I've been digging his music lately, especially "Cherry Bomb" and "Check it Out".

This guy is very, very good and very, very underrated. I wish the '80's radio stations would pick up on jams other than "Jack and Diane" some time.

I learned every song, note-for-note, from "Scarecrow" 20 years ago, and I still put that CD on from time-to-time and play it on guitar all the way through. A true American rock classic album.

CHERRY BOMB


CHECK IT OUT (live!)


SMALL TOWN

Dang, this guy's stuff is just SO good, and SO much fun to play on a guitar:

KEY WEST INTERMEZZO (I Saw You First)


PAPER IN FIRE


AIN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT

[Edited 7/27/08 18:29pm]

Okay, now THIS is something I can co-sign, Rodeo. John Cougar is one soulful mofo. My favorites by him are Paper in Fire and Wild Night.

I've known his longtime backup singer, Pat Peterson for years. She's STILL gorgeous after all these years in the business. Pat's in the Paper in Fire video playing the banjo and in the Check It Out video playing tambourine. She also sang with Ray Charles as a Raelette. Pat lives in Dallas and is a well-known lounge singer around town and performs weekly at Sambuca's. Pat's AMAZING.




I also Pink Houses.



Okay, but THIS right here is my ALL TIME favorite by Johnny Cougar.


[Edited 7/27/08 19:42pm]

I fight authority, authority always wins...

He killed this song at the HOF introduction...sadly, it's about the only song
I can get into of his, ok, maybe a couple of more (only)

I've always liked him I have a few songs of his on my IPod - no real albums but one greatest hits. Plus he's kinda cute.

i looove jack and Diane!!!!!

.
[Edited 7/28/08 1:35am]

He's virtually unheard of in the UK but i love his music. Scarecrow is his best album although i really liked Freedom's Road from 2007. Ive not yet picked up his newie. I know he made a video to the song Miami and that is a hoot! i love the song and the clip always cracks me up.

CalhounSq said:

He was kinda cute in his younger days. Has dude stopped smoking yet?

Cherry Bomb is one of his best. I remember starting a thread on it a while back and it quickly nose-dived without a response. Musta been the messenger.

Mellencamp has made so many songs that I love that it's hard for me to even remember them all.

I love "Big Daddy"--the album, which contains gems like "Big Daddy", "Jackie Brown" and "Mansions in Heaven".


Other songs I love are Rumble Seat, Scarecrow, Cherry Bomb, Lonely Ole Night, Ain't even done with the night, Jack & Diane, Key West Intermezzo, Peaceful World, Void in My Heart, Hurts so Good, Pink Houses, R.O.C.K in the USA, Dance Naked, Human Wheels, When Jesus Left Birmingham, and so many more.


A truly great song writer. None of his songs are flashy, stretch the envelope on anything, etc. etc.... But they all speak honestly.

'Love Mellencamp

RipHer2Shreds said:

He was TOO sexy in the crumbling down video, which I posted above. Reminded me of Mick Jagger, but actually cute. John can really dance.

WORD TO MUTHA!! been saying this for decades, Mellencamp since 1985's "scarecrow" has EASILY been the most consistent artist with his albums and causes. It kills me when i see threads on artists where people are giving LEGEND props to , and they have done 2-3 albums and nothing else. Sorry but you need to prove yourself through time. Mellencamps latest just continues to show why he is one of the best songwriters of all time and has EARNED his spot in the Dylan class.

Btw in Mellencamps "cherry bomb" video he featured a white woman dancing with a black man which was unheard of back in the mid 80's, especially on the "screen", Mellencamp recieved various death threats from the KKK during that albums tour because of it.

And hes got an EYE for talent. He worked with Heather Headley before anyone, India Arie before she got signed, Crystal was his percussionist during the 80's before everyone used her in their band, of course MESHELL worked with john on the advice of the late Tim White who said "you have to work this lady, shes the best of this generation".
[Edited 7/28/08 13:50pm]