(instrumental opening)

Well, there's an old man
on his front porch
miles from any neighborhood.
He's got a film crew set up
in his front yard
and he's thinking that this is no good.

And there's a Bible
in the window
open to the Old Testament.
And the old man's looking out
and wondering where his
privacy went.

Oh, but ain't that the media.
Annoying me.
And now here is Mellencamp.
At last, you can see, baby.
Color in video.
It don't come free, yeah.
Playing in a boxcar for you and me.
Ooh yeah, for you and me.

Well, there's a young man
in a T-shirt
leaning on machine full of soda.
He's got too much time
and he's got no smile.
He says, "Lord, hope that convertible comes over."

The girl pulls up
and she falls out.
She says, "Boy, help me off this pavement."
Each of them is the best the other one can do
since dreams came and went.

Aw, but ain't this a wide meadow
where I now sing?
Ain't this a wide meadow
with my bad dancing, baby?
Rolling over this bridge
while guitars they ring, yeah.
Meadow, no houses for you and me.

Hope that truck don't hit me!

(instrumental break, featuring motorcycles, a ranch scene,
a buffalo, a flag obscured by telephone wires, a railroad,
an old guy with a pumpkin, another truck, another train,
Mellencamp dancing in the meadow some more,
a highway sign, another truck, an old hotel in a small town
which is probably where they'll bury him,
and another shot of a train)

And there's trailers
and more trailers
underneath flah-yah-yags.
Tall building in Indianapolis
and sailboats that are piloted by slags!
Ooh yeah!

There's a biker
looks like Jesus
but that ain't no big deal.
But what is, is that he's got woman
who lights up the sticks
the sticks that kill.

Aw, but ain't that a silly guy?
Half-naked dance!
Pennants on gas station.
So go clap your hands, baby!
Singing is gorgeous blonde.
A fine romance, yeah!
But real pink houses had no real chance
not in this video!

So, now, ain't this America
in eighty-three?
Ain't this America?
It's somethin' scary, baby!
Ain't this America?
Ron, no thanks from me?
Yeah yeah yeah!
Mortgaged our houses?
At least we're free!