A BANGER!!.. | FIRST TIME HEARING John Mellencamp - Cherry Bomb REACTION

A BANGER!!.. | FIRST TIME HEARING John Mellencamp - Cherry Bomb REACTION
Original Video:
Welcome to Rob Squad Reactions This is a music reaction channel. My passion is being a content creator, and providing my audience with unique, funny, and never before seen reaction videos. I have come to grow a love for all types of music from my beloved rap to heavy metal and I want to share that love with all of you. Being a content creator is my passion and it brings me so much joy and being able to share my passion and joy with all of you and grow as a community is an amazing feeling. In addition to reacting to all different types of music, I am also a a husband to my amazing wife Amber and a dad to 3 amazing kids Bria, Kiya and Luca. I am here to try and make a change in this world starting with something that brings us all together MUSIC!!
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[@jeffmayle6776]

“Hurt so good”, “Small town”, “Pink houses”…..the list goes on…..check out some of his newer stuff too 👍

[@carokat1111]

"Lonely 'ol night" is a good one too.

[@grahambamford9073]

Love hurt so good great song.

[@Sportsref13]

I was lucky and able to attend the MTV Pink House contest party.. got to watch a sneak preview of the movie "Streets of Fire" lots of great times that night

[@juliansandoval9927]

Pink houses for sure that song gets to me all the time

[@delisamarchetti5926]

Hi guys, you asked what the line "back when a smoke was a smoke" meant. He meant a cigarette, not marijuana or crack or any other drug. Meaning that life was innocent. Life was really like that, it was so much more innocent back in the day. Holding hands and dancing close, lyrics about love and tenderness. Music reflects society and when you listen to the old music, you see the values and the feelings of people that lived back then. It makes me sad sometime when I reflect on the lyrics of many of the songs today. Often superficial, and disrespectful to women, they are often just violent words being yelled out into the crowds, or sad poignant songs that reflects a kind of helpless loneliness that just rips your heart out. I try to keep an open mind and listen to all kind of music. But what I have found is that What you listen to greatly effects how you feel. When you listen to positive music, you find that the world seems a little more hopeful.

[@dreamweaver8913]

I thought the same thing, but looked up the lyrics and it's actually "back when a sport was a sport". I couldn't believe it! I always heard it like you did, lol. Shocked me to see it on a few different lyrics sites.

[@TheRealSweetcherryo]

@@dreamweaver8913 I knew he wasn't saying 'smoke' but it needed to be and that is how I sang it....

[@mokumboi19]

Yeah, he's saying sport, not smoke.

[@donnagonatas3155]

So well said. And i 100% agree with you. I swear thats why young girls today have no respect for themselves. Thats what they are hearing. And young men listen to violence in the lyrics. Holding hands DID mean to much when growing up in the 60s& 70s.✌❤

[@donnagonatas3155]

@@dreamweaver8913 omg really??????

[@donnagonatas3155]

Back in the 80s when farmers were losing their farms to the banks he started Farm aid to help them. He grew up in Indiana and never left. He still lives there. A real hometown boy making it big. He has sooooo many amazing songs. Yry paper and fire, we aint even done with the night, pink houses. And there are 100s more. ✌❤

[@nebelungpixie9373]

Lol I just posted similar, talking about this being the source of his and Meg Ryan’s issues. She’s all about the limelight. He ain’t.

[@vickilloyd7472]

Willie Nelson, John mellencamp and Neil Young came together to start farm aid.

[@maureencurran5625]

Agreed. The Scarecrow album was all about the farmers. Great great songs. I saw him live on the tour for that album. AMAZING!!! This guy is the real deal. Down to earth, great songwriter, singer, and dancer!!!

[@HandleTakenlol]

Rain on the Scarecrow

[@donnagonatas3155]

@@blakerh well i don't know him personally.. He just did a great thing for the farmers among other artists.

[@bluzluvah5643]

The Autoharp brings back a lot of childhood memories, an old elementary school teacher of mine played it in class and had the class sing songs......John is a true Storyteller !!

[@hitman142002]

WOW...my own grade school music teacher played one too!! Mrs Gross (later Mrs Mahan) taught me love many different kinds of music

[@floydshaw3960]

Was in several elementary school in the 60's

[@debibailey2968]

Same memories of that for me too!! ❤️

[@kilroy1976]

Ditto.

[@jeffcamp481]

So did my elementary music teacher, a part of our youth shared by many of us!

[@redarmysoja]

"The Authority Song" "Lonely Old Night" "Little Pink Houses" "Ain't even done with the Night" "Wild Night" "Paper in Fire". Mellencamp has a ton of great stuff.

[@bsanderfer]

Also "Hurts So good," "Hand to Hold On To," "Crumblin' Down," "Play Guitar," "Small Town," "I Need a Lover," etc. He has had soooooo many hits.

[@karenkat1111]

Another great one 'Ain't even done with the night'!

[@alfredgalan6077]

Yeppers those are definitely must listen to songs you guys rock !!!! I don’t know if you guys feel it when you listen to his music but I feel like I got a big of good ole American cherverolet , apple pie, Midwest vibe makes me proud to be an American 🇺🇸

[@oldgamerdad77]

@@bsanderfer My dad was so into Mellencamp and every time I hear Hand to Hold on To - that one always hit home with him

[@Fritzi_A]

My favourite is Rain On the Scarecrow

[@wilholloway7876]

When a smoke was a smoke. When groovin' was groovin'....

[@flakeyjay]

He was the definition of middle America sound and proud of his indiana farm town sounds. You must do "Authority Song" or "Hurts so good"!

[@jenncrossfield5202]

Essential songs! Agree!

[@BabyVapor]

This song is significant in several ways. I was the first video on MTV with a mixed couple dancing together. In a interview in Florida he was asked about this song meaning he said it was about a venue that was in my hometown where he did his first show. They said he wouldn't make it, best artist from Indiana.

[@johncurtis7186]

“Rain On The Scarecrow”, is a good JCM listen.

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

SCARECROW is one of the most underrated albums of the 80s.

[@jenniferrafferty5905]

💯 love that song.

[@keithsullivan5815]

Scarecrow is a must, great story about real problems in America at the time

[@thomasfinnell5418]

That's my favorite, plus Paper in fire.

[@Fritzi_A]

That's my favourite song by him

[@retiretravelexplore]

"17 has turned 35, I'm surprised that we're still livin'"...Always liked that line.

[@rhiahlMT]

Mellencamp can rock. I always looked at him as like an "Americana" artist. Songs about growing up in the midwest and life as a young American. Loved everything he did.

[@rileyandmike]

That is a great description

[@cesarnarro6013]

Definitely fits in the "Americana" umbrella

[@RCSmith-rf7vj]

Play Guitar is my favorite Mellencamp song.

[@beaubradley2171]

@@blakerh he openly admits that he’s pretty tough to get along with, I mean, his nickname ‘Little Bastard’ pretty much sums it up. You called him a fraud in an earlier comment and actually he’s about as far from a fraud as anyone can be. He is who he is and owns it.

[@johnrutherford2961]

A lot of his music has almost a Zydeco groove to it. Autoharp, squeeze box, and fiddle, for sure. JCM is amazing.

[@Dragonsinger71]

Actually that squeezebox sound is a melodica. It's a reed instrument that's blown into but has keys like the squeeze box. Jon Batiste used to make use of one often when he was bandleader for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

[@robynanthony1612]

Cherry Bomb was one of his best songs, in my opinion. Another great one was Rain on the Scarecrow, about the hard times of the farmers. John and Willie Nelson and some other artists would put on a benefit concert every year to help out the farmers.❤️

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Farm Aid!!

[@markvanderstelt8999]

love rain on the ScareCrow

[@sandymyers5002]

I was at the first Farm Aid! My Uncle and Aunt took me. It was AMAZING!!!!

[@rongray9879]

Rain on a scarecrow!!!

[@v.j.3029]

Cherry Bomb is actually my favorite song of his. It's got such a melancholic vibe to it. 80's artists had a great knack at creating different sounds that will immerse you into a certain mood.

[@amelirachelmcqueen]

Forgot to mention... I saw John Cougar Mellencamp live at Farm Aid in 1987 as a 10 year old girl. Little did I know I'd still be loving his music in my 40's!!! Great music is timeless.

[@ChanelStuff]

As has been stated, John Mellancamp is a true blue American born and bred artist. "Americana" is the sound that's most used with his music. I love this artist because it seems that everything he put out was about the simpler life. Hard work and family is what comes to my mind when I hear him. You just don't find holesome music much anymore and that also what I get from his work. Try ROCK in the USA, Little Pink Houses, The Authority Song, Small Town, The Walls Come Tumbling Down.... you won't be disappointed!

[@RLKmedic0315]

Paper in Fire is my favorite by John Mellencamp.

[@michaelasay8587]

Isn't he over 70 now??

[@tigger7466]

@@michaelasay8587 He's exactly 70! 😊

[@tigger7466]

Yes, indeed! He has a HUGE impressive list of songs! I especially love "Ain't Even Done With The Night", one that hardly anyone talks about, but is imo, one of his best songs! It came out in 1980 when he was still John Mellencamp. It has this catchy ol skool vibe that I've always loved, and I love how he dances and sings in the video! 🥰

[@maverick2242]

I still remember him as a John Cougar Mellencamp, never liked it when he dropped the cougar , dunno why, songs still sic as though….

[@DJHolte]

This song is so evocative -- "holding hands meant something", "dancing was everything" -- it takes me back to those very things years ago with someone you had a crush on, and at those exact moments in time, you didn't think life could get any better than that.

[@morningcoffeebreak7367]

The Autoharp is often a featured instrument in country music...especially the more traditional songs. It's always cool to see someone use it as part of pop/rock.

[@gypsygirl3255]

Mother Maybell Carter was a master.

[@michaelkeefe8494]

A staple of elementary school music teachers in my day.

[@ryanawilson8549]

I kept wanting to call it a lap harp

[@i4long]

Maybell Carter played guitar, Sara Carter played Autoharp and sang lead.

[@coy0te9]

@@i4long Maybell played it too.

[@ewrekzz7360]

In addition to being a damn fine musician and surrounding himself with even more others, he insisted on making social progress with his videos. The interracial couple was still something that raised eyebrows - but it advanced the cause of an enlightened society. I wish we still had musical acts that were autonomous enough to make these kind of influential statements.

[@sundayze]

"Hurt So Good" was a JCM radio hit in the early 80's, and I remember playing volleyball with my friends, with this song blaring. Good memories!

[@Dooklawz]

seems forever ago but a friend and I endured a scorching Saturday afternoon while attending the then annual Taste Of Chicago. That day the musical entertainment was John Cougar Mellencamp opening for The Beach Boys. Hurts So Good was still pretty new, I think this was '83. Was an awesome show, and after his performance JCM allowed a pretty large group of us to mingle around by the side/back stage area (this was in the outdoor arena) and kind of greet him, get autographs, stuff like that...he was so genuinely cool, down to earth and really appreciative of his fans there...it was a really cool moment. Now, at the other end of the spectrum, once the BB finished their performance they weren't having any of that....no one was allowed to sort of migrate over to where they were post-show. They had like roadies/guards and such telling people nope, can't be back here, ect. Not the BB's fault, just their staff weren't having it....which was disappointing cause I love the Beach Boys as well but no autographs that day. Point to note: they shouldn't have worried about we fans that day as everyone who had kind of mingled around JCM and met him and the like were all well behaved and it was so chill. Was thinking that since the BB had been in this business quite a long time already to this point, perhaps they/their staff and such had already seen enough of what they'd consider 'mob scenes' with fans and just chose to avoid all that. I can understand that though....some people just don't know how to act sometimes. But it was an excellent experience getting to sort of meet and hang out by JCM and his band for just a little while...made us forget that it was like 105 degrees that day. :)

[@sundayze]

@@Dooklawz Awesome story!

[@barbarachieppo9603]

Me too.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

LOVED THIS REACTION!!! AMBER AND JORDAN, YOU GUYS ARE A JOY TO WATCH!!!

[@waynefurrow845]

That's an "Auto-Harp" he's playing on the beach. Check out "Pink Houses" , "Paper and Fire", "Rain on the Scarecrow", "R.O.C.K. in the USA". He's got a large catalog, and it's all very good.

[@cheryljackson5659]

Yes! An autoharp! Every kid in my grade school back in the 60s anxiously awaited their turn to play that instrument in music class!

[@DaveH111]

I love how easily he seems to evoke feeling of innocence and youth through his subtle observations. We can all connect with that. I love your reactions --we're all right there with you. Would love to see more.

[@linrn53]

I've never heard a bad song from him! This song really tells the American story about growing up.

[@MissAstorDancer]

yes, it tells the story about a Baby Boomer (he's 2 years older than me) becoming an adult and starting to become aware that we had been sold a bill of goods with the whole "American Dream" thing......and many "learned to love their servitude", just like the guy in the song with a freeway running through his yard, who thinks he's got it so good... It's also about a general "waking up to reality" that happens to most as we become adults, and have adult experiences. Most adults lead lives of quiet desperation, after their "dreams just kinda came and went".

[@TracyfromNC]

JOHN "cougar" Mellancamp is an icon! HE DOES ROCKING BOMBS TOO.

[@nunuvyabusiness8550]

My favorite John Mellancamp song is “Ain’t even done with the night” it was off of an earlier album before he really hit big but the arrangement of the song shows that attention to the small details in the music that are so prevalent throughout his 80’s repertoire.

[@brianpollock7700]

Completely agree with this comment.

[@DJHolte]

Great choice! Another really early one of his is "I Need A Lover" -- which was more famously covered by Pat Benatar.

[@mokumboi19]

@@DJHolte Hmm. John's version made it up to #25 on the Billboard charts, while Pat's never made the top 100. Honestly, I totally forgot she covered it. His version is an absolute classic.

[@deegomez2089]

And Hurts So Good

[@maryannturton9830]

Yes,best song!

[@rbb9753]

I’m from John’s hometown; what you see is what you get. I’ve never met him, but his dad and my dad used to golf together. I’ve seen him at least a dozen times, but the best BY FAR was when he showed up at the Bluebird, a local place in Bloomington IN, with JJ Cale and Lou Reed in ‘87. The place held maybe 200 people but I’ve met 5,000 people who were there that night.

[@amyw8423]

You guys are on fire today! John Cougar Mellencamp has so many songs to choose from

[@melissafesig8327]

I grew up with “John Cougar”! He didn’t become John Mellancamp for many years. Either name he was someone I listened to over and over!!! His music was so ingrained into my years of growing up. Every song is so great and they each have an special memory to go with them. His music will always be a part of my life! How about a Loverboy song? Working for the weekend, Loving every minute of it are great songs! (So many more)

[@anniem169]

He was always John Mellencamp...his first record label renamed him Johnny Cougar and he fought a long legal battle to stop that absolute crap.

[@madtypr]

I've known him by 3 names - Johnny Cougar, John Cougar Mellencamp, and John Mellencamp.

[@larslindstrom2112]

@@madtypr Dont forget that he released a handful of albums as "John Cougar" too... ;-)

[@galvinklatt5273]

John Cougar Mellencap! Yay!!! There are numerous hits to choose, I think “Hurts So Good” is perfect. It’s upbeat, fun, and a BANGER! 🤩

[@sharonlaudat3297]

Great lyrics ”We were young and we were improving”. I miss feeling those days too.

[@jeffe4297]

17 has turned 35, I'm surprised that we're still livin'. If we've done any harm, I hope that we're forgivin'.

[@bakercarl8518]

One of my favorites. Still has his poster. Don't stop with just this song.

[@real_lostinthefogofwar]

John is pure Americana, he's a national treasure.

[@johnlemay1071]

This artist has so many more songs ! Great songs! Pink houses . Small town. And more

[@darrinlindsey]

Lyrics - That's when a sport was a sport And groovin' was groovin' And dancin' meant everything We were young, and we were improvin'

[@EydeRedman]

Nice!! I just enjoy you two so much! Keep being you!❤

[@andreaschmall5560]

Lonely Old Night will always be my favorite of his.

[@susanneg2824]

Loved your obvious enjoyment! This is my favorite of his great works. It’s joyous and nostalgic.

[@tedyellacatbabb5718]

If you’re doing John Mellencamp you’ve got to do “Paper In Fire” (that instument was an autoharp)

[@christinadiane4257]

Yes . i 2nd this vote✌😄

[@johnhart3870]

Yes, that should be next.

[@timpeterson1469]

Definitely should be next - awesome video too

[@LMmccallL57]

Absolutely! I like watching the girl with the fiddle get into the music. I almost said "violin", but remembered what type of music it is. LOL!

[@txheadshots]

One of my favorites.. up there with Rain on the Scarecrow and Jack & Diane

[@Nana_Reads]

John was my favorite as a teen I was smitten when “Ain’t even done with the Night” came out and he was my first concert at 15 still love this talented artist.🥰

[@brian52763]

When he emerged on the scene, the record company told him the John Mellencamp wouldn't "sell", so they made change change it to John Cougar! He hated it and as he got more successful he introduced his own name back and went by John Cougar Mellencamp and then he dropped the Cougar altogether!

[@stevedavis5704]

It’s like Kenny Rogers said about switching from pop to country-You know you have made it when you can tell the label what you’re going to do instead of them telling you what you’re going to do.

[@jamessinacore6991]

Thank you for being the first comment I’ve seen that actually acknowledges and explains this name situation. John HATED the whole “Johnny Cougar” thing. And said that no one ever called him “Johnny” in his life. He was embarrassed by the Cougar thing, but wanted a record contract so bad after so much rejection that he went with it. I was so happy for him when he overcame the name with us talent and fame.

[@gregwilliams135]

The beach is where he had a home in hilton head,SC..we went there about 30 yrs ago and walked the beach and saw him playing with his kids..cool thing was no one bothered him..everyone let him have his privacy..

[@patriciapappas4087]

That's when a smoke was a smoke. Love him. Another good one is Little Pink Houses !

[@groovydjs]

Sport

[@mitchellbeston1033]

@@groovydjs Yep its sport. I owned this album when it first came out in 1987 and the lyrics were on the album cover.

[@patriciapappas4087]

Learn something new every day.👍

[@cindys5426]

Thought it was a smoke all this time. 😳😁

[@vincejaramillo1271]

This is one of my all time favorite songs. It reminds me of my teenage years in my small hometown. ❤️

[@NOLAgenX]

His early works starting in the 70’s were as the made-up name of John/Johnny Cougar. The name was forced on him. As he became more widely known and respected in early 80’s he added his last name to it as John Cougar Mellencamp. Finally he dumped Cougar altogether and has been John Mellencamp ever since. The line in question is “That’s when a smoke was a smoke” EDIT: read through Correction was pointed out to me as Sport. 👍

[@taniaPBear]

No, it's actually sport was a sport

[@NOLAgenX]

@@taniaPBear You’re right, lol! All these years I heard smoke. Puts me right there with everyone that thought it was “spoke” 😂

[@taniaPBear]

@@NOLAgenX Totally sounds like smoke. I was a bit deflated when I first learned it was sport, just doesn't feel the same, does it?

[@NOLAgenX]

@@taniaPBear you’re right, it doesn’t but I’d rather know the actual word. Thanks for the clarification.

[@seanellio]

I always thought it was Sport was a Sport".

[@durv13]

one of my favourite artists in the 80's , so many good songs .

[@magicbrownie1357]

This entire album, Lonesome Jubilee, had this very rural Indiana sound. It's my favorite album of his. The instrument John plays on the beach is called an auto-harp.

[@JamesPetit1]

I'm an 62 yr old daydreamer rmembering good times like this, When holding hands meant something baby. It's all gone. That's a harpsichord, we all learned to play them briefly in grade school believe it or not. Funny I put the "Holding meant something baby" up in my remarks before you even mentioned it My favorite line !

[@michelletodd4893]

I remember harpsicord.

[@caseymoe816]

Great pick! “THAT” is an autoharp. My kindergarten teacher used to use it when she played music to us little tykes. A very simple instrument. 🤙

[@susandenell3982]

My kindergarten or first grade teacher played it for us, too.

[@lewistasso8866]

@@susandenell3982 Me too! Haven't seen one since until the movie "Walk The Line."

[@MrRjm145]

Dolly plays one too! Like there is ONE instrument that she doesn’t play!!

[@scottNNJ]

Is it? I always thought an autoharp was played laying flat on a table. I don’t remember being able to hold it up against one’s chest while playing it.

[@tamifaulkner4103]

We played that in grade school!

[@Star_R666]

The chorus is When A Sport Was A Sport and Groovin' Was Groovin'. The female singer is Crystal Taliefero, she has sung with many an artist.

[@ajaxfernsby491]

The killer backing vocals are performed by Crystal Taliefero. She is very talented, plays numerous instruments and has worked with Springsteen and Billy Joel among many others.

[@yrankin1]

Yeeesss!! Great reaction. John Mellencamp is so instantly sentimental.

[@joanmayfield4791]

John is his own genre. Very original and campy. Listen to John Mellencamp with Me'Shell Ndegeocello - Wild Night it's really who he is.

[@karenkat1111]

Love his version of 'Wild Night'!!!!

[@matthewdrake4385]

The original by Van Morrison is pretty good too

[@katiebarbeau7563]

I had forgotten how much I love this song. Way underplayed

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

"Rain on the Scarecrow" is one of his best songs

[@bolo5584]

I saw John Mellencamp in Vancouver in the mid 80s' and it was the best concert I ever saw.

[@MrRjm145]

I always get a chuckle when y’all say a song is innocent. Jack and Dianne gets filthy!! “Dribble off those Bobby Brooks and let me do what I please”. Bobby Brooks was a brand of jeans!! My wife of 41 years wore something similar, “back in the day”!!

[@Handleweary]

Mellencamp and I grew up in the same America. His lyrics remind me of my teens and early 20s. Such a great time to be young. Everyone should experience that!

[@Indy1831]

Have no doubt that John is a Rock & Roller……..he is one of America’s greatest singer/songwriters.

[@glendamott6420]

There so much to John Mellancamp very smart artist , musician, dancer and down to earth . Love him .

[@brian52763]

Little Pink Houses is a great tune of his!

[@thomassoane4302]

87, my first high school dance at a new school, all new friends but this song was the vibe! Good music's always linked to a happy memory.

[@lynnchristenson6209]

John's songs always remind me of the small town I lived in for many years. He captures that feeling and life style so well!

[@shellzmoe8966]

This got me emotional just reminiscing about a song about reminiscing!! This was my favorite song at one time and my favorite JCM song ever. I love y’all, thanks for your appreciation for great music! ❤️

[@ceebee9711]

"Ain't Even Done With The Night" is a great song by John Cougar

[@karenkat1111]

My absolute favorite song by him!!! Yes!

[@paulz6491]

Great reaction, you really captured the spirit of the song! 😊

[@chrystiholt5273]

I have had the privilege of seeing him live. He is AMAZING in concert

[@twwtjohns]

We saw John 'Cougar' Mellencamp open for Heart in the early 80s in Lakeland Florida. He was excellent, a great showman and performer as well as an amazing story teller.

[@cleekmaker00]

that's when a sport was a sport and groovin' was groovin' and dancing meant everything we were young and we were improvin'

[@dianelindquist9796]

Smoke was a smoke

[@billkacvinsky988]

First saw, then, John 'Cougar" (Mellancamp) as an opening act for the Kinks. After the concert EVERYBODY was just talking about the energy, the sound, the dancing of John Cougar.

[@mj95b]

The older I get the more the song rings true (I was 16 when "Jack & Diane" debuted). DH & I often reminisce about all the great times we have spent together (36 years) and with the Army family (friends for over 3 decades) we have. Getting old can be painful in many years, but looking back can be so sweet!

[@cesarnarro6013]

If i could go back and be young back in those days when i was, i wouldn't hesitate for a second to do it. If i had the opportunity to be young today....no thanks i'd rather have the memories i made back then !!!

[@julieheath9507]

I was 16 as well. Miss those much simpler day’s, crusin down the boulevard in my home town listening to “John cougar” Mellancamp.

[@mj95b]

@@cesarnarro6013 I think we had it made. Great music, great friends and we actually went out and DID something rather than having our faces buried in a screen or taking selfish after selfie.

[@Golf8802]

@@cesarnarro6013 wow, that is so true. Kind of sad for the future generations.

[@Sportsref13]

shimmy off those Bobby Brooks :P

[@doulbledee9758]

An American songwriter. Saw him in concert 3 times always a great show.

[@tinakeith5822]

Rain on a Scarecrow Little Pink Houses Authority Song and this one are my favorite John Cougar Mellencamp songs!

[@hoopsmccann9228]

It’s the accordion that gives it that unique Mellencamp ‘heartland’ sound. Really nice.

[@ashleycrawford1974]

One of my all time favorite artist,became a fan when I was 8.Seen him live twice,the concerts were amazing.I would also suggest Crumblin Down,Authority Song,Rain On the Scarecrow,Paper In Fire and Check It Out(that one has a live video that really shows how good he is live).John uses a lot of different instruments and sounds,you will never be disappointed.

[@karenkat1111]

Gotta add 'Wild Night' and 'Ain't even done with the night'

[@darrellthorpe7654]

John Cougar…then John Cougar Mellencamp…then finally his given name John Mellencamp. No matter which name, he rocks & has soooo many great tunes👍🏼

[@ronnix23]

JM is truly a great and underrated song writer in my book. To see a different side of him you should check out "Rain on the Scarecrow", which is about the plight of the American farmer, or "R.O.C.K. in the USA" which is about the inspiration he got from some of rocks early pioneers.

[@TripletDad3]

Both of the songs you suggested are excellent. They should do both of them.

[@BrendanAshton]

Both great song forgot R.O.C.K

[@jamma2916]

Violins, accordions, wood blocks and cowbells! John has a distinct style and character to his music.

[@cuzz63]

needs more cowbell.

[@davewildermuth7519]

"What is that instrument?" That is an autoharp. It's a very easy-to-play instrument that shows up a lot in folk music, especially from the Appalachian Mountains. Next Stops: John Cougar Mellencamp, "Rain on the Scarecrow" (a more serious side of this artist) Maybelle Carter, "Never on Sunday" (a short autoharp instrumental) Storyville, "What Passes for Love" (Storyville featured John Mellencamp's lead guitarist, and Stevie Ray Vaughan's bassist and drummer)

[@SCVIndy]

Love John’s songs .. really tight band playing really great rock .. suggest ROCK in the USA

[@pennyoverstreet3969]

One of my top 5 songs is by John Cougar "Ain't even done with the night" I promise you'll love it.

[@MorrisB1971]

Used to love this song in high school in fall 1987 That music video just was so Hometown as it gets. He is a national treasure

[@jasonlewis1248]

Another great song from John Cougar Mellencamp to react to is “Authority Song”

[@markspiteriy]

Small town is one of his best. His music is so easy to listen to and great for chilling out.

[@Renkk17]

John Cougar Mellencamp - Pink Houses - Small Town - Hurts so Good - Crumblin Down - Paper and Fire - Authority song - Scarecrow

[@bruceday4036]

Some good old fashioned Midwest music. Love you guys!

[@crzyoldmn]

Give a listen to "Again Tonight" "Authority Song" "Between A Laugh And A Tear" "Rain On The Scarecrow" "Check It Out" "Crumblin' Down" "Dance Naked' "Get A Leg Up" "Hurt So Good" "Jackie Brown" "Paper And Fire" "Justice and Independance" "Down And Out In Paradise" "Key West Intermezzo" "Let It Out All Hang Out" "Lonely Ol' Night" "Pink Houses" 'R.O.C.K. In The USA" "Small Town" "You've Got To Stand For Something" and so many more great songs.

[@georgeglasser8220]

Rain on The Sarecrow,blood on the plow.

[@karenkat1111]

And 'Wild Night"!!

[@crzyoldmn]

Thanks, wrote so much I messed up. I'll fix it.

[@Brainshave01]

All of these!

[@Eric4471066]

Two of my all-time favorite songs by John Mellencamp are Lonely 'Ol Night and his first big hit, I Need A Lover.

[@kylieadkins3108]

I heard this on the radio driving today. I hadn't heard it in quite a while. How funny it was to see this same song on your reaction today. 🤩 I've always liked John Mellencamp!

[@Shrykespeare]

I had to laugh at the thumbnail that said "Cheery Bomb". LOL. How funny that you've done a song called "Cherry Bomb" twice in two weeks. Course, this version is a universe away from The Runaways song. Some other of JCM's songs you should check out are "Hurts So Good", "The Authority Song", R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", and "I Saw You First". Fun fact - this video was partly shot on the beach at Hilton Head, SC. The instrument he's strumming is called an autoharp, and the line you're asking about is "That's when a sport was a sport."

[@l-bird]

🎵 That's when a sport was a sport And groovin' was groovin' And dancin' meant everything We were young, and we were improvin' 🎶

[@siouxzanne64]

An Indiana guy. Cougar was a name his record company wanted him to have. I’ve seen him so many times I can’t even count. Major rabbit hole authority song, I need a lover, r o c k in the USA, crumblin down, lonely o’ night. He’s still hot at 71

[@chuckvt5196]

In his early career, he was known and recorded as John Cougar, and his stuff was a lot more rock! Try things like "Tumblin Down" or "Hurts So Good!" Love your videos and they always make me smile!

[@tigerprayers2824]

"I need a lover" that won't drive me crazy....someone who knows the meaning of Hey Hit the Highway! Sorry, you mentioned JCM, and that song and lyrics were bustin.

[@gypsyrocker]

Oh yeah!! That's a great song!

[@marcgustafson6015]

The Authority Song really moves... You'll LOVE it!

[@timbeatty8411]

The song came out when I was 19 years old having my first kid somehow I could relate to it then and somehow I still relate to it now. Great song great reaction.

[@beckyhudson1201]

I've always loved John Cougar Mellencamp still listen to his music.

[@Captainpigraven]

The line in question is, “That’s when a sport was a sport”, as per the official lyrics. It’s possible he does say “smoke” as so many here claim. Officially released lyrics often don’t match up 100% with the final audio product. But when I first heard this as a kid, I, too heard, “spoke.” The p sound is most definitely there, at least the first time he uses it in the sentence. Mellencamp was one of the original founders of Farm Aid, along with Willie Nelson and Neil Young. I believe the annual music festival is still going strong today, and definitely worth making your way to at some point. It was created to help raise money for farmers, whom, when originally founded in 1985, were really struggling financially. Many farms, especially the smaller ones, were being repossessed by the banks. It’s pretty cool these three musicians took it upon themselves to help out. I’m never not in the mood for a Mellencamp song, especially his more melodic ones. So many folks have already suggested some of his greats. “Pink Houses”, “Small Town”, “Hurt So Good”, “Paper Fire”, “Rain On The Scarecrow”, and “Rock in the U.S.A.” are all excellent. I‘ll go a different route with my suggestion for your next Mellencamp reaction, with the 2001 hit “Peaceful World.” It features female singer, India Arie, with some amazing vocals; the song also sports a great message.

[@jeffmayle6776]

True….sometimes the annunciation of words aren’t clear in a lot of songs. Depending on accents, audio quality, speakers, lost in guitars, drums, bass…??? Unless lyrics come from original material and even then sometimes changed at recording.

[@lillianbuckingham4529]

Always thought it was smoke and assumed it meant that when one said they were going for a smoke, it was cigarettes and not pot. My nephew was asked if he smokes a few weeks ago and I said, cigarettes, not pot which he promptly said eww, no 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[@mitchellbeston1033]

No, you were correct the first time. He sings "That’s when a sport was a sport". Some have just misheard the lyric. I bought this album when it first came out and this is the first time i've ever heard it suggested that he sings "smoke".

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

Story goes he changed the lyric sheet to sport was a sport so it didn’t get the parental advisory warning. But sang smoke was a smoke. Don’t know if true just what a heard once

[@vtsarah5]

One of my favorite shows ever was Mellencamp at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Sitting on the hill watching him perform down on the stage with little kids and parents dancing and eating ice cream in the rain.

[@donnagonatas3155]

Saw him 5 times. Hes so good. A ton of energy on the stage. The girl who plays the violin is incredible!✌❤

[@angelajakem366]

Love him, saw him in concert on tour with his first album!