John Mellencamp - I need a lover (1978) • TopPop

John (Cougar) Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, painter, actor, and film director. He is known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrumentation. Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s while "honing an almost startlingly plainspoken writing style" that, starting in 1982, yielded a string of Top 10 singles, including "Hurts So Good", "Jack & Diane", "Crumblin' Down", "Pink Houses", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town", "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", "Paper in Fire", and "Cherry Bomb". He has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven. Mellencamp has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one. His latest album of original songs, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, was released on April 28, 2017 to widespread critical acclaim. Mellencamp has sold over 30 million albums in the US and over 60 million worldwide.
In this early TopPop video recorded in the Netherlands on May 20, 1978, he is 26 years old.
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Broadcast date: 20 May 1978
This is to let you know that the video recording of the video clip was originally recorded by AVROTROS Broadcasting. AVROTROS Broadcasting hereby warrants and represents that it is the sole and exclusive owner of the physical film and/or videotape footage in this video clip.
The performance of the artist(s) in the clip was filmed and recorded with the written consent of the artist(s) and their representatives.
AVROTROS is a Dutch radio and television broadcaster, founded in 2014 from a merger of AVRO and TROS. From January 1st, 2014 the name of the merged broadcaster was used in joint programmes. AVRO was founded in 1923 as the Netherlands first public broadcaster. TROS started broadcasting in 1964. Toppop was a weekly AVRO pop program that was aired between 1970 and 1988.
AVROTROS Broadcasting
PO Box 2
1200 JA Hilversum
The Netherlands
TopPop was the first regular dedicated pop music TV show in the Dutch language area. Dutch broadcaster AVRO aired the programme weekly, from 1970 to 1988. Presenter Ad Visser hosted the show for its first fifteen years.
World famous music artists performed on TopPop: ABBA, 10CC, Bee Gees, The Jacksons with Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Earth & Fire, Queen, Golden Earring, Boney M, KC & The Sunshine Band, Chic, Donna Summer and many many more.

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Never understood this song at 16, I sure do at 57.....👍🤣🤣🤣

[@fuckit1967]

haha,im 57 too,know exactly what you mean,John wasnt doing his best James Dean here,he was doing his best Mick Jagger thou

[@BruceLee-t9n]

Everything about this video is Awesome

[@ShaniTrahan-g2n]

@@BruceLee-t9n it’s an awesome music video 🤎💜💛💙🤍🤍💗🧡❤

[@BruceLee-t9n]

@@ShaniTrahan-g2n very enjoyable. I think that's his twin brother on the guitar. He looks exactly like JCM

[@35daphni]

My daughter was a baby when "Hurts So Good" came out. Every time it came on, I would sing the chorus to her, and she would just laugh laugh. She was just a few months old. We kind of grew up together listening to John. Now I'm 59, and she's 41. My Christmas present from her this year is that she will be taking me to see him on April 10th in Little Rock. What a full circle moment that will be when he sings that song. 😢😊

[@TEM14411]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@spiderlegs50]

Did you get to make the show ??? I sure hope so....

[@35daphni]

@@spiderlegs50 YES!!! It was fantastic! Thanks for asking 😊

[@spiderlegs50]

@@35daphni that's Fantastic !!!! Here's to loving Daughters 🍻

[@BruceLee-t9n]

Lucky 😂 Mellencamp is Awesome. He has so many awesome songs. He's Definitely Underrated

[@TheSharkyoz]

Nearly 60 and still crack up laughing remembering my young brother walking around singing.....I need a lovely pork chops and gravy still funny as

[@BruceLee-t9n]

I Need Crispin Glover to stop acting so weird & crazy

[@southernman87]

I wish things hadn't changed so much in America,this was back when people weren't so consumed with every little thing that each other believed and just had a great time.

[@greggriffin3998]

Best "overture" intro of any rock song - period.

[@BruceLee-t9n]

Mellencamp is hit making machine

[@BruceLee-t9n]

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VIDEO IS AWESOME

[@tuff47]

Wow...........1978. I thought he did not debut until around 1985. Where have I been?

[@michaelwallbrown3726]

asleep or on another planet

[@sixty7ford]

American Fool 😂

[@rsvihla]

John’s choice of attire is intriguing.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

Just a normal kid from Indiana, with his friend's!!! It sounds like Bob Seger, a normal kid from Michigan, with his friend's!!! Got to love them.. Great artist's, and storyteller's.... From the Motor City, where we know music!!!!! 🎶🎶.. 👍👍👍.....

[@evanmorrow1234]

John Mellencamp is one cool dude. I don't think there's a person out there that doesn't like him as a person or has anything bad to say about him. He emits an aura of positive energy all around him and he really looks like he's having a real good time when he plays.

[@commentatron]

Hey, I remember that quote from his agent back in, what was it, 1978?

[@Pyaaang]

I especially like his historic fondness for the proletariat and his plight, which has kinda devolved into a thin liberal signal, but still.

[@therussiandragon616]

As he says, only the women in and out of his life would beg to differ.

[@angru5oklok]

He's real!

[@markomarjanovic7643]

John Cougar is one cool dude. John Mellancamp is pretty lame.

[@DouglasLonestar-bz7im]

Best version of this song ever

[@tonytoonstours]

This is what I love about John, and Springsteen. Both writing amazing songs for over forty years

[@LisaGemini]

Funny thing, they just did a new song together! AWESOME dudes.

[@chadwickroyal2133]

Except Springsteen is a commie lib, but yeah John is great.

[@The66h]

First time I heard this song he opened for Kiss in Omaha in September 1979. 30 feet from the stage.

[@wordup897]

Mellencamp and Kiss. Weird combo.

[@ahoneyman]

The keyboard player eventually became one of America's Most Wanted.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Definetly my all time john cougar song!🤟😎👍

[@SPORTSNUTIM]

14 in 1978 and loved listening to the awesome music.

[@stevebeguin3626]

The sound guy crushed it, super balanced

[@Emophiliac2]

Easy to do when you're in a recording stdio.

[@simonaldridge4099]

Very true. Super crisp and dialed in. Chef's kiss 🤌

[@metrichotrods1763]

It's mimed

[@gac4460]

By far JCM'S best song, brilliant.

[@juliehager1397]

He wrote it. I love his rendition better than Pat Benatar

[@NemesisEn4cer]

Amen

[@dennispicone6801]

Only bettered by the extended version of the same song. 😁👍🍺

[@BrianBaker79]

I saw John in Oshawa, Ontario in 2012. Great show! It's hard to believe that was a decade ago.

[@frankcastle5294]

That guitar solo is THE absolute hook!

[@BruceLee-t9n]

That's his twin

[@brendacofer967]

He's so young here! Love watching him through the years.. His music is still great, my favorite is Fruit Trader..

[@BruceLee-t9n]

Human Wheels. But it's very difficult to choose just one. For example this one

[@arnoldoarias6294]

Tenía 17 años cuando escuche esta melodía. Que hermosos recuerdos vienen a mi mente , tan sana que era la vivencia en aquellos tiempos. Saludos desde Tomé Chile 🇨🇱

[@Dreamersroc]

Melloncamp will show ya cool 👍

[@sherricios9511]

This is John Cougar!!❤❤

[@spiderlegs50]

This was my theme song from the 1st time I ever heard it on the radio !!!

[@richardkitzer346]

So great! Love this early stuff from when I was in my teens!

[@JohnnyBgood548]

Great song! Great message!

[@capecodellen]

He still can sing in 2018. He is the same as back then, just aged like fine wine. XoJC

[@wandahunter7620]

ellen rose oh yes so right on!

[@jonnyweiss2292]

Hello Ellen - I agree! Drinking fine wine 🍷 now. Jonny Weiss “Burning Man.” 🔥 🎶

[@mdmac5139]

thats because the video is from..... 1978 !! 😁 😁 😁

[@leonotarianni7733]

Without doubt the best Cougar song ever , I swear

[@pgdarling301]

I discovered it thru SiriusXM radio 😍

[@Trey-jl9ru]

Wait till you find out it's a cover🙈

[@bookguitarguy]

Aside from the majesty of the guitar riffs (especially in the longer version), which I just got done jamming to on electric guitar for an hour or so, that's a very interesting and unique drum ending.

[@MegaJimBrewer]

Yeah no.

[@toms3664]

Benatar & Spider covered this tune. wonder what's the back story. Fantastic number

[@kotchstevens2321]

Late 70's? say no more

[@tristanthomas4465]

Lyrics I need a lover that won't drive me crazy (I need a lover that won't drive me crazy) I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl that knows the meaning of, ah- Hey hit the highway! Well I've been walking the streets up and down Racin' through the human jungle at night I'm so confused, my mind is indifferent Hey - I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light? Electricity runs through the video And I watch it from this hole I call home And all them stonies are dancin' to the radio And I got the world callin' me up here, tonight on the phone Some girl who'll thrill me and then go away (I need a lover that won't drive me crazy) Some girl that knows the meaning of ah- Hey hit the highway! Well I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm livin' I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, and head back home (head back home) Now I'm not asking to be loved or be forgiven Hey - I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom One more night alone Some girl that knows the meaning of ah- Hey hit the highway! Some girl to thrill me and then go away (I need a lover that won't drive me crazy) Some girl that knows the meaning of ah- Hey hit the highway! You betcha'

[@rockshot100]

Not only catchy, but the lyrics although simple are actually good, this suits his voice perfectly. I forgot about this song, but who wouldn't like it? "Because the Night", a much better beguiling song was popular at the same time.

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

John looks so youthful; it’s a shame what cigarettes have done to him. But he can’t seem to quit, even though all his loved ones have asked him to stop. Hope he’s managed to stop smoking during this pandemic. He’s a national treasure that I would hate to see gone too soon.

[@chrisirving8712]

Cigarettes just fuckin wrecked him

[@chrisirving8712]

Sad a lot of people like that ..my brother just lost half a leg

[@chrisirving8712]

I agree I think he made bob dillon look stupid

[@ynotttt]

@@chrisirving8712 ….absolutely true. His health has been greatly compromised by continued smoking. That probably hasn’t changed.

[@themystic3324]

I m amazed that the keyboard player, (or a roadie, or a bandmate) never took steps to adjust the placement of his instrument to alleviate the apparantly brutal posture he's adopted, it aggravated my sciatic nerve just to watch. I've always liked JCM

[@jenniferv]

Who took the guy’s stool?😂

[@frigidpony]

They all look so young! Nice key change at the end of this song.

[@thetalentedmr.richie1725]

John is so cool without even knowing it. Legend

[@commentatron]

Oh, he knows! That kind of cool comes only with many hours of practice in front of a mirror.

[@myndeewoiton2875]

I love this! Baby John! 🎵💙

[@aprilw.6246]

Love this song 😍

[@paulamiller1738]

Wow. How young he is there. Never seen that one before.

[@wandahunter7620]

Paula Miller baby or not love them than and now!

[@brandonbehlke8998]

Paula Miller 28

[@sheliafrench1276]

Paula Miller right I was thinking the same thing, baby he was hottttttttt

[@susanatkins8947]

I’m thinking baby boy! But I will go with boy! Lol

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Paula Miller if you think he looks young here look up the video on ain’t even done with the night !!!

[@bretthuss798]

Worked at Village Inn in West Des Moines, Iowa in 1979 from 5pm to 3am. Partied till noon and woke up at 3pm and cranked this song to get ready to do it again...

[@robczaj1]

I can listen to this song over and over again!

[@jamesheverling7841]

I love this one and video as well as tune and kicks great.!!!!!!!!!!!!!.❤😂🎉😂❤❤❤❤

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

History of John Mellencamp: As Johnny Cougar: 1976 - Chestnut Street Incident 1977 - The Kid Inside (not released until 1983, after the success of American Fool) As John Cougar: 1978 - A Biography (not released in the US) 1979 - John Cougar 1980 - Nothin' Matters and What If It Did 1982 - American Fool As John Cougar Mellencamp: 1983 - Uh-Huh 1985 - Scarecrow 1987 - The Lonesome Jubilee 1989 - Big Daddy As John Mellencamp: 1991 - Whenever We Wanted (and subsequent releases)

[@ValerieByers-Occhiline]

Love his music remember good days when he was coming up in the music industry wow amazing man .❤😊

[@rebeccawagner4167]

I.loved this song 🎵, the 1st time I heard it and after all these years, I'm still listening 🎶 to it,some music 🎶 🎵 never goes out of style 🎉🎉

[@bretthuss798]

The guitar is a Gibson Marauder! Always wanted one!

[@bretthuss798]

Me too!!!!!

[@frankquezada5490]

Great Rock N' Roller and an awesome song.

[@johnmanly7006]

My man! Putting out hits for year's

[@organicallypoweredlife1417]

The difference between artists (like JCM) who rock out and give the audience 110% even when forced by networks to lip-sync and those who get an attitude and phone it in couldn't be clearer. True professionals bring the heat every chance they get, regardless of complications. The audience can tell and appreciate the difference...

[@markb9347]

1978 video in the Netherlands. Amazing how long it took to hit the radio airwaves in the midwestern USA.

[@mglsite]

Were we ever that young

[@phantom0456]

He’s the greatest shapeshifter who ever lived…

[@cece3194]

OMGOSH! That little kid in the "jacket" sounds just like John Cougar!! Kinda looks like his little brother too!! ;))

[@Rickstorm3571]

Lol

[@rsvihla]

This is the first John Cougar song I ever heard, in the 1981 film “Private Lessons.”

[@micheleerwin2848]

I saw him in concert many years ago. Ive been a fan since his first album. Same thing with Neil Young.

[@kristinhernandez8946]

Just a baby. I always found the drums at the very end fascinating.

[@tashawilliams4184]

I love this song so much

[@robertwhite6203]

John Mellencamp is one of Seymour Indiana,s finest performers !

[@luxoverb]

One of?

[@wendydebois1685]

That guy can sure play that guitar!!

[@Boombergtastic]

Larry Crane is very underrated

[@JC-gw3yo]

They are 16, and sooo talented... Awesome...

[@ynotttt]

Much older than that

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

met him,must be 5 foot 5,I am 6 foot 2. This was his 1st hit,still have the autograph,he signed hois name and wrote the title of this song. Little did I know how huge he would get. This was 1980.I did volunteer research at CHOM radio in montreal,he came by for an interview,he did a show that night. He said I should go,but I had no money.

[@commentatron]

He is definitely good - for his height ;-)

[@drlight777]

Man, John looks like he's 12.

[@Mark-sd7fc]

pcnotpc looks like John Bon Jovi

[@joeramsey6211]

@Clifford Kilkenny I can find that nowhere. I see his sons are in trouble but no himself.

[@cece3194]

Yeah, I didn't know he started out trying to be "in." He's better in jeans and leather!

[@bigtoemojo8150]

29 or 28 back then, he was born in 51

[@jrock2264]

@@bigtoemojo8150 Nope. Says broadcast 1980. He was about 21.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

His best tune .

[@blueyedglances4960]

Excellent❤

[@snowman374th]

Working my way back up this later of Mellencamp. I got a few covers up. Checking out some of his hits to decide which to play.. lol Love JCM.. We're Hoosiers. What can I say. :-)

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

I read this song took inspiration from The Rolling Stones' 1972 hit, "Happy," in particular its chorus: "I need a love to keep me happy," which on this song became "I need a lover who won't drive me crazy..."

[@richardbrucemusic]

Rarely do I see a Gibson S-1 being used ANYWHERE, let alone in a Top 10 artist's video. Thought I was the only person who has one!

[@inperspective]

Channelling a little Mick Jagger in his vocals.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

And in the lyrics, which are seemingly an influence on The Rolling Stones' 1972 hit "Happy."

[@dianneedenfield5850]

johns great and so are his 2 back up singers.

[@rodgerhall109]

One of my favorite songs ever

[@davidshadeck7354]

Good Stuff Man, 12 - 26 - 2022 !!!

[@teresapappas9773]

I need a lover that won't drive me crazy! ♥️

[@fiveflames2636]

Holy fkn wow what a performance

[@jonnyweiss2292]

Jon - “Excellent!” I’m a Fan. Jonny Weiss “Back to Phoenix.” 🎶

[@jonnyweiss2292]

John - “Amazing!” I’m a Fan. Jonny Weiss “Back to Phoenix.” 🎶

[@Jeffro5564]

I need a lover that won't drive me crazy (I need a lover that won't drive me crazy) I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh "Hey, hit the highway" Well I've been walkin' the streets up and down Racing through the human jungles at night I'm so confused, my mind is indifferent Hey, I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light Electricity runs through the video And I watch it from this hole I call home And all the stony's are dancin' to the radio And I got the world calling me up here Tonight on the phone I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl to thrill me and then go away I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh "Hey, hit the highway" Well, I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm living I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, or head back home And I'm not askin' to be loved or be forgiven Hey, I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom One more night alone I need a lover that won't drive me crazy I need a lover that won't drive me crazy I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh "Hey, hit the highway" I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl to thrill me and then go away I need a lover that won't drive me crazy Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh "Hey, hit the highway"

[@imawaylonfan1]

Still listening since early. 80’s

[@patrickvecchio8138]

Johnny Cougar

[@juliebayes92]

I think he looks great

[@larrybill2661]

Hello Julie how are you doing!!

[@carleenrusso3175]

Love john

[@WizardOfWhoopee]

Who'd think a future legend was standing there singing. A co-worker sees him at all the Indiana ball games but she won't go get a picture with him for me.

[@tjtampa214]

So young but he had the mature voice right off the bat. 😊

[@tonycerino1736]

Wow he looks so young

[@grandmastermario3695]

Basically all my mothers lovers 😅

[@hernandosalamancavargas7085]

Great song. Great John Cougar...

[@lesiapack9410]

I love all your music. Makes me want to ride my motorcycle....the need for speed.lol...yes I am a woman who loves riding motorcycles...

[@charleebrown7188]

Yeah, it's pretty much all women that love the motorcycles, for obvious reasons. That's why men get em.

[@freeanimals594]

He's so cute!

[@boomerlady]

Fav!

[@TheFourOfNine44]

Thanks for posting.

[@chrisirving8712]

He always had a great band

[@christinahahn8485]

love him

[@ЯнъРусъ]

The song is frankly weak, but the guys came up with a powerful chorus: I need a lover that won't drive me crazy I need a lover that won't drive me crazy I need a lover that won't drive me crazy So groovy that it is relevant even after 45 years. It will obviously become a theme that opens some cult film, such as - My Name is (Eminem) in Shazam (2019)

[@livemusic8248]

a greeat song by great artist, Even Pat benatar covered this one.

[@Jayce_Alexander]

@Clifford Kilkenny Didn't know that. Still don't know how that affects the quality of the song or his artistry.

A remarkable voice backed by a tight snd capablr band...powerful stuff .....

[@jeffjohnson1302]

I needed a lover who won't drive me crazy, so I bought a blow up doll. When I get tired of her, I let the air out of her!

[@richardbrucemusic]

Most of them are full of hot air anyway...

[@GrubWarp]

iconic

[@klonidier]

The popped collar commands you!!!