If you don't like these two songs by John Mellencamp you don't like rock-and-roll as a form.
Discuss.
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An idiosyncratic blog dedicated to the precursors, the practioners, and the descendants of power pop. All suggestions for postings and sidebar links welcome, contact any of us.
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7 comments:
In total agreement, Steve. I've been a fan since his eponymous 1979 album. I love how this guy was considered a joke -- Johnny Cougar, fer chrissakes! -- who turned out to be this creative, talented guy. Some vindication for those of us who got on the train early.
Also, check out "What If I Came Knockin'?" When he trails off into "Fa la la la," it's friggin' genius.
He's much mellower now musically, but still doing great stuff. This coming from a guy who's had the whole rocker-goes-acoustic thing up to here.
And he puts on a great live show also!
Captain Al
BTW, folks -- a killer Weekend Listomania goes up tomorrow.
Two things. One is that Mellencamp has always had a knack for songs such as these two. Simple, straightforward, 4-4 story songs with melody, hooks and attitude, with the attitude being that of an outsider.
Second, I too experienced the same shit Mellencamp went through. I was teaching at UMass back in 1980 when my first child was born. As new parents, my wife and I needed more money than I made as a Ph.D. candidate, so I called up my manager back in New York, who told me that he could get me a job at one of the alphabet Radio Nets as an engineer. "Great," I said. "But you're going to have to change your name," my manager said. "Why?" I asked. "Too Jewish," he told me.
So in Summer 1981 I became Markie Cougar, and found myself at ABC Radio Networks. After a few years, though, I discovered that my fellow techs respected me and depended on me, but I no longer respected myself. So I started referring to myself as Mark Cougar Rosenblatt, and by the mid-late 1980s, I dropped the Cougar entirely and became Mark Rosenblatt. Again. And I never looked back.
So John, I KNOW what you went through.
When American Fool came out in the early 80s, I thought it was OK, but nothing great. Around that time, I heard him do Free's "Fire and Water" live, and was blown away. Killer stuff.
Damn! I slept on "Again Tonight" all these years. No more. Thanks! This is why I love this blog and others like it.
Oh yes!! I just downloaded this song! Paid with this: http://www.digitalgp.co.uk/ . I don’t have to worry about security issues with this as my charges go directly to my mobile phone bill xD I have to thank you though. I would probably never have bought it had you not mentioned it in your blog! I knew about it before, but I couldn’t remember its name :3
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