John Cougar, Johnny Cougar, John Mellencamp, John Cougar Mellencamp, whatever you want to call him, you need him in your play list.
John Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s, but his classic writing style has made his songs relevant stand the test of time.
Simple, heartfelt, and catchy it doesn't matter what style of music you listen to you'll be able to relate to Mellencamp's songs.
He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has had 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. He holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart (7), and he has been nominated for a Grammy 13 times, yet only winning once.
In our opinion, John Mellencamp is one of the most underrated songwriters of our time. His music is damn good, and you'd be missing out on a great musical experience if you didn't give his tunes a listen.
To help you get better acclimated to his work here are seven John Mellencamp songs you gotta hear.
John Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s, but his classic writing style has made his songs relevant stand the test of time.
Simple, heartfelt, and catchy it doesn't matter what style of music you listen to you'll be able to relate to Mellencamp's songs.
He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has had 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. He holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart (7), and he has been nominated for a Grammy 13 times, yet only winning once.
In our opinion, John Mellencamp is one of the most underrated songwriters of our time. His music is damn good, and you'd be missing out on a great musical experience if you didn't give his tunes a listen.
To help you get better acclimated to his work here are seven John Mellencamp songs you gotta hear.
Mellencamp Must-Haves
1. Authority Song
"Authority Song" is a catchy song that has a rock-a-billy feel that will have you dancing and singing along. A great song to fight the establishment to, "Authority Song" is one of several hits from the Uh-Huh album, which was recorded under the name John Cougar Mellencamp.
"Authority Song" is a catchy song that has a rock-a-billy feel that will have you dancing and singing along. A great song to fight the establishment to, "Authority Song" is one of several hits from the Uh-Huh album, which was recorded under the name John Cougar Mellencamp.
2. Paper In Fire
From the album The Lonesome Jubilee, "Paper in Fire" is quite possibly one of our favorite John Mellencamp songs. The tune is smoldering with passion both lyrically and musically. The harmonica and violin are outstanding and well worth the listen. Talk about a toe-tapper.
From the album The Lonesome Jubilee, "Paper in Fire" is quite possibly one of our favorite John Mellencamp songs. The tune is smoldering with passion both lyrically and musically. The harmonica and violin are outstanding and well worth the listen. Talk about a toe-tapper.
3. Hurt So Good
From the American Fool album, "Hurt So Good" is flat-out a great song. His raspy voice, great lyrics, and rockin' beat makes this song a classic representation of Mellencamp's work. A little trivia, Mellencamp released this song under the name John Cougar.
From the American Fool album, "Hurt So Good" is flat-out a great song. His raspy voice, great lyrics, and rockin' beat makes this song a classic representation of Mellencamp's work. A little trivia, Mellencamp released this song under the name John Cougar.
4. Jack & Diane
As far as storytelling goes, there are fewer songs better than "Jack & Diane." From the American Fool album, "Jack & Diane" was an awkward song to produce, according to Mellencamp's statements on the song. Yet to date it's his biggest hit and a classic jam that deserves a place in everyone's music collection.
Side note: Any song that uses the word "ditty" in its lyrics is worth a listen.
Side note: Any song that uses the word "ditty" in its lyrics is worth a listen.
5. Cherry Bomb
Another great hit from The Lonesome Jubilee album, "Cherry Bomb" is an all-around classic hit. It's got a great beat, catchy lyrics, and is a song you can dance to in your kitchen.
6. Crumblin' Down
Another great song from the Uh-Huh album, "Crumblin' Down" has a gritty feel, great beat, and is a "get you pumped up" kind of song.
7. Pink Houses
From the Uh-Huh album, "Pink Houses" was inspired when Mellencamp was driving on a overpass on the way home to Bloomington, Indiana from the Indianapolis airport. He passed an old man sitting in front of his pink shotgun house holding a cat in his arms, completely at peace with the traffic speeding along the highway in his front yard. It's a great story and "Pink Houses" is a great song no matter how many politicians try to ruin it by using it in their political campaigns.
