First Time Hearing John Mellencamp - “Pink Houses” Reaction | Asia and BJ

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[@davidmaddox1216]

I love how this song pulls off being a love letter to blue-collar America and a critique at the same time.

[@debrabeck9630]

Agreed. He makes it clear in the first verse that those little pink houses weren’t for everyone.

[@loadedorygun]

he’s so good with that. He writes like Van Gogh painted.

[@trumphatesyou]

This and Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." are so far taken out of context its embarrassing. But apparently we are not that smart collectively!

[@willasacco9898]

Excellent summary - The American dichotomy encapsulated in a moving (actually and physically) song.

[@heavydown2582]

Yes!! At the time, my hell-raising buddies didn't see the "critique" part of the song. The part that challenges the U.S.---to continue to do the hard work required to become, "...a more perfect union."

[@steveh7108]

It's an old metaphor for the American dream of having a little pink house with a white picket fence. It used to be the dream was not to be famous or filthy rich people were quite content with having a simple little home and to provide for their family and sit back on their porch on their retirement years and enjoy the grandkids and your home.

[@yrankin1]

John has always been singing about simple working class middle America.

[@Orange6921]

Yet his politics support left wing elitism and big government. I just can't understand that dichotomy. But I still love him music, its pure heartland America.

[@amitabhhajela681]

@@Orange6921 Big government like in Europe where many things work better than here?

[@Orange6921]

@@amitabhhajela681 What planet are you living on? The average American lives in bigger houses, has more cars, has more children, has more disposable income for better and longer vacations, has such an abundant access to food that obesity is a major issue. The Europeans that actually have a lot of money typically fly over here for surgeries and serious medical care. Most European countries do not even have a real military, the depend on NATO and The United states for those things. There is a reason millions of people across the globe are willing to DIE or give up their own children to get them into the United States.

[@jkbezo1]

@@amitabhhajela681 There are always people throwing around their political opinions. Ignore him jaja

[@seventhskin1]

Yeah, I'm almost 50 and I remember when this song came out. It made a huge impression in my mind as a boy. Those pink houses were that metaphorical "American Dream" which is, on a basic level, the same for all of us regular folks no matter what our dreams are. We just want to make it and be happy. Having that "little pink house," to me anyway, is like fulfilling that dream to be content in life.

[@darlenegattus8190]

Yes

[@jek4837]

I'm about the same age and grew up in the midwest (Joliet, Illinois). I lived in one of those little pink houses until I was around 6 or 7 when we painted it yellow. Coincidentally, my hometown is also where Tastee Freez was founded (from the song Jack & Diane where they were sucking on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez.) Sadly, I didn't know that until about 15 years ago (when I found out that Dairy Queen was also from my hometown).

[@barrymacaukiner963]

Nailed it!

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

52 here. You nailed it. That's what it is - an illusion!

[@jonmarretta2459]

@@jek4837 I am from Rock Island good to hear from family:)

[@davidhapka5410]

Spot on BJ...John Mellencamp is from the heartland and speaking for the common folk musically. The song and video is bittersweet in its theme about America and those of us who just make it day to day.

[@bobbyscarfo2544]

Here's a John Mellencamp story for ya.... in November 1987, at The Spectrum in Philly I saw John during the Lonesome Jubilee Tour... it's was my 21st Birthday. We had post concert backstage passes, unfortunately 3 days prior to the show I broke my ankle playing basketball, so I had a cast and a walking boot on my leg when I went to the show. Anyway, after the show, in the Green Room, we all were hanging out... my ankle was throbbing, there was no place to sit down and relax as all the seats were taken.... but, there was a large table in front of the room with a dozen vacant chairs. Not knowing it was for John and the band, I sat down.... no one said anything to me, and moments later the band and John walked in. As they all started sitting down a security guy came up and said I had to move as the seats were reserved for the band....but....John noticed I had the cast on, came up and asked "how did ya break your leg kid?"....I made the story brief, (unlike this post), and also told him it was my 21st Birthday and that the show was fantastic. John left momentarily, then came back with 6 Heinekens.... opened up the beers for my Cousin Tony and I, sat down, drank 2 beers with us.... got a Sharpie, and he and the entire band signed my cast. Point is, he was super cool.... and I still have the signed cast 35 years later....I made a Planter outta it. Hope you enjoyed.... great channel.... repeat offender....

[@derrickmoite7125]

❤

[@quixote6942]

The "Little pink houses for you and me" refers to the Track Housing, where each house is the same design and outside color. Back in the Day, that was the "American Dream" A nice Modern Home, with a 2 car Garage, and the Perfect Family with 2 kids and a pet.

[@AsiaandBJ]

Thanks for the info

[@whiskeywhiskeyromeo3730]

@@AsiaandBJ yep..the post war suburb explosion essentially....houses all the same and in LA they were actually....pink......represents the post war nuclear family of mom, dad 2.5 kids, dog and fine American auto in your driveway....this is what has been destroyed in America and it is sad....our jobs that kept our families together regardless of skin color....is gone compared to these times!

[@reneerocha1796]

Cookie cutter houses, I think they were called at one time.

[@stevetanner3019]

There was about 15 years that everything Mellencamp touched turned to gold. He was one of the biggest rock stars for about a decade and a half

[@galenstone9097]

Love this song. The Blue collar successor to Bruce Springsteen. John Mellencamp had some of the best of the era.

[@tinanickerson1006]

John Couger Mellencamp is praised for being a voice for the small town life and world and the hopes and dreams that are too often disappointments for Americans. The "Pink houses" references is the stereotype of " white pickeded fences" that the world thinks are expressions of success and wealth for this country. Of course the "American Dream" is evolving yearly and is not quite as simple as it used to be. The simple man and the simple average American's are the ones that carry the weight of taxes and bills for this country. Mellencamp is a hero for the farmer and small town world. I wonder what has happened to him ...he was super popular and controversial in the early 80's to the early 90's and he just sorta fell off the face of the earth. Check out his song "Human Wheels" one of my all time faves of his.

[@revwillyg6450]

He decided to go home and make art and just live his life. Said he never liked touring. He's been making music this whole time, but his chain smoking really messed up his singing voice.

[@CS-hb2lk]

He does Farmaid every year with Willie Nelson. I think it’s coming up in September

[@billallen1307]

He got old. And got enough f-u money that he does what he wants.

[@EShelby2127]

I remember (I'm 65), Ronald Reagan's 1984 re-election team wanted to use the song. John Cougar said: "Maybe they should listen to it first"...

[@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", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town", "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.", "Paper In Fire", "Wild Night" etc.

[@bendyrland7213]

Coincidentally I lived in a little pink house in a small Midwestern town growing up. In my area, houses such as this are often referred to as "railroad houses". Many small, cookie cutter houses were built to house rail workers and their families when the railroad was king. John tells some pretty good stories about everyday America and it's people. As always, thanks for reacting.

[@Orange6921]

Same here in West Virginia with the coal camp houses. I live in one now built in the 40's.

[@Terri6868]

I Always call them shotgun houses.

[@robertajones6311]

I grew up in a little pink house also. They were very common in the south too. lol

[@sabrenas7895]

He is from Seymore In, has always supported farmers and yes he's talking about working people in America 🙂

[@carlaweems72]

Oh man, I am so glad to hear this song again.. John Mellencamp.. one of the best rockers ever.. and yeah, the man can dance. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG.. SO POWERFUL..images are super strong..

[@jasonremy1627]

One of his first big hits was "I Need A Lover". It's got a great slow-build intro. A great song to get lost in.

[@kellymckinney9050]

One of my favorites from his John Cougar days

[@jesserojas8416]

I need a lover was a cover song from John. He didn't write that one

[@keithbrown7685]

@@jesserojas8416 I know Pat Benatar did her own version.

[@jamesburns8827]

Mellencamp is the man. He puts on the Farm Aid concert every year to benefit Farms. Quietly a very dark individual and a good artist as well as musician and songwriter. This is one of the first songs I learned on guitar

[@sabrinamassie5606]

back in the 60s and early 70s, going to my grandparents house out in the country - we passed a little pink house ... When this song came out, I was in my early teens and I remember consciously looking at that house every time we passed. It was a Black family and they didn't seem to have much extra cash - but they ALWAYS were outside on the porch - laughing, snappin' beans, grandkids playing in the yard. they were Happy ... So this song always reminds me to remember how HAPPY we can be if we don't worry about what we don't have and just thoroughly enjoy what we DO have ! blessings to all ...

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

You got it. Amen.

[@tylercatron9783]

I'm from seymour indiana the same place john was born and raised. A few years back the city painted a huge mural of him downtown on one the old buildings. Alot of his music videos were filmed around Southern Indiana I've seen alot of the locations in this video on a daily basis.

[@ericwilliams1031]

A couple of his early hits are "Ain't Even Done With The Night" in the official video his band does some Motown choreography. Also "I Need A Lover (That Won't Drive Me Crazy) "

[@angelachafens2209]

This is my favorite of John’s but you should try “Rain on the Scarecrow”. It’s exactly what’s happening today

[@k_salter]

Classic! So, on the pink house thing: According to John in an interview: "There was an old black man sitting outside his little pink shotgun house with his cat in his arms, completely unperturbed by the traffic speeding along the highway in his front yard. "He waved, and I waved back. That's how 'Pink Houses' started." It's really an anti-America song ruminating on how the American dream is dead.

[@keithbrown7685]

But not to that dude who waved back. He *got* what he wanted. I think that's what counts, being satisfied with life, even happy.

[@jaknazryth2488]

John Cougar Mellencamp's style of music is sometimes called "Heartland Rock". His song "Little Pink Houses" is a simple story about how normal, middle America blue collar families only need a simple life in a small house surrounded by family, and they are content and very happy with that life. He compares that to Rich people who only know life as "Working in some high rise and vacation in the Gulf of Mexico". It's comparing two American dreams. One is the simple life with a simple house but with love and family, then other is selling yourself to a big business for a big house and expensive cars, only to be rewarded with a short trip to the beach once a year. Other songs you should check out is "Jack and Dianne", "Small Town", "ROCK in the USA", "Lonely ol' Night", and "Cherry Bomb"

[@thedealer777]

Little Pink Houses could be about the American Dream of home ownership. He may be referring to the old multiple similar houses built on a tract (area) of land that was subdivided into smaller lots, back in the 40s and 50s. According to Mellencamp, the song's a look at the demise of the American Dream. "The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore." He writes about the “American experience” and his lyrics describe the shotgun-flicker of everyday kind of challenges of living in America, and being part of the "American fabric," and though this was recorded in the 80s, he may have sung about the schism or growing divide between rich and poor, and the shrinking middle-class.

[@mirasolbalaga5616]

Yes, I greatly admire John Mellencamp’s dance moves and love that reactors are noticing that. My favorite part of this video is when he’s kicking his legs up through the fields. You would never think he’d be such a passionate performer. Such a great song and video❤️.

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

A beautifully worded strong but loving protest song 💪♥️🇺🇸

[@grahamsmith3061]

Indiana boy here. Looks like home. Have driven through his hometown. Love that he used real footage from Indiana here!

[@andreadraper6533]

He is the most authentic person in music today besides maybe Dolly Parton

[@surlechapeau]

Asia & BJ, you’ll love his "I Need A Lover","Wild Night" and “Small Town !!!

[@aileenturrietta7553]

I need a Lover is the very first song I heard from him and I was hooked. Still played on FM in it's entirety.

[@thomast8539]

Nothing for Jack and Diane?

[@surlechapeau]

@@thomast8539 they reacted to Jack & Diane 5 months ago

[@mrb2163]

Paper in Fire

[@laurab391]

John Mellencamp, a home town boy, singing about home towns in the good old USA.

[@bobdroll6381]

John Mellencamp- "Check It Out" is another great song.

[@christyverplank3552]

One of my favorites. Gives me chills.

[@lindahendricks1868]

My favorite of John's catalog is ( cherry Bomb ) and ( paper in fire )! I'm from a little town in Indiana as well. I spotted him at the local mall with his family one Sunday many years ago! We live about an hours drive apart. He can dance n does in several videos. Keep going down the rabbit hole. It's a good one to go down. He doesn't disappoint.

[@rhigh100]

John was singing in clubs in NYC to make some money while he was in art school. A record company guy saw him and signed him to a recording contract. And he had never written a song. But he learned quick.

[@WinteryMix84]

Pink houses = the American Dream, but it’s also a statement that not everybody gets a to live their dream. But still it’s a an optimistic tune. At Obama’s first inauguration, when 2 million people attended he sang this song on the Mall and everybody was singing along. It was a magic moment of unity!

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

Loved your reaction. Absolutely love John Mellencamp. A lot of his songs are about every day people. If you would like to hear a real gem you should also listen to (Jackie Brown) because we should all give a damn about Jackie Brown.❤️✌️🌼

[@aland4092]

I've always loved John Cougar . I'm glad someone finally reacted to him. He's got alot of good ones. He's a regular kind of guy. I've seen him just hanging out at the mall with his wife. Chilling at the food court.

[@darylquirk1992]

His very first No1 was in Australia ‘I need a lover’, a song us Aussies love!

[@kennethisaac3799]

I remember when MTV gave away a pink house in a contest back in the day.

[@tammycrase3628]

He doesn't have a bad song!!!!!

[@coreywickramasekera9968]

I have always been a JOHN MELLENCAMP fan, because I was born in INDIANA, and this is probably my favorite song, besides JACK AND DIANE, and HURTS SO GOOD

[@Gashouse69]

This video was huge on MTV when it came out. Yea, MTV use to actually play music videos. Mtv had a contest where the winner got flown to a concert for the weekend, VIP tickets and they won a pink house in Mellencamps hometown.

[@xoxxobob61]

I remember that Contest! God we are Old!

[@Gashouse69]

@@xoxxobob61 No. We are well seasoned. ;)

[@xoxxobob61]

@@Gashouse69 That too! 😂

[@jameswright1382]

I live in Seymour in. I moved here 32yrs ago. I see what John is saying in this song. Love it here!

[@timothyomalley9202]

My Pops put me On Mellencamp when I was A KID who just loved hip hop, But HIM and BILLY JOELL ARE INSANE. ''I fought the law'' Banger

[@darrenmiller6927]

You just have to love that guy. I remember Jack and Diane in high school. Very soulful guy. I always liked his dancing too. Loved this song too, just after high school for me, I believe.

[@hondony1]

The song is a wonderful depiction of how no matter how our lives play out we have to remain hopeful and enjoy our 'American Dream' aka little pink house for good or bad.

[@michaelscoggins3503]

Back in the day there was a slate siding that builders used on cheap houses. The most popular color for them was pink. You would see these houses in Mill Villages and on small farms. My family owned one that my Grandparents lived in. They were usually just four rooms with a bathroom " That was an upgrade" and a front and rear porch.

[@patriciaellis4848]

I was in junior and senior high school when his music was popular. We all liked his music back then.

[@chriswheeler151]

this song is about the injustice and bias in this country , relisten to the lyrics and remember that John is an activist against injustice .

[@Tijuanabill]

It's like Mellencamp and Springsteen had a contest to see who could make the most songs about blue collar America, and it was a clear tie.

[@jasonsilva9654]

Love them both.

[@jimdunagan4180]

You know what I think he's singing about...The American Dream....The right to pursue happiness....a little pink house for all of us. Our place.

[@Niecy70]

I love that John Cougar Mellencamp can be a down-home country boy and a liberal at the same time!❤️

[@dollcf6722]

Little pink houses were a thing in everyday America in the 60-70s. I was born in 1968 and my Mom said they were renting a pink house when I was born.

[@glenngotling657]

He comes from a small town in Indiana and much of his music is "small town USA" inspired. The little pink houses is a metaphor for small town USA but there are actually little houses in small towns and many of them are pink. I'll bet there were little pink houses in his home town.

[@meganstorm3248]

Yeah, Mellencamp's always been a great voice for the working & lower classes, at least as much as Springsteen, but more rural/ Heartland focused. Y'all should check out Scarecrow to hear him mad about it. He's got a LONG list of iconic hits (singles and albums) in classic rock, spanning decades... but he seems to e one of those greats that flies under the radar if you're not into their specific genre.

[@jamigates6204]

John Mellencamp still lives in Seymour Indiana. He never moved away, raised his kids in his hometown!

[@Terri6868]

John is from my town, in southern Indiana. All the scenes are from my county the town is where I live. John hated the name Cougar the record company thought it made his name sound better. I could tell you more about him. 🌟🌟

[@darkphyn]

In the late 80s, I went to a JCM concert & they had a voter registration booth. I've always carried the memory of signing up for that with me, & that he cared to promote good citizenship!

[@willfromyadkinville]

my 80s! you got me! so glad you watched the original Video! really drives home the meaning!

[@tonyhernandez669]

I remember one of the celebrations on President Obama Inauguration Day was a outdoor concert in front one of the monuments. Cold as hell and they had a variety of singers. Out comes John Melencamp to sing this song. A song about a black man, living next to a freeway, in little pink house. At first I thought it was rude, offensive even. Then I got a hold of myself and realized that it was perfect. Only in America baby.

[@pamelalee1508]

"Little Pink Houses for you and me"... The small dreams of everyday folks... I think you got it right...🌿🌿🌿

[@retroregroove]

I remember when MTV and JM gave away a little pink house in Indiana! Anyone else remember that? I love the 80's!

[@Jd-im4my]

When we could openly sing about being a proud American and working hard to achieve our dreams. Was a great time to have been growing up. Love you guys.❤❤❤💜💙

[@unclebobunclebob]

"It's really an anti-American song," Mellencamp told Rolling Stone about "Pink Houses." "The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in." Inspiration for this song came when Mellencamp was driving on Interstate 65 in Indianapolis.

[@sabrinamassie5606]

I remember that very article! And I refused to feel that when I hear this song - then and now. I prefer to hear it as a pro-Freedom, pro-American ballad ... It's much more enjoyable for me that way ... Have a good one --- 🙂

[@unclebobunclebob]

@@sabrinamassie5606 I actually think it's kinda both. But hey, he wrote it.

[@Back2SchoolReactions]

A lot of older homes were painted pink. Pink houses for you and me, the American Dream.

[@fairydust-weepthewildwinds]

Asia and BJ, one of my favorite ROAD TRIP songs…. I have his CD, and play it while on the Road💙🎸🎶

[@exerciseforidiots2296]

We’re all the same, all Americans, striving for a little better life. 48 and I love this song.

[@timhood1229]

See him in Nashville in 1992 give one of the best concerts I've went to, play for 21/2 hours

[@bexanne99]

I’ve seen him twice live and he was awesome! Sounded just like the albums and danced up a storm!

[@bobwowk8440]

He has a really cool song called Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First) which has Matthew McConaughey in the video.

[@Indy1831]

Mellencamp is one of America’s greatest singer-songwriters.

[@kevincaulder20]

After watching you react to the Chris Rock routine, here you two go playing John Cougar Mellencamp records. What's next mayonnaise sandwiches and the trailer park? Just kidding. But John is a man of the common people. The hard working farmer and the poor who work hard to provide for their families. He loves James Brown records, shooting from the hip, and doing things his own way. The song you want next is one based on the teachings.of Ecclesiastes. It's called, PAPER IN FIRE. The song sizzles and pops like hot cooking grease and the message is clear. And so is his love for the everyday people who often are left behind. Like the old black man on his porch in this video. For more, play TUMBLING DOWN and PLAY GUITAR from the album, UH, HUH. Enjoy.

[@babylonsister118]

If you do Paper in Fire it has GOT to be the official video! It's SO fun!

[@marylee7467]

John was pure blue collar, the farmers. Those who struggle every day against the corporations buying up everything. Little pink houses, your little plot of land, we all want. You should check out Rain On The Scarecrow by him. It's another great one about how farmers are losing. He was also responsible for Farm-Aid back in the 90s to raise money and awareness for the plight of the farmers.

[@mikecreger9702]

Saw him both times he was in Oklahoma, 40 yrs apart. Both great shows! Listen to "Check it Out" live from Market Square Arena next time you do John Mellencamp.

[@elthompson3585]

Yes

[@mikehowell7380]

THE LITTLE PINK HOUSES ARE A METAPHOR TO THE AMERICAN DREAM WE SEE WHO OCCUPIES THE MANSIONS NOT EVERYONE CAN pull THEMSELVES UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS...WE CAN ALL DO MORE ❤

[@INDYANDY4C]

100% Hoosier you can see that pink house from I 65 South in Indy from 38th to 30th streets. He waved to everyone going by. And the vacation in the Gulf of Mexico scene was filmed at Lake Monroe.

[@markwilliamson4834]

These pink stucco houses were common small style homes in the Midwest due to the materials in the area.

[@paulashanks3129]

Some of us live in fancy house but the majority are living in our regular lives and loving it ❤️

[@tinamakaneole8866]

You making me homesick, I was born an hour away from Johnny Cougar in Seymour, and Axl Rose in Lafayette.☺️ Not to mention David Lee Roth in Bloomington. Hometown boys. Oh, and Motley Crue’s Mick Mars. 😍🤩

[@mattmatthew7148]

He came into our store, Hills Department Store in Bloomington, Indiana and asked if we were selling any Mellencamp albums

[@wayneclendenen2036]

John is from my home state of Indiana...He is from a small town and writes about life in little town America...By the way, he hates the name cougar...That was added on by record executives when he first got his start...John was also involved with helping farmers when they were having trouble...

[@bcbrave21]

When I was growing up john was my neighbor, well his parents house. I came home on Thanksgiving and him and the kids were riding four wheelers in the fields behind our house cool moment. But need to listen to play guitar.

[@richardkilgore8922]

San Francisco! Alot of the Houses on the Hills surrounding the city painted a pastel pink! You can see them from most bridges and freeways! Little pink houses as far as the eyes see!😆

[@maruad7577]

When I hear "little pink houses for you and me" I feel like he is referencing the Malvina Reynolds song "Little Boxes" (a hit for Pete Seeger).

[@babylonsister118]

If you do Paper in Fire you HAVE to do the official video. It's great fun. BTW, regarding his dancing he has a song called Tumblin Down where he says," Some people say I'm obnoxious and lazy That I'm uneducated and my opinion means nothin' But I know I'm a real good dancer"! love it! Also he does a cover of Van Morrison's, Wild Nights, with an little know but AMAZING bass player named Meshell Ndegeochello. I think you'll like it!

[@ryan23791]

Its really a song that pokes at the American dream. What we believe to be true about this country and our 'freedoms' is not quite as promised.

[@wakejake433]

There used to be a board game by Milton Bradley called “LIFE”and you could purchase homes and the houses were pink!!

[@fairydust-weepthewildwinds]

Pays the Thrills, Pays The Bills, Pays The Pills That Kill. Love the song. Another good one is Cherry Bomb, song about being a young and memory.❤️👍🏽

[@danreed5171]

Classic cut......Im BADASS on this with KARAOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@billallen1307]

MTV gave away a literal oink house as a promo for this song.

[@daniellesedore2359]

I’ve always like john Mellencamp I think his catalogue is worth diving into ✌️

[@Beehindblueyes]

It is referring to the American Dream, a house for everyone with yard and a picket fence.

[@michellekeyes1507]

Pink was a popular color choice for low income homes built post WWII. With regular maintenence, most were repainted to trendier colors. By the 80s, most little pink houses remaining were small, run down and dilapidated.

[@randytorres8211]

Per Songfacts "It's really an anti-American song," Mellencamp told Rolling Stone about "Pink Houses." "The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in." Inspiration for this song came when Mellencamp was driving on Interstate 65 in Indianapolis. As described in the first verse, he saw a black man sitting in a lawn chair just watching the road. The image stuck with Mellencamp, who wasn't sure if the man should be pitied because he was desolate, or admired because he was happy.

[@keithbrown7685]

I'd say the guy had it made, because he *was* happy. He got hold of the very thing that others go after in all sorts of fkkt up, back-stabbing ways... that climb to the top, where you're left wondering 'what next? where's the house on the hill so I can quit running?'

[@kennethkearney116]

The home of the free!!! Let's keep it that way!

[@thekingcobra63]

My all time favorite John Mellencamp song.

[@bimini1216]

He saw a black man in a pink house who waved at him and he was struck by the guys smile. In the video it shows the guy maybe. He talked about that moment in a field as a kid looked at the smile. The guy was on his porch. Happy. In a salmon colored house

[@terryconnelly484]

Driving to the country you may see a pink house every once in a while It's a metaphor for people are free to do their own thing... our houses don't have to be the same

[@christianm7220]

John lays bare America like none other. He shows the good and the bad.

[@CatherinePearl100]

In addition to what everyone else here has been saying about the Pink Houses being part of the American dream with the white picket fences, it’s worth noting that in the Midwest in the 70s, some of the low income tract housing, one of the main colors was pink.

[@dimedraweriv258]

Pink houses derives from the color of the wood after it was treated they built houses for returning WW 2 vets.

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

This song makes me cry. I hear two messages. John loved black people. So glad you reacted to this. Not many have. Be blessed A & B. Rain on the scarecrow next.

[@classiclife7204]

Amazing how well this holds up. Songs like this can seem preachy as they age, like an old man from the past waggling a finger at us, but nah, this sounds nice and is still relevant, perhaps more now than then.