John Mellencamp's Top 100 Songs

John Mellencamp Top 100 Songs

America’s premiere heartland rocker was born on October 7, 1951. With his version of straightforward heartland rock and roll in the same vein as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, he catapulted to stardom in 1982 with his #1 album, American Fool, which sported “Hurts So Good” (#2) and “Jack and Diane” (#1). His 1985 album, Scarecrow, was an even bigger seller with top ten hits “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “Small Town,” and “Lonely Ol’ Night.” By the 1990s, his hit-making days had waned and he arguably had a bit of a creative lull as well. However, in the 21st century he has roared back with a Woody Guthrie, Americana-style sound. Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers. Spotify Podcast: Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast John Mellencamp: The 21st Century Woody Guthrie based on this list. Debut: February 1, 2022, at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Jack and Diane (1982) DMDB Top 2%: 2. Hurts So Good (1982) DMDB Top 5%: 3. Pink Houses (1983) 4. Small Town (1985) 5. Cherry Bomb (1987) 6. R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (1985) 7. Key West Intermezzo (I Saw Her First) (1996) 8. Wild Night (with Me’shell Ndegeocello, 1994) 9. Rain on the Scarecrow (1985) DMDB Top 10%: 10. Authority Song (1983) 11. Paper in Fire (1987) 12. Crumblin’ Down (1983) 13. Lonely Ol’ Night (1985) 14. Peaceful World (with India.Arie, 2001) 15. I Need a Lover (1978) 16. Ain’t Even Done with the Night (1981) 17. Human Wheels (1993) 18. Jackie Brown (1989) 19. Check It Out (1987) 20. Pop Singer (1989) 21. Our Country (2006) 22. Your Life Is Now (1998) 23. Dance Naked (1994) DMDB Top 20%: 24. Just Another Day (1996) 25. Again Tonight (1991) 26. Get a Leg Up (1991) 27. Hand to Hold Onto (1982) 28. Rumbleseat (1985) 29. I’m Not Running Anymore (1998) 30. This Time (1980) 31. Walk Tall (2004) 32. If I Die Sudden (2008) 33. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1987) 34. What if I Came Knocking (1993) 35. Play Guitar (1983) 36. When Jesus Left Birmingham (1993) 37. Like a Rolling Stone (1992) 38. Love and Happiness (1991) 39. The Real Life (1987) 40. My Sweet Love (2008) 41. Minutes to Memories (1985) DMDB Beyond Top 20%: 42. Serious Business (1983) 43. Wasted Days (with Bruce Springsteen, 2021) 44. To Washington (2003) 45. Under the Boardwalk (1986) 46. Justice and Independence (1985) 47. Martha Say (1989) 48. Save Some Time to Dream (2010) 49. Rural Route (2007) 50. Let It All Hang Out (1989) 51. Rodeo Clown (2007) 52. Troubled Land (2008) 53. Small Paradise (1979) 54. Rooty Toot Too (1987) 55. Junior (1993) 56. Last Chance (1991) 57. Hard Times for an Honest Man (1987) 58. We Are the People (1987) 59. Now More Than Ever (1991) 60. Easy Target (2017) 61. Down and Out in Paradise (1987) 62. Jena (2007) 63. Rave On (1988) 64. What Say You (with Travis Tritt, 2004) 65. Someday (2007) 66. Teardrops Will Fall (2003) 67. No Better Than This (2010) 68. Without Expression (1997) 69. Void in My Heart (1989) 70. Longest Days (2008) 71. Easter Eve (2010) 72. The Americans (2007) 73. Case 795 (The Family) (1993) 74. Thundering Hearts (1982) 75. J.M.’s Question (1989) 76. To the River (1993) 77. Stones in My Passway (2003) 78. Brothers (1994) 79. When Margaret Came to Town (1994) 80. Beige to Beige (1993) 81. Jim Crow (2007) 82. The Big Jack (1994) 83. Jailhouse Rock (1992) 84. Suzanne and the Jewels (1993) 85. The Face of the Nation (1985) 86. Between a Laugh and a Tear (1985) 87. Another Sunny Day 12/25 (1994) 88. Grandview (with Martina McBride, 2017) 89. A Ride Back Home (with Karen Fairchild, 2008) 90. I Don’t Know Why I Love You (2003) 91. Sweet Evening Breeze (1993) 92. A Little Night Dancin’ (1979) 93. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (live, 1992) 94. John Cockers (2008) 95. Do Re Mi (1988) 96. Country Gentleman (1989) 97. Jackie O (1983) 98. No One Cares About Me (2010) 99. Can You Take It (1989) 100. L.U.V. (1994) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for John Mellencamp Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers First posted 10/7/2012; last updated 2/1/2022.