John Mellencamp - Ultra-Rare 1978 "I Need A Lover" Performance and Interview

[@misfit8308]

I saw "John Cougar" open up for The Kinks, in support of his first album. It's never easy to open for well known, established rock and roll bands. After all, the people didn't pay to see the opening act. He came out on stage and was twirling his microphone like Roger Daltrey, and jumping onto the shoulders of his guitar player. It was clear that this kid was a showman, but behind all those entertaining antics, he had some really great songs. He was memorable. I think that's the best thing you can ever say about the opening band. I went out the next day and bought his album. Been a fan ever since.

[@2bcYT]

Fantastic story! John Cougar was ahead of his time. His dance moves in this number shows pure artistic talent. Been long time fan, too. This link goes to a different recording of same song when he wore the red sweater and his backup singers wore pink. Fabulously choreographed dance moves: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3Srp3eGh7yagJY

[@misfit8308]

@@2bcYT I thoroughly enjoyed that, DiDi. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@MIkeHaubrichikonokast]

I saw him open for Heart, and he played more like it was a double-bill at a festival rather than as the "opening act." It was a fantastic night, seeing both bands!

[@spidgeb3292]

I saw him during the Kinks tour, too! Champaign, Illinois. I turned to my buddy and asked him what he thought. He said "Damn good." I agreed.

[@jimg6261]

@@MIkeHaubrichikonokast I saw him in Minneapolis, MN on that same tour and that night I thought he stole the show from Heart

[@sing2me]

Wonderful to see this gem of a beginning for the most beautiful singer and songwriter I've loved since 1978.

[@mikepower3720]

wow awesome young man! what a performance! Such memories of this song as well

[@izzy_6283]

He's certainly been honest from the very beginning & he is a realist! Love seeing clips of him from 70s & early 80s😍

[@musicfanhawk4523]

So true and me too, just love seeing vintage stuff, he has been real all thru his career. Love him

[@paulaneary7877]

WOW, the interview is amazing. What a genuine, caring, intelligent young man. Love him. You can tell at the end of the interview by his eyes when they are done talking that he is truly not really into all the hype.

[@czettle14]

This clip is absolute gold for a lifetime fan like me. And the show probably gave him the choice to lip sink or sing live and he took the high road.

[@lindadixon4341]

It's making me laugh....I too am a lifelong fan and he was so young here and he looks like he was trying to imitate Mick Jagger with the dancing. He was in his PRIME in the late 80's and I have seen him at Madison Square Garden too many times to remember! LOVE him and was so lucky to meet him at a record signing too!

[@paulmembrey7911]

actually he had no choice- Australian TV, very rarely recorded 'live' with audience without all artists being live. Television of the day would have heavily criticised him otherwise, like been scathing and affected his popularity. . BTW- I found it interesting that this song was only a No 1, in Australia- sure we don't have the audience share of population but music is music. The long version was played some 90% on Australia radio.which sold more of the album. Plus on jukeboxes the long play was as a rare 45 (I believe only pressed for jukebox)whjich had it played as a consistent top choice . Cheers! Nice to see Don Lane's Show- this was our equivalent of Johnny Carson.

[@ApplePie..]

It's hilarious.

[@bobbytucker6569]

By far my favorite Mellencamp song.. Best live version i've seen of this song on KZbin.

[@kayleeholtsclaw4722]

maybe the best live lip-synced version

[@jonathankohns7848]

This is as live as Mary Antoinette

[@jrawk5594]

This was not lipsynced...the music was a playback but he was actually singing.

[@izzy_6283]

That required a huge amount of confidence..1978 Australia', that's why he made it..believed in himself & never gave up. .man i wish i could've been friends & hung out with him,bc he has a great personality & so intelligent- he's just awesome!!

[@Aikibobby333]

This is awesome. I have never seen this video before. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@stonesauer5781]

John had such an Amazing & Soulful voice !

[@hollyherring71]

This is amazing! Thanks so much for posting.

[@freeanimals594]

Wow! What an intelligent man. I also loved his music a lot. Particularly the song that he just sang.

[@2bcYT]

I agree. This is another hot video of his from 1981. Red sweater; backup wearing pink tuxes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3Srp3eGh7yagJY

[@DWhite2280]

Thanks for sharing this great video!

[@EricMartinSmithOfficial]

How on earth is this NOT viral with like 2 billion hits?

[@johnconway9882]

It'll make its way around NOW -- after the Toledo incident, the latest of a series that reveal Mellencamp is pretty much of a disagreeable a-hole.

[@RoyPage1970]

​@@johnconway9882PHUCK TRAITOR COWARD TRUMP !!!!

[@justycel4155]

His voice amd energy in this clip are incredible. And he was so cute and young here. The lyrics of this song state what we're all feeling but he had the courage to write about it. Fan for life here!

[@flankerroad7414]

Cool to see this!! He was one of those somewhat rare people who can really sing. I hear traces of 'Jack and Diane,' but so what. An excellent interview....John was able to speak and we got sone insight into his character and music!!

[@mybabba]

I saw him around this time at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco and he was wonderful!

[@debby631]

Ultra rare from 1978. He had his first #1 in Australia with this song. Good karma great things in this man's future❣❤🤘❤❤🤘❤❤❤🤘

[@maxward1660]

I think it peaked at #5.

[@debby631]

@@maxward1660 I am just repeating what John said in one of his interviews. He said it was his first number one not in America but Australia.

[@maxward1660]

@@debby631 I understand. I don’t know what chart he is talking about. On the pop charts in Australia it peaked at #5. It peaked at #28 in America.

[@jjmanzano9]

That is so awkward without a band or backup vocalists. It looks like Mellencamp doing karaoke to his own song.

[@TicklerDude]

Give him a break, he was like 22 years old and struggling to survive in the music business. You Tube and Twitter hadn't been invented yet to generate "viral" views

[@gamecity94]

One of the Best Performers in his heyday especially when he became Mellencamp saw him at least 3 times amazing shows...

[@jrawk5594]

You mean had enough clout to use his real name instead of silly "Cougar" that he hated?

[@robertahartley3856]

Pretty good for how young he was... natural talent...

[@cindytartt4048]

His voice when he talks his like chocolate & honey & when he sings it’s thunder & lightning. ❤❤🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@ApplePie..]

And he dances like he has hornets in his shoes.😅

[@jdhrap]

Impressed a show just played the music track and let him sing live. Can only imagine that the type of person he seems to be that he refused to lip sync it. Could tell he was music business savvy at this young age.

[@ellestudio7182]

Wow. Despite the fake name and fluff, this guy's always had integrity. Real deal. And yeah, yow.

[@hollyherring71]

Agreed!

[@dar44445]

He was alot of fun !! When I was younger, oh so much younger 🎵 -he can #dance & He's Electric on #stage

[@jrock2264]

His dancing was....weird. hahaha

[@robingregory3859]

Love you John cougar….John Melloncamp…John cougar Mellencamp ❤️❤️❤️ Whatever I adore you…saw you in concert in Philly a couple times and you were absolutely awesome ❤️❤️❤️

[@andreamize1402]

Double Edged Sword he has dealt with his whole singing career! Such a shame. Thank you John for realizing what the industry was doing and coming about face. ❤ and Rock On!!

[@vonharvell5867]

thanks for all your hard work , john.. luv ya man

[@drjmankx37]

This is pure gold.

[@ApplePie..]

Pure gold hilarious.

[@heatheredwards7923]

So cool and just gets better with age! ❤️😊

[@Star-qp5qd]

First time ever seeing this video. He was just so cute ..

[@MichaelJamesLorinReviews-wg8br]

The interviewer was a natural. Very enjoyable interview.

[@3joewj]

"You live in a small town." He probably walked out there ...was like yeah I live in a small town, I was born in a small town, I'll probably die in a small town, that's probably where the bury me ...and then he was like s*** I got to write that down!!

[@BrianSLaw]

He's a real down to earth good soul!

[@michaelfornell4467]

He was qreat. still is very talented. Awesome guy! Great Music!

[@manp1039]

looks like he was dancing like Mick Jagger in the beginning of this song

[@darylquirk1992]

I remember as a kid & watched this on the TV! Next day went to school & we all raved about him! As a tender he played a huge part in my teens!

[@ponzo1967]

He came out doing the Peanuts dance 😜 Who knew he had all those beautiful hit songs ahead of him?

[@ronniewatkins6465]

Cool video! Never heard him refer to his backing band as "Street Heart" before this old interview. Pretty sure he called his band "The Zone" in his 80's heyday.

[@asherasher738]

Big fan of Melloncamp, right from the start back in the late 70's. Til this day everytime I see this performance, I ask myself, What the heck is he doing" crazy, crazy way to dance. Mick Jegger like.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

Well, they had him bottled up in that crazy flashing light scene...straight out of Radio Shack.

[@marigoldsfever1538]

Natural talent with that singing. His dance was so cute. Reminded me of the elaine dance on seinfeld. Lol. Wow his after interview shows his high intelligence

[@devonaadkins6069]

Johnny Cougar? Oh my look how young. I remember that song. ❤️

[@loveandpeace9908]

"Johnny, wear your new Tuffskins when you go on the TV" "Aw, Moooom!"

[@pauldunlea6745]

Great Artist who had longevity

[@sarak.5348]

This is SO great!!

[@kentlewis987]

This early interview shows how real the lyrics of Pop Singer were (are).

[@anthonyturner733]

Now we know where the inspiration for Elaine’s famous dance on Seinfeld came from. Great song though!

[@josephanderson7237]

John Cougar Mellonhead.

[@deniseconner3747]

hey, he is really singing

[@robdisner]

Yep. Live vocals to track. Hard to sing and do that “robot” dance at the same time but he pulls it off!

[@danschriver75]

That was my first thought. Most of these old shows that's have bands play the studio track and over the band. And once I heard the piano intro I thought he was boutta start lip synching but this is amazing

[@shazzabelle123]

One of the rare live performances.

[@mizLaRaine]

and...gulp....dancing

[@kimamulvey8798]

Grew up with his music and still like 2 steal his line and live by it!!! LOL " need a lover that won't drive me crazy thrill me and hit the highway!!! LOL

[@theresarezac7502]

what a great voice!

[@Zzzooop373]

I love 💕 you

[@musicfanhawk4523]

Such a cutie, love his dancing and fab hair! Have loved him for years!

[@citizenseventies6738]

Awful dancing, he looks a total t*at . . .

[@tjtampa214]

Them moves like Jagger seem like Mick had a remote control on John. Funny. I know J.M. likes to be himself, be honest snd keep it simple so this routine seems like it came down as Orders from Headquarters. He's just not that into it but going along to get along. As he said in a later interview, ya gotta play the game to get paid. And starting out, new performers go along.

[@zuketroop1]

My favorite Mellencamp songs are by far his really early ones. I think as a songwriter, John Mellencamps strength is his melodies. They are simple, but they are catchy. His lyrics convey the message but are very simplistic at best.

[@benjaminmyles5886]

sucks to get old what a legend

[@duffbaker9554]

More often than not, the longer a legend continues, there's the inevitabilty that their legacy gets tarnished and weakens as a result. Yet so many unwisely continue. Very few artists have had the good sense to call it quits while at the top. But yeah, they were awesome when they were at their peak, no denying that.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@duffbaker9554 He was at 2023 FARM-AID and there were two songs he really knocked out of the park, I couldn't believe it. One in particular was really really good for his age , exceptional in fact. I've not seen any other artist at his age be able to pull off that type of live performance.

[@61cheezil]

Loved him then & still in love now

[@pumpkin3536]

The Don Lane show was big in its day. John is very honest in this interview.

[@jshelhorse]

Super weird. Super cool, too. Thanks for sharing.

[@martydaymudefromdc]

Yeah, JCM's early tunes were standards with those of us who were emerging from high school pondering college and careers,......and drugs with all the rock-n-roll any rebel could want or hope for as the 80s rolled in. This tune was played more than the national anthem it often seemed, particularly back then. Its one of his best tunes in my opinion. When asked if I liked this tune in 1979 without thinking I replied, yes I like the tune and I REALLY like the way that the boy fits and fills out his jeans. A few years later the hate from that comment made honestly as I watched the performance gave way to folks noting the fact that some of us had adopted the Jack and Diane era hairstyle of JCM. Every dude with dark, thick hair were sporting the style. Madonna wasn't the only trend setter back then. Thinking of some of the comments below that I scrolled through before posting this a few stand out. One noted what they perceived as cocky and confident. In the day some added arrogant to the list of traits. I didn't see arrogance as much as I saw and heard a determined and committed idealist. Its been my opinion that he was and is an artist committed and true to his convictions. In youth, those of us who were in tune on the same frequency with our emotions and keen observers of life wanted to change the world for the better, make an impact in meaningful, substantive ways. Youth, without question, provides the passion needed for such endeavors, but the ability to formulate ideas into plans with unwavering sacrifice and follow through tend to lag behind for most of us. Life gets in the way as it reveals that in life all things are not as they appear to,....what ya see and what ya get don't always coincide. Disillusionment looks to self medicating and other self gratifying methods to soothe and comfort us. Naivety and innocence are not shameful traits, in fact they are fundamentally the best and finest traits, without either the desire to impact and change the world would never be a thought, concern or goal. Had we been born cynical and jaded vs naïve and idealistically innocent we wouldn't have the youthful audacity of our rebels in popular culture speaking up and inspiring their generational comrades. We wouldn't have our James Dean's, John Cougar Mellencamp's and Jack Kerouac's to identify with. What I saw was a performer reminiscent of Kerouac. Its the innocence of Ain't Even Done With The Night,......You say that I'm the boy who can make it all come true,...Well I'm telling you that I don't know what to do, I don't even know if I'm doing this right,..... Far from cocky I saw an inspired, idealistic poet, a lyricist, with admirable notions as well as conviction to those notions. I once tended to view irony and fate as sarcastically annoying teachers of life lessons pissing all over hopes and dreams, altering and limiting perspective with a singular, rigidly defined point of view as they blew through life. Well, ...in reality true perspective is as uniquely individual as our DNA makes any of us. Perspective as seen and viewed, understood and accepted independent of one another is universally wonderfully magnificent, beautifully awe inspiring as the single greatest contributing factor to the divine evolution of man. No particular point of view has to align perfectly, precisely, with any other point of view. Respecting and celebrating varying points of view are essential components in the creation of tolerance and acceptance of one another. Without tolerance and equality the evolution of man and society would simply be diminished until evolution ceased, completely and entirely, obliterated from the face of the earth. "They were of so blind judgment that they stumbled, so concerned with details they lost their ability to focus on the obvious, the main point, blind to what held greater significance they could not save the greater whole" So, you see, tolerance leads to equality, equality leads to mans evolution, mans evolution leads to advanced societies, advanced societies lead to a utopian universe and world. Indeed, a little inspiration goes a very, very long way. Cocky confidence inspired the inspirational ability to understand what is important and what isn't important. Figurative to literal The probability that one event occurs in no way affects the probability of the other event occurring. What inspired and helped develop your point of view.

[@Rockishimoto]

The dancing is a bit silly, but the singing is right on point. I’ve been such a fan of his since American Fool and have heard all of his songs. I enjoy seeing his progression throughout the years. We all had to start somewhere and when we did I’m sure most of our dancing wasn’t the greatest, but we made it happen as he did.

[@thedadyouneverhadchannel3544]

A bit???

[@EricMartinSmithOfficial]

He did it on purpose.

[@Rockishimoto]

@@EricMartinSmithOfficial it could be on purpose, but I doubt it. He wasn’t as experienced and seasoned as he was in later years

[@StaciW-Italia2309]

This type of dancing was popular at the time. Kinda new wave. Michael Hutchence did moves like this around this time.

[@Rockishimoto]

@@StaciW-Italia2309 Okay. I was all of about 6 or 7 years old at the time, so I wouldn’t really know what was hip back then. Maybe he was up on the times and it just looks ridiculous to us. Nevertheless, no matter how big of an asshole they say he is, still love his music.

[@boulagno]

OMG...those dance moves!!!!!

[@bartbullock7817]

Ted nugent is known for very long Endings to his songs. This song has the longest intro I have ever heard, And I freaking love it. Edit: This is the very short version.

[@BillyBob-ec5ox]

You can hear the beginnings of “Small Town” in this

[@laurareeder4621]

Unique dance moves.

[@elzippo488]

Johns best Mick Jagger impression!

[@spasticatadisco9571]

Watch Peter Garret from Midnight Oil dance man it’s something to behold

[@jonjahn5769]

indeed...Peter Garrett >> John Cougar Mellencamp...imo

[@TANTRUMGASM]

mike love from Beach Boys is not as energetic, but it is so bad it will make you angry...so very bad

[@nancyashbaugh5871]

"Moves like Jagger"

[@benjaminmyles5886]

not as good as jagger but still alright

[@455Transam]

Moves like Jagger but dances like ELAINE from SIENFELD

[@johnnymeyer4253]

Moves Like Cougar? Hmm, doesn't have the same ring.

[@jimmy5634]

Great story-teller and songwriter. Tortured soul.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

wow, he's a very complicated person, very evident. what a talent. You could tell he was going to burst onto the scene if he hadn't already. "I need a lover" was really a great tune.

[@paulcooper-n2v]

We all do john.

[@MichaelOBrien-z8i]

Great to see him this early in his career!!! M O'B

[@kidcanuck6031]

Great vid. First time I've ever seen it. There is / was a great Canadian band called Streetheart who were around before John's band which is probably why John band named Streetheart was never actually called Streetheart. RIP Kenny Shields. John Bon Jovi sure looks a bit like JM.

[@Mark_J_on_guitar]

Wow, I first thought this was a cheesy TV show. But really great questions for John to give some interesting, thoughtful answers.

[@agentrobtaylor]

effin love it! Ricky Bobbie took his gesture of...what do I do with my hands?

[@richardlapinski8303]

Quite a talented guy!

[@eliascrookshank]

My favourite John Cougar song.

[@mrs.mcnamara1669]

Were we ever that young?

[@gometricusa]

What the record company did to JM with the whole Johnny Cougar shit is criminal.

[@jrawk5594]

But he has admitted now that it made him work harder in the beginning, seemed to work well.

[@josephanderson7237]

So very young.

[@danwicht402]

Am I the only person who thinks he bares a bit of a resemblance to Jon Bon Jovi?

[@martinmichael2535]

He looks like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[@TOMReefer]

He looked so uncomfortable at the very end there. I’m sure he hated singing without his band with him too .

[@GO-jv9bb]

I keep seeing Stuart from Mad TV whenever he dances😂 Still an amazing performance!

[@cherylolynick6435]

Look at that baby face!

[@peartist2]

Teeny tiny little thing

[@lilyd7074]

A spasdic version of Bowie and Billy Joel, but you can see the germination of his fully-realized musical personality😄 He was so young, just a baby 😄

[@vd3364]

Per Bob Dylan--"As I got old(er) I found out he was makin' a livin' just like everybody else." I wish more people could see through the pretentious, self-indulgent BS of celebrities.

[@LisaGemini]

Wow, he's so young! Interesting how he switched to his real name, which isn't as bad as they said, really.

[@jrawk5594]

His first record company said "you either take it or go back to Indiana...so that's what he did. When he had enough pull, he transitioned back to his real name.

[@spudth]

What a great interview with foreshadowing. When I saw him in 1986 he swore you'd never hear his music in a commercial. Pretty much kept his promise, right? (Guess he sold out on a 2013 Silverado commercial except he justified it as a way to keep his music "out there").

[@vd3364]

"...makin' a livin' just like everybody else..."

[@spudth]

@@vd3364 he produced the tour I saw him on in 1987. It was reported at the time it Grossed (I think) 35 milliok n dollars. He should still be living on the profit from that tour alone.

[@budsodalsky]

He was more amicable when young.

[@jrawk5594]

Had to be...

[@budsodalsky]

@@jrawk5594 No one has to be a jerk.

[@jrawk4140]

​@@budsodalskydepends...

[@budsodalsky]

@@jrawk4140 Check your Bible.

[@jonathankohns7848]

Speed is a hell of a drug

[@vintagemellencamp9826]

He’s as sober as a judge. Mellencamp was never a drug or alcohol user.

[@jonathankohns7848]

@@vintagemellencamp9826 i was joking about the jerking dance he was doing.

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

I was expecting to see the rest of the band.

[@thunderridge4830]

Miami was a hit in Australia.

[@jrawk5594]

Funny enough, Miami is still as he describes...lol

[@Daehawk]

He really hated that name.

[@amycougar]

You are so right! 😂

[@robertmiller7721]

His agent told him he could sell John Cougar not Mellancamp

[@philrozephilroze6331]

Johnny "Coo Gaaaah - where was this show out of West NY (NJ) ? ......oh boy how you "morphed" since we both got out of HS. And in a TIE no less - did you at least get paid ?

[@clifftucker1687]

Didn't know he had epilepsy

[@rikkibeauprejose3333]

Awww too cute

[@peck404]

Rare indeed

[@coreyjohnston4673]

Yeah I agree..wow

[@josephanderson7237]

So this is 1978, his songs didn’t chart til 1982.

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

called his band Streetheart,there was a Streetheart band from canada quite good actually.