John Cougar [Original recording remastered]

Product Description
Originally released in 1979.

Features newly remastered sound and upgraded packaging which includes lyrics and complete artwork. Bonus track is the previously unreleased "Take Home Pay".

John Cougar,John Cougar,Mercury / Universal,Album Rock,Bar Band,Hard Rock,Heartland Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop,United States of America

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John Cougar [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: Very special christmas Rock'n Christmas Not worth buying Worst online experience ever Rocking Christmas

A Very Special Christmas The Pretenders , and John Cougar Mellencamp Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music 1980s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 1980-1989 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 2 A Very Special Christmas 3 A Very Special Christmas - Vol. 5 A Very Special Christmas Live! A Very Special Acoustic Christmas ASIN: B000002GFJ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Pointer Sisters
2. Winter Wonderland - Eurythmics
3. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Whitney Houston
4. Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas -The Pretenders
6. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Cougar Mellencamp
7. Gabriel's Message - Sting
8. Christmas In Hollis - Run-D.M.C.
9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
10. Santa Baby - Madonna
11. The Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
12. Run Rudolph Run - Bryan Adams
13. I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas-Bon Jovi
14. The Coventry Carol - Alison Moyet
15. Silent Night - Stevie Nicks

Amazon.com

When was the last time you heard collard greens being sung about in a Christmas song? Probably never, unless you're a Run DMC fan, or were wise enough to hop on the Very Special Christmas tip. The rappers' contribution to this benefit collection is probably the highlight, although traditional songs covered by now-traditional artists like the Pretenders ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") provide the majority of the material here. Eurythmics turn in a suitably chilly "Winter Wonderland," Stevie Nicks sings a beautifully haunting "Silent Night," and Whitney Houston proves again that she's every woman with "Do You Hear What I Hear"--that is, every woman with a voice strong enough to do the song justice. "Santa Baby," Madonna's contribution, isn't as sultry as it could be, but there's more fun thanks to hell-on-heels, the Pointer Sisters and Bon Jovi. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Very special christmas.......2007-01-22

Great cd, have the original on record & couldn't find it anywhere in Oz on cd. Not your traditional boring christmas carols - love it!

Rock'n Christmas.......2007-01-19

If you luv Xmas, but you are a little sick of hearing the same old 40's & 50's sounding carols & songs and you wish xmas would ROCK, just a little, then this is the CD for you!!!!
I luv it, I have heard these songs played on the radio and thought
"Where can i get a copy of these tracks!".
Well here they are, in 1 neat little package.
Merry Rockn Xmas Next Year!

Not worth buying.......2007-01-19

I bought the cd for my sister, because it was the only recording I could find of this particular Sting song that she loved. It turned out she already had the cd, and said the ONLY good song on the cd was his song. Therefore I took it back to another store, as I didn't want it either. Too much discordant, and rap type music, she said.

Worst online experience ever.......2007-01-18

Hermanstreet is lame and I would never, even with my life hanging in the balance, order from them again.

I e-mailed several times (3)inquiring about my order and not once received an e-mail back. Worst online experience ever, this coming from someone who does the majority of their shopping and all their bill pay online.

Rocking Christmas.......2007-01-15

This is a good Christmas CD for people who are tired of the usual same-old-same-old. It features Mellencamp and the Eurythmics among others. It's really good and I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating: Just Rocks Gimmee a break, please. John Cougar Hits One On The First Try Just Because A weak debut.

John Cougar John Cougar Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Nothin' Matters and What If It Did American Fool Big Daddy Uh-Huh Whenever We Wanted ASIN: B0007XBMYI Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

1. A Little Night Danin'
2. Small Paradise
3. Miami
4. Great Mid-West
5. Do You Think That's Fair
6. I Need A Lover
7. Welcome To Chinatown
8. Sugar Marie
9. Pray For Me
10. Taxi Dancer
11. Bonus Track: Take Home Pay

Album Description

Originally released in 1979.

Features newly remastered sound and upgraded packaging which includes lyrics and complete artwork. Bonus track is the previously unreleased "Take Home Pay".

Customer Reviews:

Just Rocks.......2006-07-08

This "album" has always drawn me in. Its so american and down to earth. Its just raw rock and roll that I related to then and still do.

Gimmee a break, please........2006-02-28

I completely agree with the reviewer who felt it necessary to rate 5 stars to *counter act* the "Dr. MO" <---(?) person who thought it only deserves 2 sorry stars. Gimmee a break! This album is not the best of all albums ever made, I can certainly understand. John may have done better and perhaps it doesn't even rank the 5 stars on this Amazon scale, but compared to some of the trash that is passed for music today it deserves far more than that....Taxi Dancer alone was worth 4. John's efforts with FarmAid alone should afford him an automatic 5 stars in my book. Not many artist care about what's going on in the world, many times they're too focused on the almighty dollar. I'm standing by ya, John.

John Cougar Hits One On The First Try.......2005-10-07

John Cougar Mellencamp hits it out of the park on what is his first real album, aside from a couple of early albums which have, unfortunately, been reissued. Of course, "I Need A Lover" is the best thing here, but many of the other songs are great, too, including "Great Mid-West" and "Do You Think That's Fair." The fact that he believes that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia on drug-smuggling charges was unjustly convicted makes it even more worth going back to the beginning of Mellencamp's career.

Just Because.......2005-06-30

I just have to rate this 5 stars to counter-act the unfair 2 star rating that another reviewer left. This CD is better than that.

A weak debut........2005-06-07

Mellencamp's second album, but first to be released in the states, is the typical first album that does not hint at the greatness soon to come.

The only song remotely familiar to the general public is "I Need A Lover", famously covered by Pat Benatar. It shows his ability to write a pop song, and write it well, the rest of the album suffers from what "A Biography" also did...weak songs with cliched sounds. The production gets better, and there is definite progress being made if you compare it to "A Biography".

However, here in the U.S. we didn't, and this album was ignored. And listening to it now, you can't really blame us for doing so.

If I'm being honest (oh dear...I'm sounding like Simon Cowell...) this is an album I probably won't listen to again.

Again, I think this album will appeal to hardcore Mellen-heads (like me) as you can't believe the guy who made "Scarecrow" made something like this...

One more thing: the remastering on this and the rest of the series is spectacular.

Average customer rating: Mellencamp's First Overall Great Album Just Got Better Starting to Matter Definite progress! Bonus Track Worth The Price Of CD Underrated early album ripe for rediscovery

Nothin' Matters and What If It Did John Cougar Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: John Cougar American Fool Uh-Huh Big Daddy Whenever We Wanted ASIN: B0007XBMZ2 Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

1. Hot Night In A Cold Town
2. Ain't Even Done With The Night
3. Don't Misunderstand Me
4. This Time
5. Make Me Feel
6. To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
7. Tonight
8. Cry Baby
9. Wild Angel
10. Peppermint Twist
11. Cheap Shot
12. Latest Game (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Originally released in 1980.

Features newly remastered sound and upgraded packaging which includes lyrics and complete artwork.

Bonus track is the previously unreleased "Latest Game".

Customer Reviews:

Mellencamp's First Overall Great Album Just Got Better.......2005-08-13

NOTHIN' MATTERS AND WHAT IF IT DID, which in its first incarnation was John Mellencamp's first great album, has just gotten better with digital remastering, improved sound, and bonus cuts. Songs such as "Hot Night In A Cold Town", "Ain't Even Done With The Night", "Don't Misunderstand Me", and "This Time" receive more depth and definition with the new technology, allowing the listener to hear more of what makes Mellencamp great. Any serious Mellencamp fan should buy this one.

Starting to Matter.......2005-06-26

Nothin' Matters & What If It Did was big step up for John Cougar from his previous record. The album shows the clear influences of the AM radio music that he went onto sing about in his hit "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.". The album has an enlivened sound and shows Mr. Mellencamp can write catchy pop tunes. Songs like "Hot Night In A Cold Town", "Ain't Even Done With Night", "This Time", "To MG (Wherever She May Be)", "Tonight" and "Wild Angel' are all radio-friendly, finely crafted songs. The album was a minor hit and set the stage for his major breakthrough. The remastered version contains a solid extra track, "Latest Game", that would not sound out of place on American Fool.

Definite progress!.......2005-06-07

Here, Mellencamp gets definitely, measurably better.
The songs are more developed, well-rounded...catchier.
The production becomes more modern.
There are songs that finally hint at the artist that was just over the horizon.
"Ain't Even Done With The Night" is arguably the first Mellencamp song that could be identified as such; a "Mellencamp" song. It's obvious he wrote it and he sang it. All his other stuff was too generic. Now he starts to cone down on to what he's all about.
"Tonight" shows his gift with up-tempo rock, and "Cheap Shot" gleefully previews his "little bastard" persona.
And yes, the bonus track is not a throwaway...it's definitely a keeper.

This is also the first album that non-fans should pick up if they already have the more popular selections...

Bonus Track Worth The Price Of CD.......2005-05-11

Despite the track being recorded for the American Fool album, Island placed "Latest Game" on this wonderful remaster of 1980's Nothin' Matters And What If It Did".

And quite frankly, "Latest Game" is worth the price of the CD in itself. And although the album's real worth is mediocre, at best, the remastered versions of tracks, "Hot Night In A Cold Town", "Ain't Even Done With The Night", "This Time" and "Wild Angel" gives you something to look forward to - providing you are somewhat of a fan of John Mellencamp.

And the 4-star rating is primarily 2 for the entire album and an additional 2 for the bonus track.

For the money it cannot be beat and for the fan it's a necessity to own.

Underrated early album ripe for rediscovery.......2005-04-09

Although he wouldn't reach true mainstream fame until 1982's AMERICAN FOOL, Mellencamp was already giving it his best shot with this surprisingly durable 1980 release. Even the relatively unintiated will recall the singles "This Time" and the simple and still-lovely "Ain't Even Done with the Night." The opening "Hot Night in a Cold Town" sets the stage for an album of longing and reflection (John "Cougar"'s untrained voice does little to diminish the power of the heart-aching "To M.G., Wherever She May Be"), and sensual urgency (the downright horny "Tonight").

Sure, not every song is a gem. Although nostalgia for 50's and 60's cover songs would later permeate John's live shows (and occasional studio recordings), 28 seconds of "Peppermint Twist" feels like a cheat. And the a capella "Cry Baby" is a juvenile joke that's barely funny once; you'll probably program your player to skip it in the future.

The bonus track here is a little strange, since it was apparently recorded for the American Fool sessions. "Latest Game" is nothing special, a blue-collar variation on Sammy Hagar's "I've Done Everything For You."

Of course, the true kick for fans is that the album has been remastered, and the results of that alone are worth the low price of this CD. I for one look forward to burning my own personal Mellen-Mix, and adding a few of the tracks here to match the sound quality of the more recent releases.

Average customer rating: Mellencamp Should Sometimes Win! Uh Huh is a big Yes The Best overall Mellencamp album A classic rock album! An ass kicking album? Uh-huh!

Uh-Huh John Cougar Mellencamp Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: American Fool Scarecrow The Lonesome Jubilee Big Daddy Human Wheels ASIN: B000001F4R Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Crumblin' Down
2. Pink Houses
3. Authority Song
4. Warmer Place To Sleep
5. Jackie O
6. Play Guitar
7. Serious Business
8. Lovin' Mother Fo Ya
9. Golden Gates

Amazon.com essential recording

"Pink Houses" is the state-of-our-union anthem that John Mellencamp likes to boast about, but the real class-awareness beef of 1983's Uh-Huh is in "Authority Song" ("Call up my preacher... / He said, 'You don't need no strength, you need to grow up, son'")--not to mention the kidding cynicism of "Crumblin' Down" and the Mellencamp-John Prine collaboration "Jackie O." With his Stonesy band crackling behind him, the newly minted superstar also shows that he gets the joke of his "serious business" on "Play Guitar," which might have been the album's fourth hit single if not for its admonition to "forget all about that macho shit." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Mellencamp Should Sometimes Win!.......2005-03-27

With the huge success of AMERICAN FOOL in 1982 the artist formerly called himself John Cougar added his real surname MELLENCAMP and surged ahead with his own rock'n roll style-straight-ahead rock with homecoming blues. CRUMBLING DOWN and AUTHORITY SONG are such straight rock songs. PINK HOUSES is a nice sample of homecoming nostalgia. During 1984 campaign Republican candidate Ronald Reagan used PINK HOUSES as Presidential campaign song ,which was against the will of the artist who made it of course. In AMERICAN FOOL the gap between hit tracks and the rest are so huge but this one is truly consistent -- the other album tracks are arranged and mixed so that the listener would not skip after track 4, WARMER PLACE TO SLEEP. PLAY GUITAR is another of upbeat rock song and closing song GOLDEN GATES refreshes our soul.

Essential for American rock fans and for any music fans who enjoyed recent compilation
WORDS AND MUSIC.

Uh Huh is a big Yes.......2004-10-06

Pre-dating his "Farm Aid" support of America's Heartland, Mellencamp's "Uh Huh" clearly shows the nostalgia and amicable rebellion that pervades his work. From the midwest ode "Pink Houses" to the self deprecating "Authority Song", Mellencamp continues his "American Fool" path of embracing your roots while still having a great time.

The Best overall Mellencamp album.......2004-08-15

Uh-Huh was recorded in a 16 day jam session in Southern Indiana and it is far and away Mellencamp's strongest album. There are other songs of his that are my favorite but this album is incredibly powerful and tight. Well-conceived. If you are unsure, listen to the samples up above and you'll be convinced.

A classic rock album!.......2004-06-23

In later years--"Trouble No More," "Cuttin Heads," etc.--Mellencamp has turend to a more folky-bluesy sound. In the eighties, though, it was all about rock n roll--and "Uh Huh" is a classis rock album (as is "Scarecrow," by the way).

Mellencamp acknowledges his fame in "Crumblin Down," and pokes fun at society in "Pink Houses," "Serious Business," and "Play Guitar." With the rebellious attitue displayed on "Authority Song," along with the world-wise anthem "Pink Houses," Mellencamp positioned himself as a singer of the people.

"Uh Huh" is a classic rock n roll album, there's no doubt about it. While Mellencamp's songwriting isn't always world-class (though close), his melodies and voice enrapture. Do you need to buy this album? Let's here it: "Uh huh."

An ass kicking album? Uh-huh!.......2004-02-26

In 1983,after three albums under the name John Cougar,he extends it to John Cougar Mellencamp. This album spawned three Top 20 hits which are CRUMBLIN' DOWN,PINK HOUSES and AUTHORITY SONG. The latter tells about a fighter("I fight authority,authority always wins.") JACKIE O is an ode to the now-deceased Jacquline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. On PLAY GUITAR,JCM tells listeners,"Forget all about that macho s--t and learn how to play guitar!". This album was recorded in the summer of 1983 and released only 4 months later. An ass-kicking album.

Average customer rating: The Lonesome Jubilee Doesn't reach the bar set by "Scarecrow", but pretty close I will have to catch up on my Mellancamp collection Some of the Best Songwriting of the 80' Still sounds Great!

The Lonesome Jubilee John Cougar Mellencamp Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Scarecrow Uh-Huh Big Daddy American Fool Human Wheels ASIN: B000001FMJ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Paper In Fire
2. Down & Out In Paradise
3. Check It Out
4. The Real Life
5. Cherry Bomb
6. We Are The People
7. Empty Hands
8. Hard Times For An Honest Man
9. Hot Dogs & Hamburgers
10. Rooty Toot Toot

Amazon.com essential recording

The Lonesome Jubilee continued Scarecrow's stylistic and thematic examination of the rustic and rural. While it's not quite the knockout its predecessor was, the album does find Mellencamp and band in an undeniable groove. It's also hard to dispute the details of vignettes such as "Cherry Bomb" or treatises like "Paper in Fire." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

The Lonesome Jubilee.......2007-05-13

John really put it all together on this one, songwriting, musicianship, he definitely paints great pictures with his music and words.

All the songs have a catchy hook and cool story behind them. He cleverly uses a lot of different instruments that are not normally use on rock records.

The whole album stays on that rural midwestern theme, but don't let that fool you, all of the songs on this album are anywhere from 3-5 star in quality. Recordings highlights, Paper and fire -- Cherry Bomb etc. great stuff

Doesn't reach the bar set by "Scarecrow", but pretty close.......2005-10-08

Although John Mellencamp (still known in the 1980s as John Cougar Mellencamp) would have success with such hits as "Jack and Diane" and "Hurts So Good"; in 1985, Mellencamp would deliver what would prove to be his signature album entitled "Scarecrow". While this album didn't produce a #1 hit like "Jack and Diane", it spurned four Top 40 hits and was a complete album from top to bottom. "Scarecrow" seemed to come along at the right time. It was around this time that the 1980s music landscape was undergoing changes. The 80s music scene was beginning to move away from a synth-pop sound to a more guitar-laden sound. Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" would be a success not only because it would embrace this guitar-laden sound, but it would also provide a mix of socio-political commentary with hometown roots experience. Other artists such as Bruce Springsteen ("Born in the USA") and John Fogerty ("Centerfield") had already had success with this formula before "Scarecrow" made it big - so clearly this was a formula that would be around for a while. Therefore, it would make sense for Mellencamp to continue down the road he started with "Scarecrow". This follow-up would be 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee". While "The Lonesome Jubilee" doesn't quite hit the level of its predecessor "Scarecrow", it comes very close.

As mentioned above, "The Lonesome Jubilee" does focus on a guitar-laden sound. This album does make more use of the fiddle than "Scarecrow" does. Also mentioned, the socio-political commentary that started on "Scarecrow" also continues on "The Lonesome Jubilee". For the most part, 8 of the 10 tracks could be classified as socio-political commentary. I do think that this particular collection has a bit of a "darker" view of things than "Scarecrow" did. I feel the lyrics on "The Lonesome Jubilee" are on-par with "Scarecrow". I do think the music is where this album falls short. It's not that the music is bad, but I felt some of the melodies were missing something special - despite the creative use of the fiddle. Mellencamp handles more of the songwriting - writing 9 of the 10 songs solo. He only co-writes one song with his long-time collaborator - George Green.

Overall, while not a central theme to the album - you can hear the concept of "loneliness" on several songs - thus mapping back to the album's title - "Lonesome Jubilee". To me the deeper concept here is the plight of those people who are struggling just to make ends meet. Here is a track by track breakdown of this album:

"Paper in Fire": The opening song on the album. This is one song where I do like the melody - especially the fiddle. The song's title "Paper in Fire" is used as an analogy to describe "dreams going up in smoke". We also hear some great background vocals - including some co-lead vocals by Crystal Taliefero.

"Down and Out in Paradise": This is a great song lyrically as Mellencamp constructs a "letter" to the President from someone who has come upon hard times. While I'd consider this song lyrically innovative, I didn't like the melody that he put to these lyrics. More solid fiddle work.

"Check It Out": This is another social commentary. "Check It Out" will be sung about the everyday things that affect the average song. This song is solid both musically and lyrically - the melody toward the end of the song is terrific. Mellencamp uses more fiddle as well as background vocalists, but the guitar work is awesome here.

"The Real Life": This might be the strongest song of the collection and the most underrated. Basically Mellencamp sings about a woman named Suzanne and a man named Jackson - both whom have seen to have hit that "mid-life" crisis for different reasons. This song also explores the "loneliness" theme.

"Cherry Bomb": This song was nice at first, but eventually I got a bit bored of it. It's solid lyrically as Mellencamp looks reminisces about "the old days". There is more fiddle on this song. Another positive is that this song is sung in the form of a duet and it seems to work.

"We are the People": This also can be a candidate for the strongest and most underrated song. This song discusses racism, the homeless, and loneliness. It also delivers a strong message toward "leadership" in terms of how this issue needs to be addressed. There is some great music in this song.

"Empty Hands": Mellencamp sings this song from the point of view of a struggling working class man. The song discusses the hard times this man and his wife Maryanne are having. A key line in this song is "Without hope; without love; you've got nothing but pain".

"Hard Times for an Honest Man": This song sums up much of what this album demonstrates - fiddle work, background vocals, and once again lyrics that discuss the struggles of the everyday man.

"Hotdogs and Hamburgers": Kind of a cheesy song title, but Mellencamp uses this as an analogy for making choices (i.e. one often has to choose between hamburgers and hotdogs just as one makes choices in life). This song has a lot of acoustic guitar. It also contains some fiddle and background vocals.

"Rooty Toot Toot": This song was meant to lighten things up to close up some of the darker more serious themes on the album. Mellencamp discusses a fun-day he has with his gal - "Teddi Jo". Not the strongest song, but it does have some good percussion.

The liner notes contain all of the lyrics, songwriting, and musician credits. I would have like to have seen the musician credits aligned with the songs. Overall, while there are areas where "The Lonesome Jubilee" doesn't quite hit the bar that "Scarecrow" set, this is by no-means a poor follow-up. Despite some of the weaker points, I would consider this a solid follow-up album. If you liked "Scarecrow", this album is also worth checking out".

I will have to catch up on my Mellancamp collection.......2005-06-28

I jumped on the John Mellencamp bandwagon when he had his breakthrough album, AMERICAN FOOL. In the following years, I bought Mellancamp's UH-HUH; SCARECROW; the album in question here, LONESOME JUBILEE; and HUMAN WHEELS. I liked all of them a lot except for the last one, HUMAN WHEELS, after that HUMAN WHEELS I abandoned the Mellencamp bandwagon.

Recently I inserted LONESOME JUBILEE in the stereo for the first time in probably ten or more years. While I had liked it back in the late 1980s, the outstanding musicianship and especially the Reagan era-inspired lyrics, now relevant again in the dark days of GW Bush, have me listening to the CD as frequently as possible. Back then, I considered SCARECROW to be the best John Mellencamp release I had heard, but THE LONESOME JUBILEE may be even better. Check other reviews here, and you'll see other music fans naming those two as Mellencamp's jewels.

I even gave HUMAN WHEELS another spin and liked it better!

John Mellencamp, I am going to catch up on your music.

Rock and roll fans, I recommend LONESOME JUBILEE.

Some of the Best Songwriting of the 80'.......2005-02-08

I love this album for three songs...Paper in Fire, Check it Out, and Cherry Bomb. The rest of the album could be Mellencamp singing about bug spray with a bouzouki accompaniment and I wouldn't care. These three songs are some of his best ever. The best way to listen to Lonesome Jubilee is with the headphones on and WAY UP. Cherry Bomb is one of the most melodic, well played, touching songs in rock and roll. The bridge with the WEIRD and WONDERFUL accordion break is absolutely amazing, and still makes my spine tingle after hearing it over and over for the last eighteen years or so.

While the entire album is not up to Scarecrow's standard, these three songs blow away anything on Scarecrow (well, maybe not Minutes to Memories). It makes me sick that there is nothing like this on radio anymore. I remember hearing these songs on the top 40 in high school. I can't imagine a young person from today looking back in 20 years and fondly remembering the garbage they are listening to now.

I do, and this is the music I remember.

Still sounds Great!.......2004-12-06

Produced in 1987,this is probably John Mellancamp's finest moment.Loved it @ the time & most of the songs still cut it.
Down & out is James Brown with a Squeeze Box,Rooty Toot Toot is
Great ol' Rock'n'Roll,We are the people Rocks - Borrowing From
Springsteen, But Cherry Bomb is one of my all-Time Favourite
Tunes - all artists. A Feel-Good sing-a-Long anthem.
Superb.

Average customer rating: A great record from a great songwriter Mellencamp's finest album This is the worst Mellencamp CD. Avoid unless avid. Its not about the politics, its the songs John's Best

Big Daddy John Cougar Mellencamp Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: John Mellencamp The Lonesome Jubilee Uh-Huh Scarecrow Whenever We Wanted ASIN: B000001FQ8 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Big Daddy Of Them All
2. To Live
3. Martha Say
4. Theo And Weird Henry
5. Jackie Brown
6. Pop Singer
7. Void In My Heart
8. Mansions In Heaven
9. Sometimes A Great Notion
10. Country Gentleman
11. J.M.'s Question
12. Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

A great record from a great songwriter .......2005-03-02

Folks, I'll make this short. This record has no anthems on it, no groundbreaking rock 'n roll-as-great-art tunes like "Scarecrow" and "Small Town". It is an understated, subtle masterpiece of a man exploring the depths of his soul and finding both tremendous pain and great dignity. JM goes to many places in the heart on this one, and each journey is remarkable in its own way. He is the type of plain spoken songwriter who can speak volumes in just a few lines when other writers would need entire books, screenplays and albums to say. Example: "There's a void in my heart / I can't seem to fill / I do charity work when I believe in the cause / but my soul it bothers me still". Yes, we've all been there ... some folks never find their way out of that place.

I think JM did find his way out, especially on the advent of his third marriage, which came (I think) after the recording of "Whenever We Wanted". On this record, his second marriage was breaking up do to his repeated infidelities. To give you an example of his mindset during the recording of this record, here's a quote he made regarding the demise of his union to Vicki Mellencamp: "I want to get back together, but I really don't see what would change, and I don't want to hurt this woman anymore. She doesn't deserve it."

I think that this record represents a time in JM's life in which, deep in his heart, he felt truly lost. You can hear it in his voice and in his words, and that is a lot of what makes this record a masterpiece.

Mellencamp's finest album.......2004-03-04

Personally, Big Daddy is my favorite JM album. It is a little on the lean side in terms of recording minutes (each song is quite short), but it is strong on tunes and lyrics. It is much more laid-back than JM's earlier work and he has retained the folk instruments of The Lonesome Jubilee. People may say that lyrically he is being clichéd and rehashing his previous work, but I really like this album. Apparently (and obviously from the cover photo and title) JM was feeling reflective as a father, and it helps.
The title track is a catchy little song. The next two tracks are listed as singles on my cassette copy of the album, but they aren't my favorites. The two story-songs, "Theo and Weird Henry" and "Jackie Brown" are what hooked me. "Jackie Brown" especially got a lot of airplay in South Africa. It's a sad song about growing up poor and dying alone and almost forgotten.
Side two is actually the stronger part of the album. "Pop Singer" was the first single, JM's ironic look at himself. I just love the tracks "Void in My Heart" and "Mansions in Heaven." Those are tunes I never get tired of hearing. When I have come across this album in a jukebox, those are the two songs I put money in to hear first. Mellencamp also has his political commentary here. "Country Gentleman" and "J.M.'s Question" lament the greed and the poverty of the late `80s. The CD also has a bonus track I have not heard in its entirety.

This is the worst Mellencamp CD. Avoid unless avid........2003-10-07

After a decade of fantastic music, of maturing into an accomplished artist capable of both singles and full-length LPs, Mellencamp makes the mistake of too many other "mature" singer-songwriters: he gets @#%#ing boring. Aside from "Pop Singer", which still stings with sarcasm, every song on this disc is an overblown attempt at pontificating the obvious.

This would be the only time in his career that I doubted JCM's talent. It did galvanize him, though. To his credit, he came back hard with his heaviest CD after this country-fied tripe--"Whenever We Wanted" is a gem. Listening to this CD compared to Uh-Huh shows the obvious fault with the music on Big Daddy; it's just dull and unorganized. JCM is a wonderful gift to the world of music, but this disc is worthless drivel. Give it a wide berth.

Its not about the politics, its the songs.......2003-09-20

I don't see why people in here have to bring up g.w when he was not even president when this album was recorded. Having said that I think John mellencamp and Steve Earle are two of the best songwriters out there and I'm a republican. I really love this and the previous album "lonesome Jubilee" for some reason this album never really stuck with me at the time It came out. But after listening to the samples I can see what I have been missing out on all these years.

John's Best.......2003-04-10

This is John Mellencamp's best. He finishes what he started in The Lonesome Jubilee.
Big Daddy Of Them All- GREAT song
To Live- OK but not the best on this CD by FAR
Martha Say- About an independent woman who 'don't need no stinkin' man makin' no decisions for her'
Theo And weird Henry- Story song about two friends 'playin' music very very loud' and just having fun.
Jackie Brown- Horrifying tale of a poor man who nobody cares about.
Pop Singer- Biggest hit off this album about his 'Cougar' name his manager stuck him with. You gotta see the video for this.
Void In My Heart- Great song. Lyrics are autobiographial.
Mansions In Heaven- Awesome Song
Sometimes A Great Notion- When this first came on I thought the fiddle at the beggining was a guitar. Great.
Country Gentleman- Best on album. Reminds me of George W. (War-Mongler) Bush
J.M.'s Question- bluesey song
There is a suprise at the end if you wait about 1/2 a minute

Average customer rating:

Scarecrow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000H5TYMS Release Date: 2006-10-24

Average customer rating: BUY THE NEWER VERSION The death of John Cougar Hard And Cool American Fool's American Fan Mellencamp's greatest.

American Fool John Cougar Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock General | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Uh-Huh Scarecrow Whenever We Wanted The Lonesome Jubilee Trouble No More ASIN: B000001F51 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Hurts So Good
2. Jack & Diane
3. Hand To Hold On To
4. Danger List
5. Can You Take It
6. Thundering Hearts
7. China Girl
8. Close Enough
9. Weakest Moments

Amazon.com

This is the record that transformed John Cougar (né John Mellencamp and soon to be John Cougar Mellencamp) into a superstar. "Hurts So Good" was destined to be a huge hit--ludicrous, powerful, and utterly unforgettable--and has long since gone on to be something of a rock & roll standard. But the real revelation on this record was "Jack and Diane," a poignant slice of life from a small town somewhere in middle America, a topical vein he would mine with even greater success on later recordings (especially on The Lonesome Jubilee). Backed by a crisp, powerful, spot-on band that gave a needed sense of urgency to the material, Cougar deservedly wore the mantle of Mainstream Rock King while this record ruled the airwaves. --Percy Keegan

Customer Reviews:

BUY THE NEWER VERSION.......2005-09-11

This CD was "Johnny Cougar's" first step in breaking away from his media created image.
I absolutely HATED "Hurts so Good", and his other assorted nonsensical pop tunes.Fortunately, I have a friend {Thanks Cheryl} She had grown up in the same small town in Indiana as him and had listened to him on the local scene. She KNEW, and made it a point to tell EVERYONE, that "John Cougar" didn't exist. Then she made me listen to Danger List. That one song sold me on his talent. Weird thing was, American Fool was not allowed to be listed on the very album named for it, but it's there, at the end, if you knew to listen for it. Many people didn't.
It's easier to buy the new version where he was allowed to put it where ever he damn well wanted!

The death of John Cougar.......2005-07-11

During his career, Mellencamp has gone from being viewed as a Springsteen rip-off to a big pop star to a serious music artist. 1982's "American Fool" serves as an important transition from the first to the second stages of his career. Prior to "American Fool," John Mellencamp (then John Cougar) was a mid-level rocker with a few minor chart hits - the biggest being "Ain't Even Done with the Night" (#17 in 1981).

The first single, "Hurts So Good," provided that big breakthrough, peaking at #2 for 4 weeks and going gold. The song and video were ubiquitous during the summer of 1982 and helped make "American Fool" a #1 hit for 9 weeks. Although the song is a bit of pop-rock tripe, it still sounds pretty good today. The second single inspired me to buy "American Fool" back in 1982 when I was 12 years old - the #1 hit "Jack and Diane." The song was different from his prior hits - less raucous and more introspective, a sign of his maturing writing skills. The song eventually spent 4 weeks at #1 and went gold; it's even been sampled several times, notably for Jessica Simpson's 2000 hit "I Think I'm In Love With You." Finally, "Hand to Hold On to" was released and became a mid-chart hit, peaking at #19 in early 1983. The song is very catchy and should have done better.

Along with these hits, "American Fool" is filled with other memorable songs. "Thundering Hearts" is probably my favorite because of its roaring chorus. "Danger List" is another winner; it's perhaps the smoothest sounding song on the CD and has some great lyrics - I ain't looking for affection/ I guess I need myself a shove/ Give me someone I can look up to/ Show me someone I can love. In addition, "Weakest Moments" is a strong rock ballad, although it does have a strange-sounding reed instrument playing at one point. However, there's not a weak track on this CD.

"American Fool" is not the best John Mellencamp CD, as he was still a bit immature as a writer. He was also much under the thumb of his record label, who wanted a traditional rocker; hence the name John Cougar. What he's obviously excelled at during his career is Midwestern-style rock, such as "Pink Houses" and "Small Town." Nevertheless, I have always loved "American Fool" - it's his biggest hit (tied with 5 million in sales with "Scarecrow) and the album that provided him with the success that's allowed him to stick around 20+ years later. Plus, "Jack and Diane" is just such a classic 1980s song. Highly Recommended.

Hard And Cool.......2005-03-26

The year 1982 made an "American Fool" John Cougar(when this album was released he named himself that way) really a cool guy. Spurred by superhits JACK AND DIANE, HURTS SO GOOD both having impressive heavier straight-ahead rock arrangement, this album became a #1 album hit serving as another narrator for non-mainstream rejected Americans just as the music of Bruce Springsteen did. This album has nicely written great songs so overshadowed by the aforementioned hits but with repeated listens you will get to love it. THUNDERING HEARTS is the closer in style for Jack and Diane hit but the rest are raid back message-driven songs. DANGER LIST is in particular self-portrayal song remniscing days back his unknown rocker days.
WEAKEST MOMENTS is slow blues having nostalgic interlude.

Recommended for wide range of American rock fans who love Bruce Springsteen, Rick Springfield, Hooters, Bob Seger, and Huey Lewis and the News.

American Fool's American Fan.......2004-12-04

In 1982 I was twelve years old. I remember two albums I got for my birthday that year. "Packman Fever" and "American Fool".
Of course as we all know the Pack Man fad wore off but Cougar never did.
I'm thirty-four now, and those songs take me back every time I hear them on the radio. and it's pretty cool you still hear them. It's truly a classic, and I encourage anyone to buy this CD, it's good for the soul!

Mellencamp's greatest........2004-07-24

It frustrates me to hear "Hurts So Good" on a soft rock radio station. John Mellencamp's style has changed over the years, and in my opinion, not for the better. He's become a folk/rock musician where accordions and harmonicas are the norm instead of plain old guitar, bass, and drums. Don't get me wrong, Mellencamp still puts out some true gems, but his cd's just aren't as strong or raw as they were when "Cougar" was still in the mix. "American Fool" is John "Cougar" Mellencamp at his best.

Average customer rating: It's No Wonder .... Can't explain why it is so appealing Different than what you may expect, but good One of the best albums of all time 1 MELLENCAMP FAN

Nothin' Matters and What If It Did John Cougar Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: John Cougar American Fool Chestnut Street Incident Uh-Huh John Mellencamp ASIN: B000001F54 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Hot Night In A Cold Town
2. Ain't Even Done With The Night
3. Don't Misunderstand Me
4. This Time
5. Make Me Feel
6. To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
7. Tonight
8. Untitled
9. Wild Angel
10. Untitled
11. Cheap Shot

Customer Reviews:

It's No Wonder ...........2004-11-29

People for years have been drawn to this album for some unknown reason to them. Could it be the fact that Cougar hadn't quite found his way at that time and tried to emulate The Boss? Look at the composition of the lyrics and the way he modified his voice to fit Bruce's style. Don't get me wrong, I loved this album but it was so obvious to us at the time what Mellencamp was trying to do. The store owner of our local record shop would play this non-stop while betting the regulars ( this was a while ago remember) to whom was singing. We'd all be wrong thinking that he'd had gotten his hands on a bootleg. Still an enjoyable album especially if you love the Boss.

Can't explain why it is so appealing.......2004-07-19

I'm not a big Mellencamp fan, but there is something about this album that I just keep coming back to. Being born in 1970, I was 10 when this album was released. I didn't listen to it until 1986 or 1987 when a friend of mine brought it with him on a bike trip we took through Cape Cod. I fell in love with it then and keep coming back to it for some nostalgia and just easy listening.

All these songs are simple and enjoyable. This is not a masterpiece by any stretch, but instead an enjoyable collection of songs that just don't tire out. Cougar never sounded better -- the CD has his voice mixed just right. He sings from the heart and never strains to reach any notes he shouldn't.

It takes a lot for me to rate an album with 4 stars, even harder to get 5. This would get 4 1/2 if Amazon allowed halfs.

-OC

Different than what you may expect, but good.......2003-11-11

This was Mellencamp's last album before he became a big star. Really the only song that shows a hint of the break through that came was Ain't Even Done with the Night,which is one of my favorite Mellencamp songs.The lyrics to many songs are kind of clumbsy and immature,but that doesn't keep Nothin Matters and What if it Did from being enjoyable. Besides Ain't Even Done with the Night, This Time,Hot Night in a cold town, and Crybaby are highlights. The album has a good flow and is fairly enjoyable despite the lack of artistic growth at that point in his career.

One of the best albums of all time.......2003-08-11

This album does it for me. Every song tells a story. I was about nine when this album came out but I still love it. Growing up in a small town in New Castle, IN. I can tell you that John has a feel for this area. I listen and travel back in time to similer places. Old girlfriends and heartbreaks. Friends acting crazy and its all here.

1 MELLENCAMP FAN.......2002-04-04

ALTHOUGH I WAS ONLY 8 YRS. OLD WHEN THIS ALBUM WAS RELEASED I CAN HONESTLY SAY I'VE TOTALLY WORN OUT A CASSETTE TAPE AND A CD.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE ALBUMS YOU CAN LISTEN TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN.IF YOU LOVE JOHN MELLENCAMP THIS HAS TO BE YOUR FAVORITE!
WITH SONGS LIKE "DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME" "TONIGHT" AND "WILD ANGEL"WHO COULD'T LIKE IT. I'M NOW BUYING ANOTHER CD AND 30YRS.
OLD, I JUST DON'T THINK I'LL EVERY GET TO TIRED OR TO OLD TO LISTEN TO IT!!!

Average customer rating:

Freedom's Road (CD/DVD) John Mellencamp Manufacturer: UMe ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Freedom's Road 10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD) Freedom's Road Traveling Wilburys (2CD/1DVD, Deluxe Edition) Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD) ASIN: B000MVHRU8

Product Description

Limited Bonus DVD features live performances of John Mellencamp's biggest hits. Also includes the Music Video for the new hit, "Our Country." Track listing: CD: 1)Someday, 2)Ghost Towns Along The Highway, 3)The Americans, 4)Forgiveness, 5)Freedom's Road, 6)Jim Crow - duet with Joan Baez, 7)Our Country, 8)Rural Route, 9)My Aeroplane, 10)Heaven Is A Lonely Place DVD: 1)Love And Happiness - MTV Unplugged, 2)Jackie Brown - MTV Unplugged, 3)Eden Is Burning - VH-1 Storytellers, 4)Pink Houses - VH-1 Storytellers, 5)Our Country - video

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