Sorry - i don't live in the Us, so I don't know if this is old news there.

I was a big JCM fan way back when - I liked the fact that he was into JB, among other things, and he's great live (saw him in '86 and '87 when he toured Oz).

Now i'm glad 2 c that he may b finally having some kind of comeback and the song "Our Country" is quite nice if u can avoid a cynical reaction. But that becomes hard to do when he slaps it onto an f-ing truck commercial!!!!! (and a tasteless one at that).

I mean I thought part of his image was his integrity. I haven't followed his career for decades, but I know that in '84 (?) he refused to give Pink Houses to the Reagan campaign, and that he campaigned against GWB in 2004, so what's with this sell-out?

I don't know if any1 here can relate, but seeing as many of us were growing up in the '80s and there r some parallels with the little man (I think JCM's pretty small too...), mayb some of u have some thoughts.

What truck commerical?


I'm hope you're not confusing John with Toby Keith.

John Mellencamp has always been a commercial artist. He's had his critics who've always considered him "Springsteen lite."

But I don't consider it a sellout per se. I've always liked his work, even though I don't own any of it. My favorites are "Jack and Diane," "Hurts So Good," "Cherry Bomb" and "Scarecrow."

Well i understand your point, im a Mellencamp fan from day one, till this day, Im not really bothered by the song being in a commercial because it gets a message more exposure. Back when he did "Pink Houses" and things like that MTV was all over him and his message, but today John couldnt get on MTV unless he was doing some sort of stupid reality show. So im not really bothered at all for being used in a commercial, especially when it was his own doing, now MJ selling Beatle songs for commercials thats a different story.

wasitgood4u said:

JCM was a big Prince fan in the early 80s.When Little Red Corvette came out as a single, he played it on a boombox at one of his concerts.He even asked Prince if he wanted to do the co-lead vocals on Pink Houses, but apparently Prince declined.

I know. It's pretty shocking but will there be a huge pay off? Really? I think he might get a big paycheck but it won't really help the album, which is just kind of sad. I guess that's how it works now of days.

I'm still trying to figure out the commercial


I'm in Indiana so I figured that would push any commerical with John in it hard since he lives in Bloomington.


but I really like him.....

I don't really equate his previous political stances about his music with General Motors. It is a little cheesy though.

I mean i think we get carried away, John is in his later 50's so his Radio Play/Video play days are over, and im sure he knows that, america is all about youth and looks now especially in Music, people could care less. So its not a big deal for John to do something like this, and who knows if GM isnt donating to a charitable fund in his name, to assume sell out for a guy that has done more charitable things than almost anyone around. As for being cheesy well, i mean Prince is singing with penguins now so to each his own.

he is one of the best live performers i've ever seen....probably in my top ten

I agree,I have seen him live and he rocks !!!!

it's a job
i got a job, a house, a car, etc. and i don't consider myself a sell-out

wasitgood4u said:

You have to change with the times man. This is a way for JCM to get his new music played. Radio will only play his old hits, And any new videos he comes out with will only get played on VH1 if he's lucky. I love JCM though. "Minutes To Memories" and "Again Tonight" are a few of my personal favorites.

Yeah, but a truck???
I mean, what about global warming, air pollution, roadkill?
Whoever said it gets the message of the song out, to me it seems that it does the opposite: reduces the message of the song to - Our country, our truck!!!
(BTW, it's on youtube, whoever's looking for it).
I understand that the man's gotta get paid, but I'm sure he could get by nicely just touring even. The question isn't whether he'd get paid but HOW MUCH.

lastdecember said:

actually, last year, BOTH vh1 AND mtv were playing that video from his greatest hits album quite a lot.

wasitgood4u said:

I think Mellencamp should PERSONALLY apologize to you... the bastard!

MartyMcFly said:

U do? Could u tell him please? Orgnote me and I'll send you my mobile number so u can get him 2 call mmmkay?

wasitgood4u said:

Has JCM ever been a big advocate of any of those causes? (Roadkill is a cause? Even the most eco-friendly car in will kill most anything in the road. At least the truck will ensure it dies quickly.)

There's a difference between selling your song to a car company and lending it to the Republican party.

I always thought his image was a bit calculated anyway, though I like his music just fine.

ElCapitan said:

That's why responsible individuals should promote public transport over private vehicles!!!!

wasitgood4u said:

If you are a truck buyer, chances are public transportation won't meet you're truckin needs anyway.

While watching the Colts-Patriots game last night on NBC, I had to see that damn commercial at every break for an hour, hour and a half. Talk about a brilliant drinking game.

bsbd2luvr said:

Here's another: how about every time a coach or announcer says the word "football" during a game/interview.

"We need to move the football up the field."

"We need to play the football that this football team knows how to play"

"This team needs to do more than pass the football. We need to run the football"

"The defensive coach has really taught this team how to play football."
[Edited 11/6/06 13:39pm]