John Mellencamp’s life in 15 songs

I really like this. Anytime an Artist will take time out of their life and give us “common” people a little insight on the songs and the way they came about I find highly interesting and soak it up like a sponge!

It reminds me of a campfire setting and everyone listening to the older wiser man telling the stories for some reason. Anyway, I didn’t write the article for the Rolling Stone so I can’t copy it all here but I encourage you to follow the link and read it. You really can’t beat a guy like John. He is open and honest and gives us small glimpses on how “brass” the record industry can be. He didn’t cover my favorite one though “I ain’t even done with the night”..:(

Here are a few  quotes from the article to wet your whistle though 🙂 Chuck

On “Jack & Diane”

It was 1980, and I was down in Miami again, making a record. We had spent $3oo,ooo, and I had three songs done. The record company was not happy. Finally the president of the company came down and was like, “You’re spending money like crazy!” He went nuts. The three songs were “Jack & Diane,” “Hurts So Good” and “Hand to Hold On To.” He hated them. Hated them! He said, “We expect you to become the next Neil Diamond.
What is this shit?”

JM

On “I Need a Lover”

By the time of “I Need a Lover,” I had three albums out. They sold nothing. We were recording in Miami at the same time that the Eagles were finishing up Hotel California. I would walk by and hear “Life in the Fast Lane,” go back into my session and hear, ‘I need a lover that won’t…” I’d be like, ‘Oh, fuck. I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

JM

And “Peaceful World” (This quote speaks volumes of John’s integrity and what he believes in. I underlined his convictions and applaud him for it! :Editor KA)

I signed to Columbia at this point against my better judgment. On “Peaceful World,” I brought in India.Arie to sing on it. I won’t mention any names, but when this song was delivered to Columbia, one of the executives said, “Why does Mellencamp always have a fuckin’ nigger singing with him?” My manager came back and told me that, and I was like, “Get me of this fucking label. I don’t give a shit. Get me off Columbia right now.”

JM

For the rest of “His life in 15 songs, hit this link.

http://www.mellencamp.com/news.html?n_id=2009