John Mellencamp Has A Tantrum and Walks Off Stage

[marvin martian]

I don't really know who this person is aside from the Jack and Diane song, but why did they get so upset? They were supposed to be playing and singing songs, not doing whatever the heck that they were doing.

Who let him go on stage wearing that??

 

[Road Runner]

Who let him go on stage wearing that??

His parole officer?

 

[odanny]

Look at this lineup of musical talent, it was Mellencamp and Willie Nelson who put all this together.

The Concert Stage - Farm Aid 1985

 

[MisterBeale]

He's a total bore and so is his dipshit daughter.

Wow.

I had no idea.

She is, indeed, mighty vapid.

 

[The Duke]

Who let him go on stage wearing that??

The State?

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Not really, it was about "people just continue on and are happy with what they earn". I've read him state it himself, it doesn't matter even how Mellencamp himself tries to revise history, because it's en vogue.

This line encapsulates it all "and there's winners, and there's losers, but that aint no big deal. Cause the simple man, baby, pays for thrills, the bills, the pills that kill."

Springsteen pulled the same B.S with Born in the U.S.A. At the time he heralded it quite differently than he does years later. Like a painter who cuts his own ear off because he wants to be defiant and different, these guys lose their character. Look at Neil Young, yeah a real rebel, he is protesting what exactly? Free Speech? Then he comes whimpering back.

Wake up America. Fix things. Dont just break something different.

Not even close.

"The chipper hand claps and generally groovy tone is deceiving. In observing one man’s existence, he takes great issue with American life, at large. In fact, he has stated the song isn’t what many think it is. “This one has been misconstrued over the years because of the chorus – it sounds very rah-rah. But it’s really an anti-American song,” he told Rolling Stone in the same interview. “The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in.."

Behind The Song: John Mellencamp, “Pink Houses”

Written by John Mellencamp Videos by American Songwriter The most trivial encounters can lead to great songwriting observations. Years ago, ‘80s rock icon John Mellencamp was driving along Interstate 65, weaving his way through Indianapolis, when he spotted a black man holding a black cat while...

americansongwriter.com

 

[Road Runner]

The State?

Lol possibly, but I like my answer better.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Not even close.

"The chipper hand claps and generally groovy tone is deceiving. In observing one man’s existence, he takes great issue with American life, at large. In fact, he has stated the song isn’t what many think it is. “This one has been misconstrued over the years because of the chorus – it sounds very rah-rah. But it’s really an anti-American song,” he told Rolling Stone in the same interview. “The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in.."

Behind The Song: John Mellencamp, “Pink Houses”

Written by John Mellencamp Videos by American Songwriter The most trivial encounters can lead to great songwriting observations. Years ago, ‘80s rock icon John Mellencamp was driving along Interstate 65, weaving his way through Indianapolis, when he spotted a black man holding a black cat while...

americansongwriter.com

Yes, the meaning changes over time. They are opportunists who wrap themselves in the red, white and blue if it will sell more albums and then shift if it is safe to do so.

Check out older interviews. I've seen them as a kid but couldnt possibly find them all.

From a book, notice the non-descriptive:

As he cruised along an overpass, he looked down and saw a black man sitting with a cat in his arms on the front porch of his weathered, pink shotgun shack. The Interstate ran within feet of the man’s front yard, but he didn’t seem disturbed by the commotion around him. “He waved, and I waved back,” Mellencamp told Rolling Stone. “That’s how [“Pink Houses”] started.”

I remember he was part of an MTV giveaway of a Pink House or something back in the day. This was when MTV was very new. Does that sound like a guy who was making a statement? Sure, he may be playing with words, double entendres etc, but the lyrics and chorus don't suggest it is a criticism. More of a "SImple Man" by Skynard.

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

Yes, the meaning changes over time. They are opportunists who wrap themselves in the red, white and blue if it will sell more albums and then shift if it is safe to do so.

Check out older interviews. I've seen them as a kid but couldnt possibly find them all.

From a book, notice the non-descriptive:

Nothing changed over time. I remember an interview he did with MTV back in the 80's shortly before Farm Aid. He said the same thing about the meaning of the song back then....people being left behind in the whole "American Dream" concept. That and the myriad of family farms that were being foreclosed on because of the rise of the corporate farm. I remember he took Reagan to task for trying to co-opt the song, complaining mightily that "rah-rah" wasn't what it was about.

 

[Michelle420]

Wow.

I had no idea.

She is, indeed, mighty vapid.

yep

 

[petro]

I can never listen to the song again...

 

[The Duke]

Wow.

I had no idea.

She is, indeed, mighty vapid.

Is she the "Friday" girl?

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

I can never listen to the song again...

Are there any Tastee Freez's left in the US?

 

[The Duke]

Are there any Tastee Freez's left in the US?

Probably not.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Nothing changed over time. I remember an interview he did with MTV back in the 80's shortly before Farm Aid. He said the same thing about the meaning of the song back then....people being left behind in the whole "American Dream" concept. That and the myriad of family farms that were being foreclosed on because of the rise of the corporate farm. I remember he took Reagan to task for trying to co-opt the song, complaining mightily that "rah-rah" wasn't what it was about.

Yet, he doesn't trust government at all and suggests he is a socialist.

If he were living this dream he would be penniless and playing on street corners to make ends meet.

I never saw such interviews at that time. Maybe I didn't pay attention as much, but, he profited handsomely from the rah-rah and would not have if he were viewed as political, something he tries to distance himself from.

If he was trying to convey what you state, only a couple of lines only lend to that and even then, it is more of ignorance "he thinks he's got it so good" and "what do they know, know know"? Meanwhile talking about vacationing etc. Quite a rare luxury in socialist country you can be certain.

He profited off of those times as far as I am concerned, without question. Springsteen far more though, I mean, the hypocrisy is a bit much. Hell, the cover for Born in the USA is a massive U.S flag.

 

[Blaster]

I didn't know he was still performing.

 

[MisterBeale]

Is she the "Friday" girl?

THAT the Friday girl at least attempts something resembling creative contribution to society?

Worse? John's offspring is a "real housewife"

 

[hjmick]

THAT the Friday girl at least attempts something resembling creative contribution to society?

Worse? John's offspring is a "real housewife"

I had no idea they did a Real Housewives of the Trailer Park...

 

[Natural Citizen]

I've never even liked his music.

 

[Road Runner]

I've never even liked his music.

Can't dislike what I don't know much about.