Never Wanted To Be No Pop Singer

I like the two sassy african-american chicks in today's video, but I never really understood the significance or why John Cougar Mellencamp wore white face for the video. Thought it was pretty stupid myself. Here is "Pop Singer"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Pop Singer lyrics

"Pop Singer"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Big Daddy
released: 1989

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

She Calls Me Baby, She Calls Everybody Baby

I hope you enjoyed The Excellent 80's tribute to John Cougar Mellencamp this month with our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" kicking off 2011. Today's song and video from the "Scarecrow" album are easily in my top three of favorite Mellencamp songs. I just like the rhythm and tempo of the song and the cool black and white feel to the video. See you in February, but enjoy "Lonely Ol' Night" on this last day of January 2011...




Lyrics | Mellencamp John Cougar lyrics - Lonely Ol Night lyrics

"Lonely Ol' Night"
by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6
U.S. Mainstream Rock tracks peak: #1

With Drummers Going Crack, Boom, Bam

As we wind down our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" today's song is a tribute to the 60's era of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. But, now, some 25 years later, John Mellencamp is getting the shout outs from some of today's artists that were influenced by him. Here is "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to 60's Rock)"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A lyrics

"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

A Million Young Poets

Our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" rolls on here in The Excellent 80's with John's 1988 hit from "The Lonesome Jubilee" called "Check It Out"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Check It Out lyrics

"Check It Out"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album "The Lonesome Jubilee"
released: 1988

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14

When I Was a Young Boy

Today's song spent 16 weeks in the Billboard top 10 in 1982 and was one of the two songs that really put John Cougar Mellencamp on the national music scene. Still love this song til this day. Here is "Hurts So Good"...




Lyrics | Mellencamp John Cougar lyrics - Hurts So Good lyrics

"Hurts So Good"
Single by John Mellencamp
from the album American Fool
B-side Close Enough
Released 1982
Format 45 record
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 3:37
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp, George M. Green
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

There's a Black Man with a Black Cat

Today's John Cougar Mellencamp video/song was his highest charting single from the "Uh-Huh" album, but ironically enough is probably my least favorite of his hits from that album. Anyway the song reportedly started when John was on his way home to Bloomington, Indiana from the airport and he drove by a little pink house with a man sitting in a chair holding a black cat. He waved and John, and John waved back. Here is "Pink Houses"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Little Pink Houses lyrics

"Pink Houses"
Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album Uh-Huh
B-side Serious Business
Released 1983
Format 7" 45 record
Recorded 1983
Genre Heartland rock, Rock
Length 4:43
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Cougar Mellencamp
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

Sucking On Chili Dogs Outside the Tastee Freeze

Today's video has been featured in The Excellent 80's once before just as a video of the day. It's the song that broke John into the American mainstream and the one I remember hearing as a ten or eleven year old that made me sit up and take notice of this John Cougar Mellencamp guy. The song spent four weeks at #1. Everybody, get ready to clap along, here is "Jack and Diane"...




Lyrics | John Cougar Mellencamp lyrics - Jack And Diane lyrics

"Jack & Diane"
Single by John Mellencamp
from the album American Fool
Released August 1982
Format 45 Record
Recorded 1981
Genre Heartland rock
Length 3:45 (Edit)
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

Blood On the Plow

The guy to the far left cracks me up never saying a word at the beginning of the video then laughing last when the other two start laughing like 'hey these two just said something funny and I better laugh too!'. Here's Mr. Mellencamp again with "Rain on the Scarecrow"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Rain On The Scarecrow lyrics

"Rain on the Scarecrow"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: "Scarecrow"
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21

Some People Ain't No Damn Good

If you are a John Cougar Mellencamp fan I hope you're enjoying our tribute to John as our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" rolls on. Once again from his "Uh-Huh" album, here he is with "Crumblin' Down"




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Crumblin' Down lyrics

"Crumblin' Down"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: "Uh-Huh"
released: 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

That's When a Sport Was a Sport

Today's John Cougar Mellencamp song is my favorite from his "The Lonesome Jubilee" album released in 1987, and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. It's just a real mellow, laid back kind of song done only as John Mellencamp can. Here is "Cherry Bomb"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Cherry Bomb lyrics

"Cherry Bomb"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album "The Lonesome Jubilee"
released: 1987

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8

Still Hayseed Enough to Say Look Who's in the Big Town

Every Monday throughout January we are starting your work week with a little John Cougar Mellencamp as part of The Excellent 80's "John Cougar Mellencamp January." Today's hit is easily one of my favorites from my favorite Mellencamp album entitled "Scarecrow." The video features old footage and photos and just gives you that nostalgic feeling and even makes you wish you were from a "Small Town"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Small Town lyrics

"Small Town"

Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album Scarecrow
B-side "Small Town" (acoustic version)
Released November 2, 1985
Format 7"
Recorded Belmont Mall Studio, 1985
Genre Rock and Roll, Roots rock
Length 3:42
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp
Producer John Mellencamp, Don Gehman

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6

She Had a Dream, and Boy It Was a Good One

Our "John Cougar Mellencamp January" continues today with one of John's top ten hits from The Lonesome Jubilee album. According to the all-knowing, never wrong Wikipedia, today's song is "a cautionary tale concerned with the cost of chasing our dreams." Apparently one of John's chases recently has been Meg Ryan coming on the heels of his separation of his wife of 20 years. John and Meg have been spotted at various hangouts recently leading to speculation about their relationship. Anyway, here is "Paper in Fire"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Paper In Fire lyrics

"Paper in Fire"
by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: The Lonesome Jubilee
released: 1987

U.S Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9

I Feel Sorry for the World, I Feel Sorry for You

I don't really feel sorry for you, but back in 1985 when John Mellencamp slid this little track into his "Scarecrow" album he did feel sorry for you and for the world. In my opinion, one of his most underrated tracks is today's featured video in our "John Cougar Mellencamp January." Overshadowed by bigger hits like "Small Town," "Lonely Ol' Night," and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," here is one of my personal favorites from that same album - it's the short three minute song "Rumbleseat"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Rumbleseat lyrics

"Rumbleseat"

by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album: Scarecrow
released: 1985

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28

It's a John Cougar Mellencamp January

Welcome once again to 2011! My how the time has flown. For the month of January we are featuring the one and only John Cougar Mellencamp. So, throughout The Excellent 80's "John Cougar Mellencamp January" you will see most of John's biggest hits and his best videos. We're kicking it off with one of his biggest hits from his "Uh-Huh" album in 1983 and a staple on MTV for a long time. We could all relate when we were in our youth back in the 80's, because it always seemed like when we fought authority, authority always won. Here is "Authority Song"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - Authority Song lyrics

"Authority Song"

by John Mellencamp
from the album "Uh-Huh"
released 1983

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

Little Ditty About ...

Amazing that today's video has never made it into The Excellent 80's especially since it is one of the most recognizable songs of the 80's and includes the iconic line "Suckin' on a chili dog outside the Tastefreeze,"... you know what I'm talking about... break out your white gloves and hold onto 16 as long as you can... it's then John Cougar, but now John Mellencamp telling you that life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone... spending four weeks at #1 here is the little ditty about "Jack and Diane"...



John Mellencamp - Jack and Diane
Uploaded by jpdc11. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.


Lyrics | John Cougar lyrics - Jack & Diane lyrics

"Jack & Diane"
Single by John Mellencamp
from the album American Fool
Released 1982
Format 45 Record
Recorded 1982
Genre Heartland rock
Length 3:45 (Edit)
Label Riva Records
Writer(s) John Mellencamp

U.S. Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Now They're Getting Divorced

That's how the song should go... I mean if mommy is kissing Santa Claus and cheating on daddy, this marriage is over! Alright, I'm taking it a bit too far, and I do love John's little daughter (I think it's his daughter, maybe someone can confirm for me) singing out the song at the end of the video... so enjoy John Cougar Mellancamp from 1987 and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"...




Lyrics | John Mellencamp lyrics - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus lyrics

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

by John Cougar Mellancamp
released: 1987
from the album: "A Very Special Christmas"

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

Recently named as inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I had to go with a double header today - Madonna and John Mellancamp here on the Excellent 80's...

Love the lion, hate the dude wearing the lion mask - kind of creepy... "Like A Virgin"...

Madonna - Like A Virgin (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Like A Virgin, Madonna (entertainer)

Like A Virgin Lyrics

Here's her MTV performance that had everyone talking back in the day... i had forgotten all about the big cake...


Madonna - Like A Virgin Live From The Mtv Video Mu… - MyVideo

"Like a Virgin"

from the album Like a Virgin
B-side "Stay"
Released November 6, 1984
Format 12" single
CD single
Genre Pop
Length 3:38 (Album Version)
3:11 (Edit Version) From "The Immaculate Collection"
Label Sire, Warner Bros.
Writer Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly
Producer Nile Rodgers
Certification Gold

U.S. Billboard Hot 100: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay: #1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales: #1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary: #29
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks: #9
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play: #1


I'm digging the chaps in this video, Johnny... that and the chicks in leather and chains... "Hurts So Good"...




Hurts So Good Lyrics

"Hurts So Good"

Single by John Cougar
from the album American Fool
B-side Close Enough
Released 1982
Format 45 record
Recorded 1982
Genre Rock
Length 3:37
Label Riva Records
Writer John Cougar, George M. Green
Producer John Cougar, Don Gehman

US Hot 100 Peak: #2