First time ever hearing John Mellencamp "JACK AND DIANE" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@harveybojangle475]

The song's message is: Life isn't always easy as you get older and the responsibilities add up. So, enjoy the good times of youth while you can.

[@custardflan]

Alternatively, I think it also means you live a long time with the decisions you make when you are young.

[@johnphillipsjr7238]

Thanks captain obvious

[@custardflan]

@@johnphillipsjr7238 ????

[@michaelasay8587]

Well the US is pretty crappy now.... especially with Biden.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@michaelasay8587 The USA has been a shit hole for a long time. you just haven't been looking.

[@dagmar.6954]

John's style of singing or genre is called heartland rock as he sang a lot about blue-collar, farmers & truckers themes. He has had so many hits especially in the 80's such as "Hurts So Good", "Jack & Diane", "Crumblin' Down", "Pink Houses", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town", "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.", "Paper &n Fire", "Cherry Bomb" etc.

[@ronkrupovich7152]

Love all these songs. Cherry Bomb is one of my favourites because of the way, as a married man with kids, he reminisces about the days of youth

[@willasacco9898]

I like that term - heartland rock. That is exactly what it is. Love it.

[@shanefraser7764]

Cherry bomb is aJam❤🎉🇳🇿🌏

[@Kim-dm4yb]

All great songs, the music of my youth! ❤

[@markwillis675]

Great Midwestern story teller. "Rain on the scarecrow" is a very powerful tune.

[@rejectedjeepers7317]

He raised the awareness of farmers. It is best to watch the video and interview with farmers on official video too

[@lrsrosebud]

@@rejectedjeepers7317 Definitely need to watch the official video for that song, much more impactful.

[@imrocSupermarketRefrig]

Hits home well

[@pyroman6000]

He started FarmAid with Willie and Neil, too.

[@roberttompkins6489]

After all the years since its release-you realize how prophetic the lyrics were about life.

[@JennyJohn50]

Life goes on...once you have responsibility, it all changes. Enjoy the moment time of being almost an adult, being carefree and having a level of independence, but dont have the stress of having to support yourself yet. That's always how I've interperted that song. Really fun y'all! Thanks, y'all Rock! 😊

[@carollittle1059]

He had some monster hits.

[@tonismith3707]

You need to hear "Hurts so Good", another great one by him.

[@davidbarr49]

Also, Cherry Bomb and Ain't even done with the night.

[@midnightblue6668]

One of the best coming of age songs ever written and the performance is heartfelt!

[@pfcampos7041]

I love John Cougar Mellon Camp! So glad you are reacting to him. You should also do Hurt So Good, Pink Houses, White Paper In Fire, Small Town, Cherry Bomb, Authority Song...and more.😁💗🙏

[@fitzyfresh843]

Rain on the scarecrow

[@nonplayerzealot4]

Crumblin Down

[@thumplife792]

To me this song is insanely sad. Depresses me every time I hear it. I grew up in the same state, not far from where John Mellencamp did. The areas he sings about in a lot of his songs are exactly like here. "Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone" is one of the saddest lines ever. Probably because it's so true. I'm 42 and all of the magic is gone. There's not really any new experiences, nothing to look forward to except getting older. My Diane passed of cancer years ago. Those days were electrifying and everything was new. Now, not so much.

[@peterwalsh2470]

I feel it.

[@bethanythatsme]

🖤🖤🖤

[@solojohno1]

It's rough. I feel it, too. I think we can resurrect some of that magic, though. It isn't easy, and doesn't happen over night. But, it is worth trying. What else is there for us to do? . And I'm sorry about your Diane. I wish there was something we could do about these tragedies. They never leave us, and it sucks.

[@susiestone5644]

You're only young once and sadly it goes by way to fast. aka you wake up one day and you're 'old' , but still have 40-50 years of life to go.

[@msw8966]

I'm with ya....

[@pharaoh2537]

He's basically telling teenagers don't rush to be grown. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy being children. Cuz when you get to be an adult everything changes.... And when you look back the years are gone... Life goes on...

[@harpergras]

Since this song first came out...I`ve been saying that verse in the song "Life goes on, long after the trill of living is gone ".

[@renaymatthews6929]

Little Pink Houses and Small Town are good ones from him as well. I see someone made a list below and ROCK in the USA and Hurts So Go are good ones too. His songs are just a good feeling.

[@barrelhorse56]

Great song thank my mom to let me listen to this songs and great reaction Asia and bj 🥰‼️ and love the drum solo and great singing Asia ❣️❣️❣️

[@suzanneprock7286]

Wild Nights, Aint Even Done With The Night, pink houses, hurts so good, etc....., he has alot of great songs!

[@joanmayfield4791]

You need to watch 'John Mellencamp, Me'Shell Ndegeo Wild Nights' the way he mixes his sounds.

[@glennplesnarski3730]

Jack and Diane is mentioned in a couple of top country hits currently be played on radio. I liken John Cougar to Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger and Jackson Brown all great song writers and story tellers about everyday life. Was fortunate to see John Cougar in concert and he put on a great show.

[@timishere1925]

I hate to nitpick but it's John Mellencamp. Cougar was a stage name used over 40 years ago and John couldn't stand the name.

[@teensymom1420]

John was born and still lives in southern Indiana. Being a proud Hoosier myself, I can safely say he is our native son. I have seen him live many, many times, even when no one really knew he was. I hope you get more into his songs. Cherry Bomb, ROCK in the USA, Again Tonight are great ones just to name a few. He hit the big time when he released Hurt So Good, Jack and Diane on his album American Fool. I really love his album before that Nothing Matters and What If It Did. Great album title and every song was great. Jack and Diane is just about living life to the fullest while you are young.

[@mrnobody9104]

every town has a story that closely resembles these lyrics. that's the beauty of his songs and it makes them relatable to us all!

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

One of my college classmates back in the 80s was named Diane, she had a boyfriend named Jack, and she wore Bobbie Brooks shorts. She came to hate this song.🤣

[@mrnobody9104]

@@dr.burtgummerfan439 I can imagine why, somebody's treasure always translates to someone else's trash!

[@angiewhite1402]

So true !

[@angiewhite1402]

Lol great song! Small towns

[@mrnobody9104]

@@angiewhite1402 timeless 8).

[@lindadixon4341]

You have to watch the actual video, not the lyrics. He is so DOPE! This song is about 30 years old and I am a Mellencamp life long fan!

[@michaelparsons5299]

Great song. Incredible rift. Sounds like it was written yesterday!

[@garykelly5710]

Asia got a beautiful voice

[@georgianajones2346]

Love John Cougar ! Got to see him in concert one year on my birthday! Greatest birthday ever! He’s got some really great songs! Pink Houses is one of my favorite alone with this one

[@technopirate304]

Back in the 1980s one of the daytime soap operas(The Young and The Restless) had two characters also named Jack and Diane. The couple were having a tumultuous on again off again affair. The producers heard about this song and actually got the rights to play it during one of their scenes.

[@TheChick24]

"Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone" one of my favorite lines of any song

[@Braveheart0484]

I first took notice of John Mellencamp with the song, "Crumbling Down." Went and bought the 45. Like others he's a great story teller.

[@medgal7]

Loved John Cougar, but more partial to "Pink Houses", "Rain on the Scarecrow", "R. O. C. K. In the USA", "Lonely old Night", "Authority song". He's a great storyteller... glad you both are listening. ❤

[@nadeydaquiroz4051]

I hadn't listened to this magnificent work of art in a while, what a voice, the melody, and lyrics. It is simply perfect. I love, love you John Cougar.

[@rubyleuty9417]

I love Little Pink Houses. John was the singer song writer for growing up in the Bible Belt. He lives in Hilton Head, SC. His daughter was on the Bravo reality show, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She wanted to go to CA and be an actress. He told her he would pay her way through college but if she went to CA she would do it on her own. She went to CA. She married a guy who installs sophisticated alarm systems for big corporations. They do very well. She was on the housewives show for 3 or 4 seasons but was fired. She didn’t bring anything to the show.

[@annother3350]

Jack was just keeping his hands warm on a cool evening 😉

[@that-avr-drummer]

There's a handful of songs that immediately bring me back to my childhood, the good old days of the 80s, and this is one of them!

[@irresistablegraceinchrist6690]

This one of my 'Go To's'' on my Karaoke nights.. always will be because it's a fav and one of the first songs I ever sang in live karoake!

[@lisas572]

Loved laying on my bed with headphones on and listening to John Mellencamp as a young teen in the early 80's.

[@renee9365]

I'm so happy to see you reacting to John Cougar Mellencamp. He will always be John Cougar to me because that's who he was when I first started listening to him. Jack and Diane was his first hit but he had many others. A few of my favorites are Cherry Bomb and Hurt So Good. Those songs were the soundtrack to my teenage years.

[@madmex2k]

Never heard the Jessica Simpson song, but I checked it out. She did bite the music from John Cougar Mellencamp. Asia got a good ear for catching it. Also, believe it or not, I have never heard Asia sing, that little bit of acapella of Jessica Simpson was on point! Asia got some pipes!

[@jerrybourland3346]

I was born in 1954. This song takes me back to my teens in "small town Oklahoma" where we would "cruise main" sit out by the drive in restaurants and just laugh and talk, maybe holding your squeeze! We could cruise all night, well until closing time plus a little, on a couple bucks woth of gas! Good times!

[@bobbyscarfo2544]

Here's a lil ditty....in November 1987 I saw John Cougar Mellencamp at The Spectrum in Philly, Lonesome Jubilee Tour...backstage passes...went to the concert with a leg cast from breaking my ankle playing hoops a week prior, anyway, in the "Green Room" after the show there was no place to sit except one long table, my ankle was killing me so I sat at the end of the table not knowing it was for the band. Long story short John entered with the band, he approached me and asked what happened, I explained, he left momentarily and came back with a Heineken for me and a Sharpie to sign the cast. The entire band signed it....I still have the cast as I made a "planter" out of it.

[@davidavi8554]

This was one of my favorite song in high school back in '82=83', and still love it today. It's got smooth singing Cougar, great beat, great drum solos,, and the mTV official music video is just good ole American classic rock feel to it.

[@The_Rev_Show]

If you haven't heard this song but most lyrics are "suckin on a chili dog" you're really missing out.

[@Triggerhippie70]

So I grew up during this time and my mother was crazy about John Mellencamp and this was her favorite song so I heard this a lot in our home. Hes amazing

[@Indy1831]

John Mellencamp is one of the best singer/songwriters ever………..He has many,many hits & is a great live entertainer!

[@jerickson725]

I'm not even going to begin listing his great songs, because there are too many; you can't go wrong! Early 80's many of us gals had quite the crush on Mr. Mellencamp, lol!

[@juliewhite7469]

Yes we did ! 💘

[@kfslat]

Yes we did

[@jennyboo9604]

♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@carlastanley1138]

Absolutely!!😊😉

[@Lisa-dn2gx]

You know when you're getting older when you hear a song that came out when you were a senior in HS! Can't believe it's been that many years... it's flown by!!

[@JustOneSue]

I would love to have those simpler good times back again😔

[@gallery963]

His first hit "Ain't even done with the night" is also about teen love.

[@peetwine4018]

His first hit was "I Need a Lover"

[@71viking]

This awesome 'coming of age' song came out when I was about 10 or 11...early puberty (get my drift?! lol) But I'll never forget listening to it on the radio back then. Top 10 all time for me, easy. Thanks guys!

[@jbsskid]

So many great songs with memories attached!!!!!!

[@davidedghill6682]

I’m compelled to suggest “Rain on the Scarecrow” and “Jackie Brown” as two of John Mellencamps best, but least known compositions. They both have a very powerful message that resonates today as much as they did when he released them. Much love from Australia ❤️

[@michaelmabrey6969]

Scarecrow is my fave from JCM

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Love this song, still ❤️

[@dynofx1132]

You released this on my 50th birthday. I started the 80's at age 8 and ended the decade just entering adulthood. Amazing time to be a kid

[@johnthegreek5836]

John Mellencamp’s music continues to keep getting better and better, he’s a very talented artist

[@trinityluv8560]

LEGAND . Never truly got this song till " LIFE MOVED ON " .Great reaction. #peaceandstaywild

[@karenrussell3326]

Growing up in the Heartland. Life goes on after all the problems of our teen years. I grew up in Indiana just a few miles from John Mellencamp's home town. He explains it perfectly.

[@nenelles-dancelikenobodysw8511]

His song SMALL TOWN is awesome!!!

[@vickiconley3638]

Yay! John Mellencamp! Let's go.

[@jek4837]

Great memory, Asia. She defiinitely used the song. When her song came out I remember being shocked it had taken so long for someone to sample Jack and Diane. I grew up in the midwest (like John Mellencamp), and my parents had taken us to a Tastee-Freez. I looked it up just now and had NO clue that Tastee-Freez originated in my hometown (Joliet, Illinois)! I knew Dairy Queen originated there, but never knew Tastee-Freez started there as well. Coincidentally enough, I grew up in a little pink house (one of my other favorite Mellencamp songs). Great reaction!

[@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny]

one of John's videos from back in the day was filmed close to my hometown of Effingham, IL...in Cowden, IL. I wanna say it's Pink Houses...was filmed in a field next to the covered bridge in Cowden, or so ive been told.

[@jek4837]

@@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny That's pretty cool. When I grew up, Joliet was kind of where the outer Chicago suburbs was transitioned from city to rural and farm areas, so I got a little of both worlds. You definitely grew up in a place that any of those classic Mellencamp songs would make you think about.

[@darrenchapman7500]

Asia and BJ….Johns got several songs that are Nostalgic or makes you look back in your life. “Check it Out, Lonely Ol’ Night, Rain on the Scarecrow, Pink Houses, Minutes to Memories”!

[@chadro_g1145]

If I remember right, the claps where not meant to stay in the song. It was being used as an early form of a click track to help him keep time. Once the manager, or producer, I forget which one, heard the difference they convinced him to keep it in. I cant imagine the song with out it.

[@darrenmiller6927]

Okay Asia AND BJ, you did it again. You took me all the way back ro high-school with that, again. Boy the changes came around, I'll be 58 soon. Not my favorite of his but I loved it when it came out. He has many great deep soulful songs. Hard not to love brother John. A real story teller.

[@chrystiholt5273]

He is awesome in concert!!!

[@dethdef]

"I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" by Jake Owen, a recent country song that was inspired by "Jack & Diane" not sure if anyone mentioned this yet cause there are over 250 comments already didn't check em all out, but thought I'd mentioned it anyways.

[@Mainecoonlady.]

Young people today crack me up. Sixties was the rebellion and sexual revolution decade, 70s was about protest and civil rights. The 80s… we just wanted to have fun. Sex drugs and rock and roll baby, behind that shady tree! Woohoo! Y’all ain’t foolin us. You were 16 once too. Grab the good times while you can. Soon enough we are grown with jobs , kids and a lawn mower. We had fun while we could.

[@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny]

that snappy percussion on the song that's so iconic is a Linn Drum (the drum machine that gave the laser-beam disco drum sound of the 70s). When John was recording this album, the Bee Gees were also recording a few rooms down from John. It's the Bee Gee's Linn Drum making that snappy clap on this song, arguably the most iconic part of the song. EDIT: yes Asia, you are correct. Jessica sampled that part of the song for one of her songs.

[@keithetherington678]

React to John Mellencamp video, Pink Houses. He has a lot of great music this one of favorite songs by this artist. He's in the song writer's hall of fame and rock in roll hall of fame. Him , Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen are 3 of America's best song writers in my opinion.

[@blackkatt777]

That acoustic guitar riff came from Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. This is my second favorite Mellencamp song. The first is Little Pink Houses.

[@russlanders6518]

I have a friend that is a songwriter …. He always says write what you know 🤷‍♂️😂😂….

[@2zxodcfm]

Love John Mellencamp Americana tunes. I find him quite unique. Try Cherry Bomb next. I believe you'll love his always worthwhile messages.

[@edwardcrews2952]

Fire!! Thank you

[@gabrielgibson9081]

This is a song that Mellencamp was prepared to drop. Wasn't going to record it or put it on an album. He had the lyrics but couldn't come up with the music, everything came up empty. He had a connection with Mick Ronson the solo artist that was David Bowie's and Ian Hunter's guitarist. He shared it with Ronson and he did the musical arrangement that sealed the deal and made the album cut. It was Mellencamp's biggest hit. You should check out some Mick Ronson.

[@MyargonautsJason]

So many great songs from John you can check out including Cherry Bomb, Pink Houses, Check it Out, and Paper in Fire, but one song from later in his career that I think you would really enjoy is Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) - great flavors in that one!

[@DavidSingerSongwtr]

Small Town and Pink Houses are great songs also.

[@barryroberts6796]

Minutes to memories..John mellenccamp.good song

[@bobschenkel7921]

A cleverly crafted pop love song that will live forever, because the themes are so universal.

[@billallen1307]

As you age you will appreciate this song more and more. This song was on every hour on the radio on the redneck riviera (Panama City to Pensacola Florida) the summer before college. The things that thrilled me then no longer do. Life goes on. Long after the thrill of living is gone. Hold on to 16. Changes come around and make us women and men. And now pushing toward an old man.

[@jmuraidajr]

The small town I'm from was DeMotte, Indiana but I used to go Deer hunting down around Seymour, Indiana where John is from!!

[@susanelkins3068]

BJ! You caught the best lyrics! Well done! Holdin' on to sixteen as long as you can Change is coming 'round real soon Make us women and men

[@ajclements4627]

It’s about being young while you can, ‘cause being an adult can suck lol.

[@mccoymrm]

Asia's facial expressions and BJ's depth of thought make your channel golden!

[@ursulaturner7980]

This song is so true... life goes on... AMEN

[@BeastrealDT]

Was invited to see him live in concert for free. Surprised at how he rocked that show. Definitely a great concert. This was his breakout song. Before this he was a blue collar construction worker from Indiana. ✌️

[@juliekleinbach6570]

Your voice is beautiful, Asia! Love hearing you sing out!!!

[@markmurphy558]

Along with Bob Seeger, Mellencaamp is the voice of the American Midwest, extolling the simple pleasure and lamenting the sadness of loss within the Amarican dream. No shades of grey, just black and white in the Great American Middle.

[@dianaprobst3157]

Paper in Fire, Rain on a Scarecrow, Little Pink Houses, Hurts So Good, Cherry Bomb, Lonely Ol' Night, more...there's a deep rabbit hole here. He makes music you can relate to.

[@glassontherocks]

We had the passion pits (Drive-ins) back in my High Schooldays in the late 60's. "Rain on the Scarecrow" is another good one by Mellencamp.

[@SuperGorgar]

Asia, you have an awesome voice. I'm convinced more than ever that you are the singer in the "makes me crazy" theme song!

[@Mona.555]

Finally! John Mellencamp has many great songs about life. Great artist! Try his latest “Grandview”. Also “Pink Houses” from the 80’s

[@ronparsons8786]

John is a great American storyteller with many many hits. Others have mentioned them I'm partial to Ain't Even Done With the Night I Need A Lover

[@Renkk17]

More John Cougar Mellencamp - Crumbling Down - Pink Houses - Hurts so Good - Authority song

[@BobJohnson-mq2dr]

Man this takes me back..thanks for the memories guys

[@bakercarl8518]

Yeah, y'all hitting on one of my favorites. Yes, still have his posters and his complete collection. BJ once again great explanation.

[@peridotdiamondruby]

Love this song 🎶

[@ericwilliams1031]

Some of his early hits "I Need A Lover (That Won't Drive Me Crazy)" and "Ain't Even Done With The Night" from when he went by just John Cougar. Record company made him use that name.

[@kylesummers1565]

Great Song! Peace, Love!

[@chantellecline6945]

He has alot of hits, try Rain on the Scarecrow, Pink Houses, A Hand to Hold On To, Ain't Even Done With the Night, Authority Song, Hurts So Good, Authority Song, and I Need a Lover and my favorite Minutes to Memories.

[@victorcarrasco3040]

I like the way Asia thinks. Her interpretation of it, at least from what I heard was, the song, Jack was kinda saying " hit it and quit it" and life goes on.😂😉✌️😎🎶🙏🌹❣️💯

[@tinanickerson1006]

Its the small town theater....when your a kid the thrill of experiencing things and learning that there are consenquences down the road to actions we take that cause people to have to grow up and you lose the innocence of youth in the process. It is the point where we all have to grow up and become resposible adults and not quite as free to take risks without consequences as we get older. :)

[@davidmazon7516]

You know, there is a video to this. You're missing out! This was one of the first videos that came out on MTV, the day when MTV used to play videos. So you know what? It was played over and over and over so much that I got so damn sick of it. But 40 years later... I love it.

[@friendme12345]

Nice pick guys - 80s classic that played on almost every station...summertime fun

[@geoffsullivan7902]

Story teller, gotta love that….❤️🎼❤️

[@markbaker3013]

Thank you for sharing this with me