John Mellencamp on His Politics and Why He Dislikes The Term 'Heartland Rock' | The Big Interview

John talks with Dan Rather about why he's not a big fan about the "Heartland Rock" label that's been applied to much of his music, how he's very liberal despite how people think of his music as conservative, and more on The Big Interview.
Subscribe to AXS TV for more great music content: kzbin.info?sub_c...
More from AXS TV:
Godsmack Talk Final Studio Album, "Lighting Up the Sky" | Power Hour: • Godsmack Talk Final St...
Steve Miller on How 'The Joker' Became His First Hit Single | The Big Interview: • Video
The Monkees' Micky Dolenz Talks AXS TV Debut and Upcoming Tour | Now Listen: • The Monkees' Micky Dol...
#johnmellencamp

[@MaxStax1]

It's no wonder he got the nickname "little bastard."

[@markh.2899]

Hmmm, and here I thought is was "Dick"...

[@rejeannagwynn5665]

😂😂😂

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Sings about Middle America, the Heartland, but doesn't want to be associated with the Heartland.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I get what he's saying about music critics but don't understand why he's so butthurt about them calling it "heartland rock".....That's a very accurate description of his music. It basically has it's own gene of Heartland rock along with maybe Bruce Springsteen singing about glory days & being born in the USA.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

@@michaelbrinks8089 He comes across as an opportunist who changes how he is viewed.

[@user-mx6eh7ui8n]

"The Heartland". What's that a modern day right wing myth? No such thing. It's called Folk music/ Folk songs. Not Heartland crap. That's politics. Folks aren't politicians and generally never cared for them. But now we got MAGAts and culture wars. Can't stand a politician especially these.

[@GravesoftheInnocent]

Is he a mechanic now??

[@JoeBlow-fp5ng]

He just finished his shift at Jiffy Lube.

[@wolfgangproductions7402]

@@JoeBlow-fp5ngdon’t be jealous

[@robertcoffee9512]

​@wolfgangproductions7402 jealous? Jealous of a 5'2 narcissistic dwarf...nah

[@Rick-Jangle]

👏👏👏 love it!

[@MamaBear2gratkids]

It’s his way of trying to make himself look like an average working class man

[@jayoly6273]

He has stated he is a socialist. He has about $30 million dollars. Seems he is ok with "redistribution" as long as he can firmly hold onto his own money ala Bernie Sanders.

[@patrickc3419]

So basically “do as I say not as I do”.

[@Chris-kf3xd]

Bernie Sander is nothing like John Mellencamp.

[@jerrymills385]

Why isn’t John housing illegals, and paying their bills…if he’s such a big hearts guy? He another blow hard…who gives the good people of Indiana a bad rap by his association 💥

[@Midnighthacker951]

@@Chris-kf3xd Both far left garbage.

[@EJM1701]

@@patrickc3419 That's right, Patrick. Remember, socialism is for everyone else, not the socialist.

[@letstalktruecrime01]

his songs actually contain the words HEARTLAND. he has gone so woke he doesnt deserve the name legend, he is a legend in his own mind.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I don't understand why he's so offended by his music being categorized as heartland rock....Whoever coined that phrase for his genre of music, is pretty spot on. That's actually about the best way to describe it. I guess his ego is so big that he's butthurt someone else but him, placed his music in a category. Like, "How dare they give my music a genre name without asking my permission or opinion 1st."

[@JoshHandler-bu1dt]

Name one song that contains the word heartland.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

@@JoshHandler-bu1dt Jack & Diane 2 American kids growing up in the heartland

[@JoshHandler-bu1dt]

@@michaelbrinks8089 I stand corrected potna. And I was just listening to that the other day.

[@letstalktruecrime01]

@@JoshHandler-bu1dt jack and diane.

[@israel8847]

John is the type of guy who wants his cake and wants some more.!. Here’s a ditty about Jack and Diane grew up in the HEARTLAND.

[@canefan17]

And “taught the fear of Jesus in a small town.” His most popular songs are def small town, conservative heartland themed. There’s no mysterious hidden progressive message behind it.

[@austinsisson1117]

@@canefan17 I think what he's getting at is that his music is largely apolitical, rather than particularly geared towards conservatives or liberals. It's more about values, I guess? But I agree he's being pretentious here in this interview. It's heartland rock, John. Get over yourself.

[@Newfoundmike]

He writes in Musical PICTURES, Vivid stories.

[@pierceferriter4664]

@@canefan17 if anything he is a masquerade then….he speaks out both sides of his mouth…he also has little man’s syndrome. He’s denying reality and turns every question into a very conflicted answer. I’m from Indiana and was his biggest fan…hate to say it but I love his music…but I can’t stand his little bastard persona. He’s a weird dude…and he likes being a weird dude….it has paid the bills.

[@pierceferriter4664]

@@austinsisson1117 Exactly…get over yourself. Go to the moon and stay there.

[@israel8847]

I am John Mellencamp and I am Liberal so I have no message. Got rich off of Republican working middle class than says F. U.

[@indycarcomplainer2304]

He was always saying FU. You just weren’t hearing it.

[@ASKMEABOUTMYGARDEN]

​@@indycarcomplainer2304the funny thing is everybody saying that on this video in the comment section but nobody's giving me any examples. I've listen to John Mellencamp when he first started all the way up through the 80s and I never once heard anything in the lyrics other than Heartland and America and conservative values.

[@TV-ob1if]

@@indycarcomplainer2304 apparently not. since he mumbles like drunk

[@jimcampbell8061]

@@ASKMEABOUTMYGARDEN You mean like "2 'merican kids livin' in the heart-land?"

[@ASKMEABOUTMYGARDEN]

@@jimcampbell8061 yup

[@crushingalldeceivers]

LOL I don't think John understands his own mind and his own obsession with small town life, liberalism has done nothing to protect small towns or farmers. Rain on the scrarecrow, right John?

[@RandyHanley]

He looks like Dan Rather caught him off guard, waking him from a long nap.

[@Michael-el7uc]

Because he’s 84 years old. Lol

[@RandyHanley]

@@Michael-el7uc LOL!

[@sparky6592]

@@Michael-el7uc He's 72. I know you were joking, and it was really funny, but it made me look it up.

[@rossryder944]

Was he sleeping in that prison jumpsuit?

[@RandyHanley]

@@rossryder944 LOL. Good point.

[@mikesofamerica2024]

John's so angry. I get being angry and being young, or the short guy anger. But he's always been angry in an unfocused and wild way. I think it has to do with where he is from- that region is full of angry, stubborn, disappointed and depressed people...I've seen it 1st hand and it's something that is imbued deeply like in their psyche.

[@patrickc3419]

He sure does seem like a miserable person. I love how he’s like 4 feet tall and pretends to be touch.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

What's funny is, when my dad got remarried to a lady from Indiana. She was exactly like that. Always grumpy with a bit of a southern twang accent. She reminded me alot of Grandma from the Beverly Hilbillies. Who was always angry. 😂

[@patrickc3419]

What a miserable person. I love how he’s like 4 feet tall and pretends to be tough.

[@melting]

“It’s music to suck on chili dogs to.” - John Cougar Mellencamp

[@behemoth-lg9yr]

I thought you eat not suck on chili dogs 😊

[@Midnighthacker951]

I am sure he has sucked on a lot of chilli dogs in his life.

[@user-fs2nl6kt5x]

I always thought those were weird lyrics. I've never seen anyone sucking on chili dogs.

[@Midnighthacker951]

@@user-fs2nl6kt5x My guess is he has sucked down many a chili dog.

[@jamescon55]

Exactly!... 1st things FIRST! NO ONE (and I mean NO ONE) "sucks on chilli dogs"...😬🙄 ALWAYS thought the "JaD lyrics" were ridiculously LAME, personally but yeah...I ain't NOBODY anyways, right? Lol. 🥴

[@ryancarroll3961]

Epitome of alienating your fans to keep you narrow minded circle of friends happy

[@AussieTVMusic]

He's been like that since day 1. Alienating to asshats yeah

[@EdMagee]

God forbid he represent blue collar. He can pass the crown to Oliver Anthony.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

The Heartland is the backbone of this country

[@DaveNorton123]

I love how heartland rock is rock that appeals to blue collar workers and sounds like country + roots added to rock and that is 100% John

[@tyanez]

He should just say what Springsteen says, that basically his songs celebrate the idea of what America represents, which he loves. However, they all contain a little critique of the reality of it as well. If you understand that, then you understand where he's coming from.

[@tablespoon888]

Wtf..my head is spinning now..he should definitely go to the moon and stay there.

[@geraldwaldrop5131]

Not to long ago I met a lady and we had the most incredible romantic time. I thought we were going to be together forever. Then about a week later right out of the blue, she leaves me a John deer letter. So I called her up and she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her enough or something, I mean I don't know I really wasn't paying attention. But the thing that hurt the most is I think she was seeing another guy.....I never did find out who.

[@samdeninno1951]

Dumb and dumber

[@jonhildahl9982]

Classic movie

[@ASKMEABOUTMYGARDEN]

Dear john

[@theWZZA]

@@ASKMEABOUTMYGARDEN I think she wrote a letter about a tractor.

[@joes0406]

He sang about his roots in the heartland... what's wrong with that?

[@scarpfish]

There's nothing wrong with that. What there's a problem with is pigeonholing everything with bullshit labels to market it or to associate it with things the artist really never intended it to be tied to.

[@tennesseegregario7253]

I never knew he was such a tiny little guy.

[@KittyChanU2]

I loved him lots long ago. Now, listening today, I think he's trying too hard to be that little bastard. Hes hating everyone before they hate him again. Maybe it started with those rejection letters he covered his wall with at the start.

[@patrickc3419]

Agree 💯. There’s a reason voting is done behind a partition. It’s supposed to be anonymous!

[@richardlapinski8303]

What an enormously talented man!

[@rickmenmusic]

Let me tell all you people about John Mellencamp. You really don’t know him or his music . His music was never about conservatism. His music was never about rural America. Sure he was born in a small town and wrote a great songs about growing up in one .. He writes and sings about being a rebel teenager and what it was like going through life in hard times and good times. You have it all wrong about labeling him heartland music .Sure he sang about it . But he’s also written so much more about Life , peace , protecting our planet and great dance hits . His music is about living in America and doing the best you can . The problem with small town conservatism these days . They think they own the patton of what it means to be an American, Well they dont ! We all share the same American values wether your from a city or a small community. His music has always been about politics. Just listen to his catalog. It’s nothing new . It’s your choice to disrespect if that makes you feel better, His music represents everyone . He made his music for us all not just conservatives. He cares about human rights . Women’s rights and teaching music in our schools . We need to be proud that we have such a great talent from our country. Yes he’s getting older and isn’t the young cougar anymore, that’s okay . He will go down as one of the best singer songwriters America ever produced.. thanks John for all your great music. Helped to have a great life 🎼♥️😎

[@sunshine3914]

They’re insanely jealous of his popularity.

[@Midnighthacker951]

It looks like Mellonhead made a deal with the devil. He got his fame and fortune ........now he he has to finish out his life looking like an angry leprechaun.

[@bilbodiggins4274]

I love your American Heartland Songs and your Conservative ideas .We always knew how much you love the 2nd amendment as well. Thank you John Melonfag

[@lisamckeehan5980]

I'm commenting almost a year after this appeared on You Tube. I wonder how he feels now. Made a fortune off the blue collar, hard working people, then spit in their face. Took a while, but he's now reaping the hatred he has sown.

[@djhoneylove5710]

The man was being honest. And he believes what he believes. A bunch of people are disappointed because his songs didn't reflect the values that they thought they did in the 1980s. Jack and Diane ate too many chili dogs and are now so fat they can barely walk.

[@jasonwashere8016]

The man became a liberal and he doesn't know himself anymore...That's honest 💯🗑️🙏

[@its-all-happening2172]

You broke my heart John. What happened to you man?

[@isaacmontoya9636]

This dude shouldn’t even care about what his music is labeled as. You play music that’s got that heartland vibe. Except it and move forward. You got fans that love you so enjoy that

[@mamawstyotor]

His preacher was right…..”You don’t need no strength, you need to grow up son.” He shoulda taken that advice.

[@theplayersclub1126]

Mellencamp...BOOOOOOOO!

[@Michael-gi3dk]

Who?

[@Midnighthacker951]

John Cuckoo Mellonhead.

[@ernestbamburg329]

Honesty.... is a beautiful thing!

[@frankod100]

Michael Myers wants his clothes back Johnny

[@torsch69]

Dan Rather neglected to tell him he already has a song written about him.

[@mollyschamber584]

Farm Aid? This is not what I thought I would hear as a QA of this guy

[@TheTLCProject]

Love this ❤ Been listening to him since I can remember.

[@wolfgangproductions7402]

I’m still in love with him lol I talk a lot about him on my videos

[@davidrobertson5881]

WHY ?

[@gigieyre]

The wonderful thing about opinions is that everyone has one. I've never really liked any of his songs and I certainly don't like his politics. However, it doesn't matter. There's something for everyone.

[@attielordan7554]

His music is his music. Always has been. It incorporates his view of whatever.

[@OneVoiceMore]

Did he just compare himself to actual musicians?

[@tubbers20]

Didn't he once say that WW2 didn't have to be fought? 😄

[@michaelbruce2699]

Republicans: "KEEP POLITICS OUT OF YOUR MUSIC!" Also Republicans: "KID ROCK AND TED NUGENT ARE AWESOME AND TELL IT LIKE IT IS!"

[@wallyoff]

Now working at McDonalds......

[@tubbers20]

Best comment from another thread: John Cougar Menstrual Cramp.

[@BlueBlazer47]

Incel language.

[@vitoisnick]

Holy smokes does he come across as a self indulgent jerk. Johnny Couger!! Hahaha

[@annahanguiano8931]

Ahh triggered he's a liberal.😂majority of musicians are especially from the 80's. You conservatives are snowflakes 😂

[@benjaminstermer2747]

He didn't drink his milk and now he's angry being 4 foot 9

[@sonder7971]

John Camp Cougarmellon FU and JB... buy some clothes.

[@ELWOOD..]

WHO DAK?

[@mecutetoo64]

Mellencamp needs a come to Jesus moment!!! I loved his older music… I will stop there!

[@materialclassified]

What's with wearing onesie's?

[@jamescon55]

As Michael Myers is SCREAMING...HE WANTS HIS COVERALLS BACK, that Johnny Cougar obviously STOLE.... Leastways? They kinda match his delusional sense of entitlement/mindset.... NOWADAYS? He just needs the matching STRAIGHT JACKET as well, Lol....

[@AlwaysAwesome001]

Hillary fashion statement. ✅

[@juanitahill4832]

Love this man...he's so brutally honest! True to himself, so respect his opinions, his talent. God bless you John! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

[@jupitermadcat]

Wonderful interview

[@BBlooger]

Woah. This'll piss off some people. Good work!

[@neonbuzzards]

There’s that leftie chili dog guy.

[@julieb7785]

Obama......safely ensconced on Martha's Vineyard, on a chem lawn, entertaining with the Ivy League hedge fund set.

[@michaellalli7693]

With a dead body found on his property, nothing to see here.

[@MikeDiCiero]

pigeon holing people and politics is futile

[@Scrodybonjovilalala]

i sense some addiction struggles here....

[@BloodySoup74]

Yikes. Maybe he can sing about standing up for everything now. Once you do you are screwed. Like this interview.

[@tommaveety3139]

Uh….. I mean you know, I have uh…

[@user-lv7zf6cu4d]

Yeah.....Mellencamp definitely gives off "Get off my lawn" vibes" like he's sick and tired of living in this world

[@steveconn]

Love Mellancamp. Admirer of German expressionist painter Max Beckmann, saw fascism in American politics years ago. Zep is horrible though, John.

[@erichbrinkerhoff2360]

Zep is horrible.....your worse than he is....and that's saying something!

[@user-fs2nl6kt5x]

How is he famous?

[@glennhales7302]

Looks like a diesel mechanic! No offense to diesel mechanics.

[@indycarcomplainer2304]

Great stuff! I love how surly Mellencamp still is and how dumbfounded “conservatives” are when they realize that they never paid attention to the lyrics, all of these decades.

[@canefan17]

I don’t listen to music for the hidden political message (if there even is one), but Mellancamp is kiddin himself if he thinks “conservatives just aren’t listening to the lyrics if they see my music as small town heartland.” His most popular songs are exactly that, and I’ll continue to enjoy them as that.

[@wwbuirkle]

He lost all credibility when he recently said Blacks today were no better off than they were during slavery

[@YY-ei1gm]

He is a shame to small town American people.we are suffering. Badly. I have loved him since 1979 at Kim Moens house with Jack and Diane. I am 50 now. He has all of the money we don’t. Fuck mellencamp.

[@user-ch5ly7lm9q]

He and other celebs need to keep their politics to themselves and shut up!

[@AussieTVMusic]

Trumpers upset he's not one of them 😆

[@BobbyGrant-kc4pt]

Looks like someone punched him in his eye lol

[@Bkeen874]

Now I finally know why I always hated his music. He's a commi.

[@eldesgraciado6690]

I'm a Latino man and I'm voting for TRUMP!!!!!

[@evanhammond3783]

That’s nice, honey.

[@DebtheReb1369]

He's not a significant rocker anymore. He has forgotten his small town roots. He is with Meg Ryan in Hollywood now. He's turned liberal.

[@jupitermadcat]

He’s not with meg Ryan anymore

[@mjrocks40]

Are you a new fan? He has always been liberal..good grief do some research

[@pablohernandez9405]

Being a Liberal is the best.

[@seanm3226]

@@pablohernandez9405 Yes, everything worldwide is going so well.

[@pablohernandez9405]

@@seanm3226 Thank you. 👍

[@Buffrt66]

Little pink houses, is about government funded housing complexes, as they had in the USSR.

[@harrybyrne950]

I think he likes to hear himself talk, but he never says much of anything

[@mikedarrow3809]

Cute couple

[@patriarch3056]

Another weird leftist

[@jasonwashere8016]

A liberal loses their soul .He doesn't even know his own music...💯🗑️🙏

[@colkurtz8065]

He is so liberal, he can't bring himself to stand for the National Anthem.

[@pablohernandez9405]

...and I support that.

[@colkurtz8065]

@@pablohernandez9405 figures

[@garymiller2237]

Most of the comments would lead me

[@purplenaturellc733]

John could sing but he like to stick his foot in his mouth when discussing politics 😂

[@AlwaysAwesome001]

🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 🌽 Corn Pop syndrome.

[@JRN007]

The Trump campaign just used his song. lol

[@user-zv9um9pb6w]

Not job

[@tubbers20]

Two uber lefties yakking it up.

[@michaelking3148]

My goodness, he has enough forehead for another face.

[@ChrisG-cy2om]

John is one of my favorite artists. However, he just doesn't get it. If his songs had come from a "liberal" direction, they would have flopped. The very reason for his success is that his music appeals to everyday small town mostly conservative Americans. Far left progressives are not buying his music.

[@leegosling]

Nonsense… I’m pretty far left by US standards…left of the UK Labour Party… his stuff appeals across the board not just to small town small minded Hicksvilles… I think you are stereotyping your own there. And his politics is well known and respected outside of whatever bubble you’re living in.

[@ChrisG-cy2om]

@@leegosling If you like his music, clearly you are a closet conservative. There's hope for you yet 😁

[@leegosling]

@@ChrisG-cy2om Then as he, himself, says at 4minutes. "You're not listening to the songs"

[@ChrisG-cy2om]

@@leegosling John is a bit delusional. It is clear from the interview. He may be progressive now, but his music from his heyday is clearly not. I hear just fine. It's Jack and Diane. Not Jack and guy Stan.

[@leegosling]

@@ChrisG-cy2om Perfect example… You should check out the story it’s derived from (Sweet Bird of Youth)… clearly social comment about wasted youth, social dysfunction and sexual promiscuity, rebellion against religious conformity etc…. Paying homage to a bisexual playwright with a history of drug use… it’s not a song about wholesome kids in the Midwest…that’s just the ironic surface… it’s a very dark song. So I think the points are proven. Rock on Johnny… going over the heads of people who see the world in one dimension and don’t understand the music, lyric, message or world.

[@suzd9692]

This is disappointing.

[@FOXLIES]

The vast majority of great artists are left wing liberals......

[@debbiewilhelm6018]

Weirdo

[@rclutsam2112]

I just unfortunately reconfirmed my thoughts on him. He sure as hell aint spending his money on clothes. I'm actually surprised he isn't in a dress with his "I'm the most liberal person there is" statement. Who can forget that super liberal anthem, Rain on the Scarecrow?

[@OneVoiceMore]

Relic trying for relevance, LONG LOST.

[@joshmajor8662]

It's such a shame!!! I grew up on his music after finding my parents vinyl collection, fell in love, and never looked back. THEN, I heard him speak on certain subjects..... how can you be so brainwashed to the point your driving fans away and have access to EVERY resource out there? It's like Biden called him and said, "You work for me now!". Then he just went with it Haha John Mellencamp died years ago in my mind...... this person is just a shell of what he was.

[@markhansen8039]

Brainwashed ha ha ha! Hi Fox News robot bitch

[@Charlie-gs8or]

Listen to the lyrics of his music, he has always been progressive.

[@jasongress8764]

Him brainwashed…lol😂

[@McRick2000]

Oh, I'm sorry for the confusion, let me help straighten things out for you. John Mellencamp and his music have always been progressive and enlightened and, apparently, you've always been a moron. Your idiot head would explode if you knew what "Jack & Diane" was actually about.

[@annahanguiano8931]

Conservatives are the only ones brainwashed

[@stevem8602]

Dan Rather- go home and stay there

[@HappyHermitt]

He is an unhappy and ungrateful person

[@TheKeithbruce]

this snow flake thinks a lot of himself

[@fordguy61mi]

Mellencamp is a hot mess now.

[@FOXLIES]

The vast majority of great artists are left wing liberals......l

[@fastwolfrolling1344]

And you’re not. Sorry about your luck.

[@jerrywagner4690]

John you are so right... your ability to use your leftist views like a weapon... has taught me to think about who I admire. And you sir, are who I taught my Son to avoid, thank you.

[@dustybawls5603]

What a washed up old man! John Cougar Menstrualcamp!

[@BlueBlazer47]

Grow up, incel.

[@AlwaysAwesome001]

​@@BlueBlazer47👈🏿 Sensitive goober. 🤣

[@BlueBlazer47]

@@AlwaysAwesome001: Are you? You're also a frustrated incel. 😄😁

[@zanderseymour4937]

Sorry John...but all music is open to personal interpretation. My conservative ears hear your rhetoric in a completely different direction...& there is nothing that you can do to sway me over to your point of view. I simply ain't going your way. That works the same way when a liberal person hears a conservative view in a song...they do a 180 on it too. "I feel the heat of your frustration John... I know it's burnin' you up deep down inside.." Be well my liberal musical friend. From a conservative gal who loves her some John Mellencamp.

[@McRick2000]

So, you're saying his music isn't about what he says it's about? Rrright, and America is a lollipop paradise and Trump's not a traitor too, huh?

[@annahanguiano8931]

Then you're twisting his songs into what it doesn't truly interpret. Majority of artists are liberal and they will be vocal about their views.

[@yadda333]

@@McRick2000 It's the nature of language, which is why Derrida's deconstruction framework holds up when talking about interpretation. Meaning is multiplied through readership/listenership because words/sentences/ideas are filtered through everybody's own personal experiences, which can lead to varied interpretations. You ever have to tell somebody the same thing using different words becaue they didn't understand your meaning? You ever read the book and interpret certain parts differently from somebody else? You ever wonder why there are so many different denominations within the Christian religion? If you're going to be a leftist, at least learn the theoretical frameworks that form the basis of the majority of "leftist" argumentation.

[@McRick2000]

@@yadda333 You're talking about philosophical misunderstanding of his meaning? Well, it's easy to understand Mellencamp's lyrical intent if you just listen to his own explanation of it.

[@yadda333]

​@@McRick2000 We're talking about human language and the nature of interpretation. You're out of your element and league, McStoner.

[@Bikesandbowties]

Never a fan of this little guy