John Mellencamp, A Retrospective: 1978-2023

John Mellencamp A Retrospective: 1978-2023

Overview: Born in Seymour, Indiana, on October 7, 1951, John Mellencamp became one of the most important figures in heartland rock, a subset of classic rock which embraced Midwestern values. He first recorded under the name Johnny Cougar and later as John Cougar and eventually under his given name. He first found success with “I Need a Lover” in 1978 and had his major commercial breakthrough with 1982’s chart-topping American Fool and hit singles “Hurts So Good” and “Jack and Diane.” From 1982 to 1987, Mellencamp recorded four multi-platinum, top-10 albums, each yielding at least two top-10 hits, including “Pink Houses,” “Small Town,” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” After 1987, he only reached the top-ten one more time with a cover of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night” in 1994 but he still often turned out albums which reached the top ten and/or went platinum. Links DMDB encyclopedia entry for John Mellencamp Mellencamp.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia DMDB list: John Mellencamp: Top 100 Songs DMDB podcast: John Mellencamp, 1976-2001 DMDB podcast: John Mellencamp, 2003-2023 (The 21st Century Woody Guthrie)

Awards

Studio Albums

Compilations BD The Best That I Could Do (1978-1988, released 1997) WM Words & Music: Greatest Hits (1978-2004, released 2004) MC The Millennium Collection: The 20th Century Masters (1982-2004, released 2007) Live Albums LS Lonely Street (recorded 1984, released 2021) Under each album snapshot below, songs featured on the above anthologies and live albums are noted with the raised letter codes. Click for codes to charts.

Chestnut Street Incident Johnny Cougar

Released: October 1, 1976 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): 0.18 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 1.563 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings)

Tracks: American Dream [2:21] (single, --) Oh Pretty Woman [2:54] Jailhouse Rock [2:11] Dream Killing Town [3:20] Supergirl [2:37] Chestnut Street [3:18] (9/76, --) Good Girls [3:09] Do You Believe in Magic? [2:38] Twentieth Century Fox [2:14] Chestnut Street Revisited [5:22] Sad Lady [3:26] Total Running Time: 33:42 About the Album: On his debut album, John Mellencamp (then known as Johnny Cougar) tackles covers of Roy Orbison (“Oh Pretty Woman”), Elvis Presley (“Jailhouse Rock”), the Lovin’ Spoonful (“Do You Believe in Magic?”), and the Doors (“Twentieth Century Fox”). The album is little more than a curiosity to devoted fans as it offers little insight into the future rock and roll hall of famer.

The Kid Inside Johnny Cougar

Recorded: 1977 Released: 1/27/1983 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): 0.28 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 1.500 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Tracks: Kid Inside [5:32] Take What You Want [3:14] Cheap Shot [3:53] Sidewalk and Streetlights [4:08] R. Gang [2:30] American Son [4:52] Gearhead [2:38] Young Genocides [2:26] Too Young to Live [7:45] Survive [4:09] About the Album: Mellencamp’s debut album, Chestnut Street Incident, did so poorly that the follow-up, The Kid Inside, wasn’t even released until 1983 after Mellencamp hit the big time with 1982’s American Fool. It’s an unnecessary album in Mellencamp’s discography for anyone other than completists.

A Biography Johnny Cougar

Released: March 6, 1978 Peak: -- US, -- UK, 19 CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.03 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 2.496 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Tracks: Born Reckless [4:35] Factory [3:02] (5/31/1978, --) Night Slumming [4:40] (9/22/1978, --) Taxi Dancer [4:05] (1978, --) I Need a Lover [5:37] (4/12/1978, 28 US, 32 CB, 27 GR, 35 HR, 5 AU, 2 DF) LS, BD, WM Alley of the Angels [3:58] High C Cherrie [4:58] Where the Sidewalk Ends [3:56] Let Them Run Your Lives [5:55] Goodnight [2:05] About the Album: This was the third album recorded by John Mellencamp, then known as Johnny Cougar. It didn’t get released in the U.S. because of poor sales of his 1976 debut, Chestnut Street Incident. His second album, The Kid Inside, was recorded in 1977, but wasn’t released until after the success of 1982’s American Fool. The song “I Need a Lover” became a top-ten hit in Australia and was included on his next American album, John Cougar.

John Cougar John Cougar

Released: July 27, 1979 Peak: 64 US, -- UK, 77 CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.75 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.423 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks: A Little Night Dancin’ [3:43] (4/19/80, 49 CL) Small Paradise [3:40] (1/26/80, 87 BB, 93 CB, 76 HR, 43 CL) Miami [3:53] (1979, 31 AU) Great Mid-West [4:29] Do You Think That’s Fair [4:48] I Need a Lover [5:37] (4/12/1978, 28 US, 32 CB, 27 GR, 35 HR, 5 AU, 2 DF) LS, BD, WM Welcome to Chinatown [3:59] Sugar Marie [4:16] Pray for Me [3:30] Taxi Dancer [5:02] (1978, --) About the Album: This was Mellencamp’s first album with Riva Records and his first to be released under the name John Cougar. The album included “I Need a Lover” and a re-worked version of “Taxi Dancer,” both songs initially featured on A Biography, which wasn’t released in the U.S. The single “Miami” hit #31 in Australia and “Small Paradise” hit #87 in the U.S., but neither song was featured on The Best That I Can Do.

Nothin’ Matters and What if It Did John Cougar

Released: September 15, 1980 Peak: 37 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 1.25 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.308 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Tracks: Hot Night in a Cold Town [3:47] (1981, --) Ain’t Even Done with the Night [4:38] (1/31/81, 17 US, 15 CB, 15 GR, 22 HR, 16 RR, 4 CL, 44 AR, 15 CN, 9 DF) BD, WM Don’t Misunderstand Me [3:33] This Time [4:18] (9/20/80, 27 US, 28 CB, 27 GR, 36 HR, 15 CL, 43 AU, 17 DF) WM Make Me Feel [4:04] To M.G. (Wherever She May Be) [4:50] Tonight [3:17] Cry Baby [0:25] Wild Angel [3:13] Peppermint Twist [0:28] Cheap Shot [3:00] About the Album: Mellencamp (still going by the name John Cougar at the time) followed up the success of “I Need a Lover” with two more top-40 hits from this album. “This Time” hit #27 and “Ain’t Even Done with the Night,” featured on The Best That I Can Do, became Mellencamp’s first top-20 hit.

American Fool John Cougar

Released: April 12, 1982 Peak: 19 US, 37 UK, 13 CN, 18 AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 5.75 US, -- UK, 6.25 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic heartland rock Rating: 3.986 out of 5.00 (average of 27 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Hurts So Good LS, BD, WM Jack and Diane LS, BD, WM, MC Hand to Hold Onto LS, WM Danger List Can You Take It Thundering Hearts China Girl Close Enough Weakest Moments About the Album: John Cougar hit the big time with American Fool, which hit the top of the Billboard album chart in the U.S. and gave him two top-10 hits as well as a top-20 hit with “Hand to Hold Onto,” the latter of which isn’t on The Best That I Could Do. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Uh-Huh John Cougar Mellencamp

Released: October 23, 1983 Peak: 9 US, 92 UK, 9 CN, 57 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 3.30 US, -- UK, 3.30 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.127 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Crumblin’ Down LS, BD, WM Pink Houses LS, BD, WM, MC Authority Song LS, BD, WM Warmer Place to Sleep Jackie O LS Play Guitar LS Serious Business LS Lovin’ Mother Fo Ya Golden Gates LS After the success of American Fool, Mellencamp came right back the next year with another multi-platinum, top-10 album featuring two more top-10 hits and another top-20 hit. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Lonely Street John Cougar Mellencamp

Recorded: 1984 (live) Released: May 24, 2021 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: classic rock Rating: NA

Tracks: (1) Heartbreak Hotel (2) Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (3) Pretty Ballerina (4) Ya Ya (5) Jack and Diane (6) Crumblin’ Down (7) Hand to Hold Onto (8) Authority Song (9) I Need a Lover (10) Play Guitar (11) Pink Houses (12) band introductions (13) Golden Gates (14) Shoot Out the Lights (15) Serious Business (16) Hurts So Good (17) Jackie O About the Album: This live document of Mellencamp in the mid-‘80s offers up glimpses of him performing some of his earliest favorites in concert. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Heartbreak Hotel LS Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood LS Pretty Ballerina LS Ya Ya LS Shoot Out the Lights LS

Scarecrow John Cougar Mellencamp

Released: August 5, 1985 Peak: 2 US, -- UK, 2 CN, 2 AU, 14 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 5.4 US, 0.50 UK, 6.68 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.402 out of 5.00 (average of 31 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Rain on the Scarecrow WM Grandma’s Theme Small Town BD, WM, MC Minutes to Memories Lonely Ol’ Night BD, WM The Face of the Nation Justice and Independence ‘85 Between a Laugh and a Tear Rumbleseat WM You’ve Got to Stand for Somethin’ R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. BD, WM, MC The Kind of Fella I Am About the Album: While it didn’t top the album chart (it peaked at #2), Scarecrow matched the five-million mark in sales he’d previously reached with American Fool. With three top-10 hits, this was his most successful album in terms of singles. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

The Lonesome Jubilee John Cougar Mellencamp

Released: August 24, 1987 Peak: 6 US, 31 UK, 18 CN, 2 AU, 14 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 3.5 US, -- UK, 4.24 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.306 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Paper in Fire BD, WM Down and Out in Paradise Check It Out BD, WM The Real Life Cherry Bomb BD, WM, MC We Are the People Empty Hands Hard Times for an Honest Man Hotdogs and Hamburgers Rooty Toot Toot About the Album: For the fourth time, Mellencamp delivered a top-10, multi-platinum album with at least two top-10 hits. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

The Best That I Could Do John Mellencamp

Recorded: 1978-1988 + 1 new song Released: November 18, 1997 Peak: 33 US, 25 UK, 9 CN, 5 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): 3.25 US Genre: classic heartland rock Rating: 4.588 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) I Need a Lover (2) Ain’t Even Done with the Night (3) Hurts So Good (4) Jack and Diane (5) Crumblin’ Down (6) Pink Houses (7) Authority Song (8) Lonely Ol’ Night (9) Small Town (10) R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (11) Paper in Fire (12) Cherry Bomb (13) Check It Out (14) Without Expression Total Running Time: 58:51 Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Without Expression (11/29/97, 40 GR, 25 AR, 14 CN) BD About the Album: After 1996’s Mr. Happy Go Lucky, John Mellencamp left Mercury Records for Columbia. Naturally Mercury wanted to capitalize on the singer’s years with them and released a compilation. However, the set inexplicably opted to ignore the 1989-1996 years. The fact that they opted to have the set stop after 1987’s The Lonesome Jubilee makes some sense in that it marked the end of his multi-platinum days, but considering that all his 1989-1996 studio albums reached platinum status and produced a fair amont of hits as well, it seemed obvious that there should be a second volume. Still, there’s no arguing with what’s here. There are nine top-10 hits, including his #1 hit Jack and Diane from 1982. Even then, though, with a running time just shy of an hour, there’s room for four or five more cuts and stay under the CD cap length. The most notable absences include “This Time,” “Hand to Hold Onto,” “Rain on the Scarecrow,” and “Rumbleseat,” all top-40 hits in the U.S. They would, however, be included on the 2004 set Words & Music. The set also includes one new song, Mellencamp’s recording of the Terry Reid song “Without Expression.” It makes for an odd edition as it was recorded a decade after everything else on the compilation. An archival recording, B-side, live cut, or alternate version of a song would have made more sense. Note: The Japanese edition of the album included “Miami” and “Under the Boardwalk.”

Big Daddy John Cougar Mellencamp

Released: May 9, 1989 Peak: 7 US, 25 UK, 3 CN, 11 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.70 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.754 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Big Daddy of Them All To Live Martha Say WM Theo and Weird Henry Jackie Brown WM, MC Pop Singer WM Void in My Heart Mansions in Heaven Sometimes a Great Notion Country Gentleman J.M.’s Question Let It All Hang Out About the Album: After four multi-platinum albums which featured at least two top-ten hits each, Big Daddy marked a slight commercial decline. The album still sold a million copies but didn’t feature any top-ten hits. In fact, “Pop Singer” (an ironic commentary on not wanting to be commercial) was the only song to reach the Top 40, peaking at #15. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Whenever We Wanted John Mellencamp

Released: October 8, 1991 Peak: 17 US, 39 UK, 8 CN, 3 AU, 4 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.10 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.879 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Tracks: Get a Leg Up (10/4/91, 14 US, 13 CB, 12 GR, 19 RR, 13 AR, 14 DF) WM, MC Love and Happiness (11/2/91, 5 AR, 20 DF) WM Again Tonight (1/24/92, 36 US, 13 CB, 16 GR, 18 RR, 46 AC, 12 AR, 10 DF) WM Now More Than Ever (4/4/92, 31 GR, 3 AR, 24 DF) WM Last Chance (7/4/92, 12 AR, 17 DF) About the Album: After five consecutive top-ten albums, Whenever We Wanted was Mellencamp’s first effort to miss the top 10 (it peaked at #17) since 1980’s Nothin’ Matters and What if It Did. It did, however, produce two top-40 hits. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Human Wheels John Mellencamp

Released: September 7, 1993 Peak: 7 US, 37 UK, 6 CN, 7 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.30 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.052 out of 5.00 (average of 23 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: What if I Came Knocking (7/24/93, 12 AR, 10 DF) WM Human Wheels (9/3/93, 48 US, 40 CB, 12 GR, 19 RR, 40 AC, 3 DF) WM When Jesus Left Birmingham (12/18/93, 35 AR, 8 DF) WM Junior (2/5/94, 35 AR, 16 DF) About the Album: Mellencamp found himself back in the top-ten with Human Wheels, his ninth consecutive platinum album, although it was his first album since 1977’s The Kid Inside to fail to generate a top-40 hit. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Dance Naked John Mellencamp

Released: June 21, 1994 Peak: 13 US, -- UK, 17 CN, 6 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.10 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.846 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Wild Night (with Me’shell Ndegeocello) (5/21/94, 3 US, 4 CB, 2 GR, 3 RR, 18 AC, 17 AR, 34 UK, 13, 3 DF) WM Dance Naked (10/15/94, 41 US, 25 CB, 7 GR, 18 RR, 37 AC, 21 AR, 5 DF) WM About the Album: Mellencamp’s tenth consecutive platinum album featured his first chart entry of a cover. His take on “Wild Night,” originally by Van Morrison, put him back in the top-ten for the first time since 1987’s “Cherry Bomb.” In fact, from a chart standpoint it was his fourth biggest hit after “Jack and Diane” (#1), “Hurts So Good” (#2), and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” (#2). Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Mr. Happy Go Lucky John Mellencamp

Released: September 10, 1996 Peak: 9 US, 82 UK, 11 CN, 11 AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.695 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) (8/9/96, 14 US, 13 CB, 5 GR, 9 RR, 15 AC, 4 A40, 16 AA, 10 AR, 15 CN, 10 DF) WM, MC Just Another Day (11/2/96, 46 US, 15 GR, 23 RR, 24 AC, 13 A40, 2 AA, 13 AR, 12 CN, 20 DF) WM About the Album: Mellencamp’s fourteenth studio album was his tenth and final studio album to reach platinum status. It was his seventh album to reach the top 10, fueled by the top-20 hit “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First).” Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

John Mellencamp John Mellencamp

Released: October 6, 1998 Peak: 41 US, 108 UK, 37 CN, 41 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.65 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.475 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks: Your Life Is Now (9/11/98, 62 US, 23 GR, 32 RR, 19 AC, 23 A40, 5 AA, 15 AR, 16 DF) WM I’m Not Running Anymore (2/6/99, 22 AC, 22 A40, 11 AA, 37 AR, 16 DF) WM About the Album: Neither of the two singles from John Mellencamp’s self-titled debut with Columbia Records managed their way into the Billboard Top 40 and the album missed top-ten and platinum status. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Cuttin’ Heads John Mellencamp

Released: October 16, 2001 Peak: 15 US, -- UK, -- CN, 131 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.55 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.522 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

Tracks: Peaceful World (with India.Arie) (9/8/01, 27 AC, 11 A40, 15 AA, 38 AR, 9 DF) WM, MC About the Album: For Mellencamp’s second studio album with Columbia, it was becoming clear that his top-40 heyday years were behind him. However, he now found a home at adult-oriented radio stations, going all the way to #1 on the adult alternative chart with “Peaceful World.” Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Trouble No More John Mellencamp

Released: June 3, 2003 Peak: 31 US, -- UK, 159 CN, -- AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.23 US Genre: blues/rock covers Rating: 3.488 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: To Washington (2003, --) Teardrops Will Fall (2003, --) WM About the Album: Mellencamp’s early albums had mixed originals alongside covers, but this was his first foray into an album of all covers of blues and folk songs. Most notable were his covers of Robert Johnson’s “Stones in My Passway” and a reworking of the traditional “To Washington” with lyrics critical of President George W. Bush. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Words & Music: Greatest Hits John Mellencamp

Recorded: 1978-2004 Released: October 19, 2004 Peak: 13 US, 93 AU Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Genre: classic heartland rock Rating: 4.567 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) Walk Tall (2) Pink Houses (3) Lonely Ol’ Night (4) Jackie Brown (5) Rain on the Scarecrow (6) Love and Happiness (7) Check It Out (8) Peaceful World (9) Paper in Fire (10) Your Life Is Now (11) Human Wheels (12) When Jesus Left Birmingham (13) Authority Song (14) What if I Came Knocking (15) Crumblin’ Down (16) Small Town (17) R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (18) Cherry Bomb (19) Pop Singer Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Thank You (2) Martha Say (3) Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) (4) Hand to Hold Onto (5) I Need a Lover (6) Hurts So Good (7) Get a Leg Up (8) Wild Night (9) Dance Naked (10) Teardrops Will Fall (11) Ain’t Even Done with the Night (12) Just Another Day (13) Jack and Diane (14) Rumbleseat (15) I’m Not Running Anymore (16) Again Tonight (17) This Time (18) Now More Than Ever Total Running Time: 147:41 About the Album: Mellencamp’s first compilation did an excellent job gathering the most notable songs from the first decade of his career. This collection upped the ante with a two-disc collection that covered those years plus selections from eight more studio albums. A companion to The Best That I Could Do which focused just on his material from 1989 would have been more welcome, but this does offer a one-stop shop for anyone who skipped the first set. Sadly, the material is not organized chronologically, which is nearly always the preferable way to go with anthologies. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Walk Tall (8/29/04, 25 AC, 26 A40, 3 AA, 16 DF) WM, MC Thank You WM

The Millennium Collection: The 20th Century Masters John Mellencamp

Recorded: 1982-2004 Released: October 23, 2007 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): 0.08 US Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.980 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Walk Tall (2) Peaceful World (3) Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) (4) Get a Leg Up (5) Jackie Brown (6) Cherry Bomb (7) Small Town (8) R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (9) Pink Houses (10) Jack and Diane About the Album: This is a completely unnecessary compilation. Listeners are much better off with the single-disc collection The Best That I Could Do or the double-disc anthology Words & Music.

Freedom’s Road John Mellencamp

Released: January 23, 2007 Peak: 5 US, -- UK, 145 CN, -- AU, 14 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.30 US, -- UK, 0.43 world (includes US and UK) Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.494 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Someday Ghost Towns Along the Highway The Americans Forgiveness Freedom’s Road Jim Crow Our Country Rural Route My Aeroplane Heaven Is a Lonely Place Rodeo Clown * * unlisted track About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Life, Death, Love and Freedom John Mellencamp

Released: July 15, 2008 Peak: 7 US, 162 UK, 21 AU Sales (in millions): 0.18 US, -- UK, 0.34 world (includes US and UK) Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.778 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Longest Days My Sweet Love If I Die Sudden Troubled Land Young Without Lovers John Cockers Don’t Need This Body A Ride Back Home Without a Shot Jena Mean County Fair For the Children A Brand New Song About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

No Better Than This John Mellencamp

Released: August 17, 2010 Peak: 10 US, 138 UK, -- CN, 83 AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.820 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Save Some Time to Dream [4:30] The West End [3:58] Right Behind Me [4:00] A Graceful Fall [3:20] No Better Than This [3:12] (6/28/10, --) Thinking About You [3:28] Coming Down the Road [4:45] No One Cares About Me [6:11] Love at First Sight [4:37] Don’t Forget About Me [3:14] Each Day of Sorrow [2:36] Easter Eve [6:30] Clumsy Ol’ World [3:29] About the Album: Comments here. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Plain Spoken John Mellencamp

Released: September 23, 2014 Peak: 18 US, 169 UK, 19 CN Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.233 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Troubled Man [4:14] (8/19/14, --) Sometimes There’s God [4:34] The Isolation of Mister [5:35] The Company of Cowards [3:52] Tears in Vain [3:53] The Brass Ring [5:37] Freedom of Speech [3:53] Blue Charlotte [4:40] The Courtesy of Kings [3:33] Lawless Times [3:52] About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Sad Clowns & Hillbillies John Mellencamp

Released: April 28, 2017 Peak: 11 US, 78 UK Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.530 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Mobile Blues [3:02] Battle of Angels [3:56] Grandview (with Martina McBride) [3:52] (2/24/17, --) Indigo Sunset (with Carlene Carter) [3:31] What Kind of Man Am I (with Carlene Carter) [4:06] All Night Talk Radio [5:08] Sugar Hill Mountain (with Carlene Carter) [3:05] You Are Blind [3:18] Damascus Road (with Carlene Carter) [4:13] Early Bird Café [4:06] Sad Clowns [2:40] My Soul’s Got Wings (with Carlene Carter) [2:58] Easy Target [2:45] (1/19/17, --) About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Strictly a One-Eyed Jack John Mellencamp

Released: January 21, 2022 Peak: 196 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.299 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: I Always Lie to Strangers [3:36] Driving in the Rain [3:25] I Am a Man That Worries [4:33] Streets of Galilee [2:49] Sweet Honey Brown [5:18] Did You Say Such a Thing (with Bruce Springsteen) [3:39] (1/21/22, --) Gone So Soon [3:31] Wasted Days (with Bruce Springsteen) [4:31] (9/29/21, --) Simply a One-Eyed Jack [4:41] Chasing Rainbows [3:27] (12/10/21, --) Lie to Me A Life Full of Rain (with Bruce Springsteen) [5:27] About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Orpheus Descending John Mellencamp

Released: June 16, 2023 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU, 15 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Americana Rating: 3.797 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: A Total Running Time: -- About the Album: Comments here. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Resources/References: Wikipedia page on The Best That I Could Do Wikipedia page on Words & Music: Greatest Hits Related DMDB Links: First posted 9/17/2020; last updated 2/16/2026.