ed.'s note: As a 20+ year Hoosier, I can say the majority of Indiana natives DO NOT have weird names. And that John went by "John Cougar" circa 1978.] Submitted by: Dawn
- Justice - Justice is actually John's third daughter. His first daughter is Michelle. I think Justice got the best name of his 5 kids. Submitted by: Jen
- Hud - Hud is actually based on a book by Larry McMurtry entitled Horseman, Pass By. Submitted by: Becca
- Hud - He's named after the title character in an old Paul Newman movie. Matthew McConnaughey's dog, Miss Hud, is named after the same flick. Submitted by: jessica
- Hud - "Huddle", darling, if your parents picked your name from Fiddler on the Roof, the name is spelled Hodel. It's just pronounced a lot like "huddle". Submitted by: Erika
- Hud - Kind of makes me think, "Heads up display". Then I got to wondering where I'm flying today. "Huddle", wow and I figured Anton was bad. Submitted by: D. Dragon OY-APW
- Teddy - I think John is the best. His daughter sure doesn't seem to mind being named after a guy. Submitted by: julie g.
- Justice - Let's not forget John's second daughter. His first is named Teddy. I think he picks very unique names for his children. Submitted by: julie
- Speck Wildhorse - In this case, "Speck" is in honor of John's grandfather. Submitted by: Maria
- Hud - My name is Huddle and I am a female. My parents got the name from "Fiddler on the Roof." It is nice to see someone else who is afflicted by an unusual name. Submitted by: Huddle
Singers Who Act:
Notable Acting Credits | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Falling From Grace" | He played the lead role, a burned-out country singer, and also directed. - Indy |
Song Titles Not Used as Lyrics:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Authority Song" | The only mention of the word "authority" is in the line "(Well) I fight authority, Authority always wins" but there is no mention of the word "song" anywhere in the song. - Isac |
| "Key West Intermezzo" | No mention of any of the Florida Keys in this song, only "I saw you first" and something about crucifying John Lennon. - Indy |
New Band Names:
New Name | Why It's Better | Submitter Name |
| John Mountainlion | A synonym for Cougar, his original nickname. | George |
| John Mellenrot | The old man is losing his ripe sound. | Mr. X |
New Song Names:
Original Song Name | New Song Name | Submitter Name |
| "Pink Spouses" | "Pink Houses" | Regina Haniger |
| "Stink Houses" | "Pink Houses" | Regina Haniger |
| "Skink Houses" | "Pink Houses" | Regina Haniger |
| "Thundering Farts" | "Thundering Hearts" | Regina Haniger |
| "I Love Seka In The USA" | "R. O. C. K. In The USA" | Paul B |
There are additional new song names available. | ||
Literally Impossible Song Titles:
Song/Performer | Comment | Submitter Name |
| "Thundering Hearts," | Hearts cannot produce thunder. | Odie Garfield |
| "Lonely Ol' Night," | Nights cannot get old or lonely. | Rock Maninoff |
| "Human Wheels," | Wheels are not part of the human body. | John Phillips Screwdriver |
| "Cherry Bomb," | No bomb is a cherry | Rich |
Use a Song Title to Answer a Different Song:
Song & Band Name | Song & Band Name | |
| "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," Backstreet Boys | "Lonely Ol' Night," John Mellencamp | |
| "Two People," Tina Turner | "Jack And Diane," John Mellencamp | |
| "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," Poison | "Hurts So Good," John Mellencamp | |
| "Love Bites," Def Leppard | "Hurts So Good," John Mellencamp | |
| There are additional songs titles that answer other songs available. | ||
Remove a Letter From a Song Title:
"Thundering Hears" originally "Thundering Hearts"
What can thundering hear?
Veronica Persica
"Thundering Heats" originally "Thundering Hearts"
Naomi Swanson
"Thundering Harts" originally "Thundering Hearts"
Naomi Swanson
"Jack And Dine" originally "Jack And Diane"
Drinking a Jack whiskey, then dine.
Opie M.
"Jack And Dane" originally "Jack And Diane"
Gay version of John's early hit.
Opie M.
There are additional song titles with a letter removed available.
Add a Letter to a Song Title:
"Thundering Hearths" originally "Thundering Hearts"
Naomi Swanson
"Pamper In Fire" originally "Paper In Fire"
Jessica Childress
"Melting Plot" originally "Melting Pot"
Emily
"Melting Port" originally "Melting Pot"
Ed
"Lonely Ol' Knight" originally "Lonely Ol' Night"
Poor Sean Connery
Left Said Barney
There are additional song titles with a letter added available.
Change a Letter:
"Mack and Diane" originally "Jack and Diane"
Bethany
"Thundering Hearty" originally "Thundering Hearts"
Veronica Persica
"Smell Paradise" originally "Small Paradise"
Candy Welty
"Piper In Fire" originally "Paper In Fire"
The fried piper?
Jessica Childress
"Paper In File" originally "Paper In Fire"
Yvette Bristle
There are additional song titles with a letter changed available.
Recordings:
July 18
a parody of "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp
The state of beloved Union
SoundCloud: (MP3)
Nov 30
a parody of "Hurts so good" by John Mellencamp
Melbourne has been locked down more than any other city on earth! Let's hope this time the city is allowed "Out for Good"
youtube: (MP3)
Song Parody Lyrics:
Original Song Name | Parody Song Name | Parody Author |
| "Rain on the Scarecrow" | "Don't Vote for Trudeau" | G_RandomPerson |
| "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." | "L.I.C.K.? Stop It, You Must Pay" | the_conqueror_of_parodies |
| "Little Pink Houses" | "Little Bleak Houses" | CML |
| "Pink Houses" | "Ain’t My America" | The Offenders |
| "Jack and Diane" | "Becc And Ryland" | CML |
| "Driving in the Rain" | "Driving in the Night" | Duc4AmIRight |
| "Hurts So Good" | "Out for Good" | The ISOlators |
| "Wild Night" | "Thursday Night" | Duc4AmIRight |
| "Jack and Diane" | "Pete and Amy" | Arch Vile |
| "Small Town" | "Big Town" | Darius Whitehead |
There are additional song parodies available. | ||
Songs for Commercials, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
Song Name | Product | Submittor |
| Pink Houses | Sherwin Williams paints | Owen Money |
Bad Choices for On Hold Music:
Song Name | Company/Organization | Submittor |
| Yours Forever | Divorce Court/ Lawyer | Tatiana |
| Hurt So Good | Women's Domestic Violence Helpline | Tatiana |
| Hurts So Good | Dominatrix, Hospital, Counsellor | Kitty |
Songs for Duets, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
First Band/Song Name | Second Band/Song Name | New Song Name | Submittor |
| You Dropped A Bomb On Me The Gap Band | Cherry Bomb John Mellencamp | You Dropped A Cherry Bomb On Me | Edward |
| Lonely Boy Paul Anka | Lonely Ol' Night John Mellencamp | Lonely Ol' Night Boy | Opie M. |
| One Of These Nights Eagles | Lonely Ol' Night John Mellencamp | One Of These Lonely Ol' Nights | Serafina |
| I Can't Dance Genesis | Dance Naked John Mellencamp | I Can't Dance Naked | Chandra |
| There are additional duets that haven't been done yet available. | |||
If Groups Combined, Their Names Might Be:
Olivia Newton-John Mellencamp
Olivia Newton-John combined with John Mellencamp
Submitted By: Frosty The Cat
Elton John Mellencamp
Elton John combined with John Mellencamp
Submitted By: Ed
Johnny Mellenkemp
Johnny Kemp combined with John Mellencamp
Submitted By: Phill McKraken
Hoosier John Mellencamp
The Hoosiers combined with John Mellencamp
Mr. Mellencamp himself was born and raised in Seymour, Indiana.
Submitted By: indy
There are additional John Mellencamp Combined Groups that haven't been done yet available.
Misheard Lyrics:
"Pink Houses"
Misheard Lyrics: 'Cause the sinful man, baby,
Pays the bills, the bills, the bills that kill Original Lyrics: 'Cause the simple man, baby,
Pays for the thrills, the bills, the pills that kill | "Pink Houses"
Misheard Lyrics: 'Cause the sinful man, baby, pays the bills, the bills, the bills that kill
Original Lyrics: 'Cause the simple man, baby, pays for the thrills, the bills, the pills that kill
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"Crumblin’ Down"
Misheard Lyrics: And now some pimples
or And now some pickles Original Lyrics: And now some people
| "Cherry Bomb"
Misheard Lyrics: And croquet was croquet
Original Lyrics: And groovin’ was groovin’
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| There are additional misheard lyrics available. | |
Misheard Lyrics Stories:
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"Cherry Bomb"
Misheard Lyrics: And croquet was croquet
Original Lyrics: And groovin’ was groovin’
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Story about this misheard lyric by: Cody Finke It kind of made sense given the previous line was “That’s when a sport was a sport” |
| There are additional misheard stories available. | |
Song Parody Fragments:
"Now More Than Ever"
Better Lyrics:
I'll write new lyrics
for every song
for a big bag of money
how can it be wrong
I'll sing for you
if you'll pay my fee
and I'll write new lyrics
Yeah, I'll write new lyrics
for every song
for a big bag of money
how can it be wrong
I'll sing for you
if you'll pay my fee
and I'll write new lyrics
Yeah, I'll write new lyrics
Original Lyrics:
Now more than ever
The world needs love
Not just a slogan
But the world needs love
Now more than ever
I can´t stand alone
Now more than ever
Now more than ever
The world needs love
Not just a slogan
But the world needs love
Now more than ever
I can´t stand alone
Now more than ever
Now more than ever
Submitted by: Douglas Hurst 'Doug' Quebbeman
"R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A."
Better Lyrics:
Just don't forget James Brown
Original Lyrics:
Let's don't forget James Brown
Submitted by: Mike Hack
Funniest Song Lyrics:
"Peaceful World"
The Funny Lyrics: Looking down the nose is what people say
Why They're Funny: Well now of course, If you were looking up your nose at someone, then either you have a major injury or the someone is a booger!
Submitted by: Tony Finington
| "Jack And Diane"
The Funny Lyrics: Suckin' on chili dogs
Why They're Funny: This lyric makes me crack up every time I hear it. Can't you just picture two young lovers sucking on the same chili dog, Lady-and-the-Tramp style? That being said, it could probably go under "Nonsensical" as well.
Submitted by: Alexander
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| There are additional Funny lyrics available. | |
Repetitive Song Lyrics:
"Emotional Love"
The Repetitive Lyrics: Such emotional love...
Why They're Repetitive: 'John Mellen Cougarcamp' is a funny name!
Submitted by: Mike Hack
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Nonsensical Song Lyrics:
"Jack and Diane"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: Hold on to sixteen as long as you can
Why They're Nonsensical: 16 of what? He gives a number, but doesn't indicate what it quantifies.
Submitted by: Quyjibo
| "Again Tonight"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: Girl's got lightning underneath her skirt.
Why They're Nonsensical: Girls can do just about anything they want. But I know for a fact that girls can't produce massive electrical charges under their skirts. It just sounds too far-fetched.
Submitted by: Opie M.
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| There are additional nonsensical lyrics available. | |
Insincere Song Lyrics:
"Cherry Bomb"
The Insincere Lyrics: One night me with my big mouth a couple guys had to put me in my place
When I see those guys these days we just laugh and say remember when Why They're Insincere: Hey guys remember when you beat the snot out of me? Ha ha, those sure were good times.
Submitted by: Mark M
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Insulting Song Lyrics:
"Pink Houses"
The Insulting Lyrics: There's a woman in the kitchen
cleans up the evening slop Why They're Insulting: Seems that John is insulting a woman's cooking, by calling it "slop"
Submitted by: sXe LeXi 5X2
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Inappropriate Song Lyrics:
"Pink Houses"
The Inappropriate Lyrics: And he looks at her and says,
'Hey, darling I can remember when you could stop a clock.' Why They're Inappropriate: It sounds like this is supposed to be a guy complimenting his wife, but I've only ever heard that line used as an insult (to imply that someone is incredibly ugly!).
Submitted by: Michael S.
| "Crumblin' Down"
The Inappropriate Lyrics: But I know I'm a real good dancer.
Why They're Inappropriate: That's nice, John, but it isn't going to help you very much when the walls come crumblin' down.
Submitted by: Ingrid
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| There are additional inappropriate lyrics available. | |
Dated Song Lyrics:
"You've Got To Stand For Something"
The Dated Lyrics: I've seen Miss America in a girly magazine, I bet you saw that too
Why They're Dated: The "Scarecrow" album came out in 1985 and during the previous year the reigning Miss America Vanessa Williams was forced to surrender her crown when it was revealed that she had posed for Penthouse prior to the 1983 pageant. When the photos came out the scandal erupted. There's been no such scandal for the pageant since and Vanessa, who already made history by being the first black Miss America, went on to a successful music career.
Submitted by: Buckeye Scott
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Song Lyrics That Name Check Celebrities:
"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)"
The Lyrics: This loud Cuban band is crucifying John Lennon
Who They Mention: John Lennon
Submitted by: Rock Maninoff
| "Peaceful World"
The Lyrics: Racism lives in the U.S. today
Better get hip to what Martin Luther King had to say Who They Mention: Martin Luther King, Jr. - US civil rights activist
Submitted by: Adrian Smith
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| There are additional celebrity lyrics available. | |
Song Lyrics That Mention Other Songs:
"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)"
The Song Lyrics: This loud Cuban band is crucifying John Lennon.
Song They Mention: An indirect reference to the Beatles song "Ballad of John And Yoko", when John sings "The way that we're going, they're gonna crucify me."
Submitted by: Frosty The Cat
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Songs That Open With Their Titles:
"Lonely Ol' Night"
Opening Lines: She calls me up and says "Baby, it's a lonely ol' night."
Comments: Submitted by: Brian Kelly
| "Small Town"
Opening Lines: I was born in a small town.
Comments: Submitted by: Brian Kelly
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| There are additional spelling lyrics available. | |
Song Title Space Change:
"Some Times, A Great Notion" originally "Sometimes A Great Notion"
Submitted by: Anne
"Some Times, A Great Notion" originally "Sometimes A Great Notion"
Submitted by: Anne
"I Need Al Over" originally "I Need A Lover"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Pink Ho Uses " originally "Pink Houses"
Submitted by: Peter
Bad Grammar in Song Lyrics:
"I Need A Lover"
The Lyrics: I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Why: When the subject is a person (a human being), the correct pronoun should be "who", not "that".
Submitted by: RJSchex
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Band Name Anagrams:
Conman, Jell Hemp Submitted by: Oliver South
Kinda lame, I know. But it's the best I can do.
Hmm, No Pecan Jell Submitted by: Josh
Song Title Anagrams:
"Jackie And Dan" originally "Jack And Diane"
Submitted by: Alexis
"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw Your Fist)" originally "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)"
Song about a fight? If so, that's rather sad...
Submitted by: Evan Shortoria
"Add A Nick, Jean" originally "Jack And Diane"
Submitted by: Ed
"Pop's Reign" originally "Pop Singer"
Submitted by: Alexis
"Pig Person" originally "Pop Singer"
One who prefers pigs (the animal)?
Submitted by: Alexis
There are additional Song Title Anagrams available.
Real Places Mentioned in Songs:
"You Got to Stand For Something"
The Lyrics: I've been to Harlem County
And I've seen Paris, Texas And I've spent some time in Rome I've met a lot of funny people in a lot of funny places But the MidWest is my home Why: Harlem County; Paris, Texas; Rome, the American MidWest ( John "Hoosier" Mellencamp is from Indiana).
Submitted by: Scarecrow Scott
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Songs That Are Banned:
"Mr. Happy Go Lucky (album)"
Stupidity strikes again! Some stores (like Wal-Mart) would sell only copies of this album where the Jesus and Satan images were airbrushed off on the cover art. Mellencamp was getting more outspoken about his disputes with his record label execs. The next year a hits compilation was released and John's contract was fulfilled. Then he was free to find a new label.
Submitted by: Naked Dancer
"Dance Naked (album)"
The cover art for this album featured a pale wax dummy figure sitting on a log, wrapped in barbed wire with its right arm raised up in a gesture of defiance. Some stores sold copies that had the cover image festooned with black rectangles with red X's on them. It was the summer of 1994, the Cold War was over and yet some neanderthals in America were imposing outright censorship on us. No lame excuse was ever given for that. John was having some disputes with his record label and maybe the suits did this to "get back" at him. Stupid stupid stupid.
Submitted by: Naked Dancer
"Play Guitar"
On the edited version played locally, the word "s***" is played backwards so that it sounds like "dish".
Submitted by: Rocky
"Uh-Huh (album)"
Some fundamentalist types bellyached that the album cover shows Mellencamp along with angels that have "demonic" features (horns and pointed tails and such).
Submitted by: Buckeye Chuck
"Play Guitar"
The song got plenty of airplay but sometimes the line where Mellencamp says "Forget all about that macho sh*t and learn how to play guitar!" is edit by having acymbal crash dubbed in to mask the dirty word.
Submitted by: Clash City Rocker
Song Title Acrostics:
AT: "Again Tonight"
Submitted by: Indy Gent
AS: "Authority Song"
Submitted by: Candy Welty
LON: "Lonely Ol' Night"
As In UNLV BB coach Lon Kruger.
Submitted by: Rocky
ROTS: "Rain On The Scarecrow"
Submitted by: Millie Verst
Song Title Spoonerisms:
"Jack And I, Dan" originally "Jack And Diane"
Submitted by: Marge Pegram
"Jack And I, Dan" originally "Jack And Diane"
Submitted by: Marge Pegram
"Some Grimes A Tate Notion" originally "Sometimes A Great Notion"
Submitted by: Dawn Anwad
"Hold To Hand On To" originally "Hand To Hold On To"
Submitted by: Rocky
"Hold To Hand On To" originally "Hand To Hold On To"
Submitted by: Rocky
There are additional Song Title Spoonerisms available.
Onomatopoeia in Lyrics:
"R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To '60s Rock)"
The Lyrics: Beat-up cars with guitars and drummers
Goin' crack, boom, bam Why: "Crack! Boom! Bam!" sounds more like "Crash! Boom! Bang!"
Submitted by: Mickey D.
| "Cherry Bomb"
The Lyrics: Ahh!
Why: "Ahh!" was used between the second chorus and the instrumental break. I go "ahh" 4 steps higher than JMC's "ahh" part.
Submitted by: Mickey D.
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| There are additional Onomatopoeia in Lyrics available. | |
Band Name Spoonerisms:
Mel Jonnincamp originally "John Mellencamp"
Don't know what a jonnincamp is.
Submitted by: rocky
Mon Jellincamp originally "John Mellencamp"
Submitted by: Rocky
Lighter Side of Serious Bands:
"Soul Godfather Imitation"
When I saw John "Hoosier" Mellencamp live at the Palace Theater last year at the end of the main set (as in before the encores) an assistant placed a bluish-purple cape-cloak on John's shoulders a la James Brown. Note that in his video for the 1981 hit "Ain't Even Done With the Night" he also wears a cape and keeps "escaping" from it so he could grab the mic stand and sing another verse, also in emulation of Soul Brother Number One.
Submitted by: Buckeye Scott
"keeps on changing names"
Look at his discography. He's changed his stage so many times! His first few albums (from 1976 -1979) were released under the moniker "Johnny Cougar". His 1979 album was titled "John Cougar" and that's the name he used on his 1980 and 1982 albums. In early 1983 I read in a newspaper that he was up for Grammy awards and he was listed as "John Mellencamp Cougar" after he said he wanted his next album released under his real name. That happened later that year when the "Uh-Huh" album came out under the name "john Cougar Mellencamp". For the rest of the 80s his albums were under that name despite rumors that he'd dropped the "Cougar" altogether. That didn't occur until he put out a new release in late 1991. At the same time he has occasionally used the name "Lil Bastard" to denote himself in production credits. That name was used by another famous Hoosier (James Dean) for his car. Also, here in the Buckeye State the DJs of Q-FM-96 FM often refer to John with the affectionate nicknames "John Hoosier Mellencamp" and "John Hoosier Melon Head". He's got a huge fan base in the MidWest.
Submitted by: Ohio Buckeye
"Jack and Diane"
During the late summer and early fall of 1982 "Jack and Diane" was on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Me and my younger sister were watching a "Three's Company" episode during autumn 82 and main character Jack Tripper was dating a girl named (drumroll, please) - Diane!
Submitted by: Guess What?
Hidden Tracks:
"Rodeo Clown"
It's on the 2007 album "Freedom's Road". Right after the last listed track, "Heaven Is a Lonely Place" there's silence for a few minutes then the unlisted track "Rodeo Clown" comes on. It's a good slice of Dubya-bashing rock music. The moronic crap Mellencamp had to endure when he released his rewrite of Woody Guthrie's "To Washington" a few years before probably is why this cut is hidden. Mellencamp keeps on fighting authority, especially when it is criminal itself.
Submitted by: GWB Is The Worst Prez Ever!
Hidden Messages:
"Lovin' Mother Fo' Ya"
On this song from the album "Uh-Huh", you can hear him say "What the f***?!" at the very beginning.
Submitted by: Rocky
Music With a Warning Label:
"Uh-Huh"
Some fuddie-duddies complained about the cover art because it shows the rough-and-tumble longhaired rebel type Hoosier surrounded by angelic beings with satanic features (pointed tails and devil horns). Are they angels or demons? Hey fellas, just listen to the music.
Submitted by: Buckeye Skywalker
Products Bands Should Endorse Based on Their Name:
Melons
It's obvious.
Submitted by: Rock Maninoff
Movies Named After Song Titles:
"Jack And Diane"
2012 film
Submitted by: Sutch
"Jackie Brown"
Quentin Tarantino's 1997 film
Submitted by: Sutch
Bad Ringtone Choices:
"Jack & Diane"
The Lyrics: A little ditty 'bout Jack & Diane
Two American kids growing up in the heart land Jack, he's gonna be a football star Diane's debutante, back seat of Jacky's car Why: This song wouldn't be the best ringtone choice if your cellphone rang in front of a guy named Jack and a girl named Diane (especially if Jack's a football player).
Submitted by: Kerry
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