LOVED IT!| FIRST TIME HEARING John Cougar Mellencamp - Small Town REACTION

[@Cindrbell]

No one can ever go wrong with John... Ever!!! Any song, any hit, any performance.... Master.

[@violettompkins206]

Oh yeah! He will always be John Cougar to me.. love his music.. ✌❤🎶 Do his (Ain't even done with the night) I'm from a Small Town too Amber. Arab Alabama.. Roll Tide!! 🐘 🏈

[@seanbaskett5506]

This is my favorite song ever. On the nest album ever. Every single track was a banger. I'm suddenly 4 years old again when this was new. I'm from a small town. And I'll die in a small town. This is the most American song ever written or performed..

[@user-ds7bp8of6u]

Jay I went to school in Munger Minnesota. It's about 15 miles outside Duluth. Not even a stop light just a sign. Finished 6th grade and moved up tp Proctor to go to Jr. high. Then we moved as Dad was in the Service and got a shot at Florida. I'm still here but love my small town start. Thanks we love you and Amber. Keep on rocking.

[@vincentp149]

After graduation a buddy and I drove from CA to KY and back again. This tape was in the cassette player. It was 1985 and it was the soundtrack our drive (along with Rush's Signals). We went through a lot of small towns. Good memories. Strength and support to our Eastern Kentucky "family" in their time of need.

[@paulcwalina7910]

YES! There it is. This has been my favorite song since I first heard it in 1985. His album 'Scarecrow' was released in 1985, the year I graduated college. Most of my friends were high-tailing out of our small towns for bigger cities but I couldn't leave. I loved, and still do, my hometown (Swoyersville, Pennsylvania) and stayed. This song hit me at the exact right time and said just about everything I wanted to say to my friends, myself, and everyone else. Absolutely loved your emotional reaction, Amber. I know how you're feeling. If you want some more 'deep' Mellencamp, his most recent three albums (Plain Spoken, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, and One-Eyed Jack) have plenty for you. "Blue Charlotte " is about (loosely) his grandmother's death and her husband saying goodbye to her. "The Isolation of Mister" is an introspective examination of his life and social/interpersonal failures. "Grandview" is a good rockin tune about pursuing your dream no matter what. Anyway, there is a treasure trove waiting for you in the Mellencamp catalog. He is one of the greatest songwriters of our time.

[@Darrellv99]

Hey Rob Squad, I am from that small town. The one John Mellencamp is from. I grew up there and at the age of 25 I moved to Phoenix AZ. I had been in Phoenix a few years when this song came out and when I saw the video, it made me SSSSSSOOOOO home sick. The first time I watched it, I cried. John really pulls emotions out in me, I guess because of the roots. The video is of Seymour Indiana and even now I have moved back home to the Seymour area, I still love it just as much as the first time it pulled me back to good ole Seymour. Thanks for your reaction to MY small town. Darrell

[@williamcwoodjr8075]

Small town Le Roy NY 78 yrs.. Nothing better!

[@butterflymama0838]

Oh how I love this man's music! I've seen him in concert 4 times. Always entertaining! Great reaction guys!

[@theresatrapp4532]

This album , "Scarecrow" is a masterpiece. A story telling masterpiece that I still listen to this day, almost 40 years later. I swear I still cry at almost every song. And think!!! Start with "Rain on the Scarecrow"....you will cry.

[@davidabbett7011]

Indeed, a true masterpiece

[@TheirFinestHour]

It’s an absolute classic. No bad songs

[@MrBarberGuy]

100% agree.

[@athos1974]

@Wilt Chamberlain is the GOAT 💯 👍

[@alexandervasel6845]

They will love Rain on the scarecrow!!!!

[@rdkLakota]

You guys should definitely do a small town. There are soo many strories we love to share about our towns. Especially in the 60s,70sand 80s. God bless.❤

[@johnw8578]

A great song by John is THE AUTHORITY SONG -- I highly recommend it AND the video.

[@lindamosley922]

I love John Mellencamp, Saw him in 86, Scarecrow Tour. Amazing, I was born and still live in Elizabethton, TN.

[@athos1974]

"Rain on the Scarecrow" is my favorite Mellencamp song. The drums on that song are 🔥.

[@michaelparsons5299]

Seymour, Indiana. He is one of my most favourite singers, songwriters and poets. Wonderful!

[@bolo5584]

I saw John Mellencamp in Vancouver 30 years ago and was the best concert I ever went to.

[@FrancisFry-bf5zk]

Best summer of my life when this album came out . Driving my jeep with my girl and friends driving around Indianapolis great memories

[@alexandervasel6845]

Rain on the scarecrow is such a meaningful song. It will choke you up for sure!

[@janhofschulte6229]

I’m from a small town of less than 200 people in Minnesota called Hammond. I loved growing up in a small town- no stop lights, one bank, 2 bars and 3 churches! I was a paper girl so I knew everyone and they all knew me! ❤️ I now live in a town of 3500 people and it seems big! I love both all the small town people!!

[@robinmcpherson7981]

He puts on the best concerts. All of his songs are great. You can't sit still entire time.

[@bradknight5635]

From Henderson Ky, seen John many times in concert. Truly a man with songs of the people. Puts on a great show.

[@donnadubyak6504]

I've seen John 4 times in concert always puts a great show on. Great American songwriter, sings about everyday things that resonate with all of us. Yes I live in a town of about 100 houses, no stop light.😁

[@emmabauer1906]

Tumblin' Down & To The River are 2 of my faves from him, but he's done so much great music.

[@dougieyou]

Love both and also "When Jesus Left Birmingham".

[@debbieeppsmullins208]

Rural areas rock!!!!! Westville, Florida!!!!! LOVE John and whatever his last name is at any certain time. Grew up listening to him and so many other amazing artist. Great reaction as always.

[@rhondamcdilda6145]

Love Love this song...I am from a small town Gardner IL and all of the people living here are family everyone looks out for everyone.

[@lantose]

I’m from Tulsa and have been a landman in the oil & gas business since 1979 and have certainly been to Love County (Marietta), and almost every small town from there to southern and western Oklahoma. I’ve had so may wonderful experiences with hundreds, maybe a thousand, with rural farmers and small town folks acquiring oil and gas leases. No cell phones or computers, just a typewriter with carbon paper so they would get a copy of their lease. That always to a bit, but it was inevitable that I was offered coffee and pie, or cake. Such a wholesome experience of some of the finest people you will ever meet in Oklahoma! Wouldn’t have traded that job for anything and still doing it!

[@brianfauquher]

just discovered you guys and love it. Grew up in Newburgh Indiana until I was 17yrs old. The best times of my life. 53yrs old now and dream about retiring back home in Newburgh. Hope someday it happends.

[@corinalopez9314]

I'm from a small town called Bernalillo 15min north of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I've lived here for 57years and wouldn't change it for the world . Love your channel keep the good music coming God bless you and your family 💕💕🥰🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@maureencollins5177]

Seymour, IN is about halfway between Indianapolis and Louisville. As others have said I would recommend "Rain on the Scarecrow", about how hard it's been for families to hold on to their farms the last 30-40 years. Mellencamp was a co-founder of Farm-Aid, an annual benefit concert for farming families, along with Willie Nelson and Neil Young. This year's concert is next month in Raleigh, NC.

[@combatveteranusnavy2012]

Saw Mellencamp in 1986 at Madison Square Garden. FANTASIC!!!!

[@fabian4ever69]

He is brilliant! One of my faves by John.

[@carlsargent5500]

Being from and growing up in Indiana in the 80's you always has Mellencamp on the radio. My favorites are Authority Song and Man with No Expression.....

[@garysoutham8746]

I am from a small town up here in Ontario , Canada. Population 5,500. Small town by Melloncamp is a amazing song. Reminds me of my high school days. Great song.

[@stevehamilton8824]

So many great tunes by this amazingly talented guy. "Rain on the Scarecrow, Paper In Fire.

[@markschroer5940]

While I didn't grow up in a small town. My dad did. I treasure the memories of my visits to Bowlengreen Indiana.

[@cherry363]

Wells, Minnesota….. I grew up in this lovely small town of 2,777 people. My graduating class, the class of 1990 from Wells-Easton HS had 44 graduates, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way❤️

[@brucefrancis6222]

Back in the old days the first cassette tape I ever bought was John's "Nothing Matters And What If It Did" I played that cassette all the time as a senior in high school. Went back a few weeks later and bought a 2nd cassette just in case that first tape got damaged. BTW it was the last cassette left on the shelf and when you had to go to a music store to buy music. Wouldn't trade growing up in the 70's-80's for nothing.

[@Dakotaman2003]

An American icon! I was lucky I saw him when he went by John Cougar! He was the opener for Heart in Portland Maine in the early 80's! Two great performing bands to see in the same night!

[@robintackett7039]

Came from a 4 way stop sign town. I am 68 & still have those many friends from Sterling Ohio. Just the best childhood

[@ronstegall2312]

Back in the '80's John Cougar Mellencamp put on an excellent concert! He was such a showman, awesome in concert!!!

[@BillGraper]

Another song for Amber along these lines: "My Hometown" by Bruce Springsteen. Talk about nostalgia! The feel to that song alone will have you longing for your home town!!!

[@MrsSoto-yo5nd]

From Roby, TX. We don't even have a stop light. Just a 4-way stop. Shoutout to small towns.❤

[@lateknightr3038]

this song takes you back and makes you think of all your grade school friends and the fun you had as a kid or teen in your hometown

[@musicloverchiefsfan5410]

Great reaction! I am from a small town in Iowa. They used to say, 'it takes a village to raise a child'. Personally, I wouldn't trade my youth and being raised by the villagers... for any other upbringing! The 'small town' feel of this song reminds me of Alabama's song '40 Hour Week'.

[@bakilacat1]

I can’t think of one bad John cougar Mellencamp song. “Authority song”is awesome as well as “paper and fire”, “rain on the scarecrow”… He is himself!

[@ladysky2883]

Awwwe. That was cute! My Dad was from Oakland IA pop 1200. My Grandparents were from Iriquois, SD pop 650. But John Mellancamp I believe is from Seymour, IL. Still a small town. This was from The Scarecrow which was a great album. It was touched with stardust. But remember he left his small town and realized he needed to stay when he came home from a tour and saw his daughter driving a truck around town not realizing she was old enough. He also a sought after artist with paints and acrylics.

[@TheDivayenta]

You kids are on a fabulous roll. So proud of what you accomplished! ❤️

[@AB2B]

John Cougar Mellencamp is one of those artists who can cross genres without a hitch. Most everyone, regardless of music preferences, know a Mellencamp song, even if they don't know it's John Mellencamp song.

[@davidrobinson3716]

Jay mentioned small towns and sports. the 1980's movie "Hoosiers" is a classic high school basketball film based on a real event. Amber should consider the group Carolina Chocolate Drop's song "I'm a Country Girl" for Female Friday. Rhiannon Giddens is a great singer and musican.

[@lindawhite5006]

I'm from Des Arc, Arkansas. I loved growing up in a small town. All my family lived there, both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Everything was there except jobs!!! My parents moved us to a much larger city and I hated every minute of it. I never moved back because of work, but I visited every chance I got. My 3 daughters loved to go and visit the family. Now, my family has all moved away or died. I no longer visit and I miss it.

[@stevemadrid6522]

Moved from San Jose, CA. to Fabens, Texas. It was a shock, but I wouldn't trade the experience of growing up in a small town among family and friends for anything. My wife grew up in a small town about 9 miles away. We married young, moved to the West Coast, but moved back after many years to be closer to our aging parents. Eventually we had a daughter and while we're not in a small town anymore, per se, we still have our small town values. You can't go home again, but you will always have memories of home.

[@jamesscully529]

Saw Mellencamp a few times back in the 1980s, from the time of Jack and Diane, with increasing bigger audiences. He kind of faded from view with grunge and the 90s music, but always had a core audience, continued to produce good music and toured and continues to this day at age 70. In way, he will always be that punk kid from Indiana.

[@thesavvyboy]

Absolute legend. Every bit the blue collar guy that people perceive Springsteen to be but with more hits and more talent.

[@dougieyou]

Couldn't agree with you more... I have seen both of them and I think John's concerts were better. Wish they continue diggin into his catalogue it's so big. I absolutely love his latter album " No Better Than This" it's killer

[@glennstango5342]

Grew up in the small town of Hightstown NJ, pop. 2500 in 1973-1985....best times of my life growing up in a farm town, Small town ROCKS

[@sandystoner3352]

White Cloud Michigan.. I have lived here 55 years out of my 59. So yeah..this girl is definitely SMALL TOWN!

[@jenniferb7780]

I love small towns. I grew up in Brookville, Pennsylvania population 3,800. This song is so much my life.

[@daveballou90]

Iberia Ohio!! "City" limit sign was painted on both sides!! Lol Airline pilot for 40 years and been EVERYWHERE but what a great place to grow up!! Thank you mom n dad !!

[@kimmycook2698]

Lonely Ole Night, Authority Song...both are fantastic.

[@Loverobloxedits828]

I grew up 1 hr from John's hometown of Seymour indiana and my town was even smaller 300 people tops in my home town john still lives in Seymour today and attends all indiana Hoosier basketball games.

[@pegatheetoo1437]

Thank you for putting in the 'Cougar' in his name. He was John Cougar when he recorded that song so that name should be forever connected to it. He's a great singer from a great era.

[@peterfromgermany2431]

This Song is a Masterpiece. Love it so much!

[@rhondacooney2335]

Small town of a little over 100 people in Nebraska.....love it!!!

[@gregleighton6172]

Love Mellencamp. Seen him in concert 1 time. It was a great show. Did every hit except Cherry Bomb. I'm from the small town of Kearney, MO. Our claim to fame is we are the home of the infamous outlaw Jesse James. Had a population of between 1,600 and 1,700 people when I was a kid. Population is around 10,000 now. I do miss the small town feel we had. Everyone knew each other. The parades, the fireworks shows, the Jesse James festival every year, little league games where you played against all your friends. Fireflies and cicadas everywhere. At dusk when when they came out and you could run around everywhere and feel safe. I take it for granted now but really was a great way to grow up.

[@carolc4272]

Seymour, Indiana is where John Mellencamp is from. Love all of his songs. I grew up in a small town too.

[@loadedorygun]

You can’t beat a song 100% from the heart. All the personal photos and movies, and just the warmth of his memories and strength of his values comes through. Probably why it exploded on mtv when it came out. One of the songs that made that network, and his most enduring hit.

[@dlcalbaugh]

I grew up in Moore, Oklahoma when it was a small town. There was one high school and yes, everyone was cheering for the same team. It was a great place to grow up.

[@itsallgood4093]

I saw him in concert in 1984. I've always loved his music.

[@sedatedape315]

Growing up in Philadelphia this song still hit home for me, and many living in big cities,. Many of our neighborhoods were just like small towns. At least they often felt that way: knowing almost everyone, shopping the same stores, sports at schools and the neighborhood league, one church, and only 2 stop lights for the longest time! John is one of those great musicians that deserves more air time on the "classic rock" stations. All his music has the personal touch, something in all of them that everyone can relate to. One of you guy's BEST reactions!!!

[@d2d2d28]

That’ll right, Philly is a city made up of “neighborhoods” and you always defined yourself by saying which one you were from.

[@sedatedape315]

@@d2d2d28 Parkwood Manor, Greater Far Northeast presented here! 😁 That's where I grew up, served our country, and returned home to. I'm now living it up in central Florida and sweating my ass off...but loving it!

[@timothyomalley9202]

I think this is my Favorite John MELLENCAMP song, as usual just great Vibe, whenever down just throw on Mellencamp, boosts you up, Dude was crazy talented song writer

[@craigcarlisle281]

I'm a big Mellencamp fan (I'm from Indiana, too) and... you guys are freaking amazing. Love all your videos. You guys are pure light.

[@tobiassabot5851]

One of my favorite songs. My small town was Clermont Fl. It's not so small anymore, more like an extension of Orlando FL These days. But when I was growing up it was all kids on bikes riding downtown to get cold drinks from the pop machine at the pharmacy. He really hits the nerve with this song. For your next John Cougar Mellencamp song I highly suggest "Paper in Fire." It's a banger and I can never quite figure out whether it's rock, blues or country. It has a great variety of cool instruments in it.

[@42Jogan]

I am from a small town - Webberville, Michigan - 1 stoplight, less than 2000 people. I love seeing Amber react and get emotional.

[@joeturner7604]

Yes, small towns are great. I grew up mostly in towns in Oregon of decent size, then we moved to Southern Idaho for my High School years. It was fantastic! Loved it so much. The people were great and I made lifelong friends there. It was the time of my life up to that point.

[@raymondking1793]

When MTV came to my town on TV on 1980 John Cougar first video was Little Pink Houses and John bought the house he grew up in in indiana and they had a contest on MTV and gave the House Away . Of course it was painted Pink and completely remodeled

[@brandoneldridge7931]

A lot of us from small towns are proud to be from small towns. I grew up in a small town about 35 minutes north of John Mellencamp’s small town. He’s a big deal here in Indiana, and most of us are proud to be from small towns scattered throughout the Hoosier state!

[@michaeldavis5610]

Seen him in Philly about the time this was popular.He told this long story about looking forward to his 5 year class reunion and seeing his old sweetheart to tell her he wrote a song ( uh huh ) about her and play it for her.As he was playing it for her she just kept talking about her children. He ended by saying "I hope y'all like it better than she did,lol.He was really down to earth.Thanks for doing this one, and have a great day.

[@sherigrow6480]

My 'small town' was Sacramento in the 60's, but we lived on the edges with fields, levees, irrigation ditches, snakes, frogs, crawdads, and jackrabbits. We rode to the Sprouse-Reitz on our bikes to spend our allowance. God bless,

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

BETWEEN A LAUGH AND A TEAR.

[@andrewhope3525]

I grew up in the small, blue-collar town of Holt, Michigan, just south of Lansing. Many of the men worked in the auto factories in Lansing, or in the construction trades like my dad. He was a painter. (A painter of buildings, not an artist.) I find John Mellencamp's songs very relatable.

[@rickm8443]

I grew up in a small city but my mom grew up in a small town so I did experience it when we went to visit my grandparents. Always a place in my heart for the small town. Amber, I totally love your emotions. You make me shed a tear or two.

[@billgiesbrecht59]

This song as well as "Little Pink Houses" have always made me to be from a small town. He is so good in concert. A must.

[@joewilhelm8975]

I was born in Batesville Indiana and grew up in Oldenburg Indiana, about an hour away from Seymour Indiana. Batesville is the home of the world's largest manufacturer of hospital beds and caskets. Oldenburg is known as The Village of Spires. These are named for the spires on the 2 churches and convent in town. The third week in July Oldenburg has a festival called The Freudenfest, which is the biggest little German festival in Indiana. It is a great celebration of Oldenburgs German heritage with German music, craft beers, food and other activities.

[@larryhill4975]

This is my favorite song by John Cougar Mellencamp

[@vovindequasahi]

I love this song... Brings me back!

[@warrenk5101]

Still one of the best live concerts I have ever attended, and I have seen most of the top acts the world has to offer. He hit the lights in the arena and made everyone stand and dance for almost the entire show. It turned into a massive dance concert. I was a headbanger at the time, huge Crue fan in my teens, but I was dancing that entire night and walked away a huge JCM fan after.

[@kimwilkins1500]

PK (Preacher’s Kid) here so grew up in many small towns in Wild Wonderful West Virginia and the better person for it, it has made me the person I am today. We retired 2 years ago, sold our house and are now full time RVers and enjoying seeing these great United States! We are living a BLESSED lifestyle and do not take it for granted! Stay blessed and keep bringing the love! Love you guys! ❤️

[@tommack9395]

Truth of a small town, you learn to be dyi, knowledgeable, dependable, independent, yet sociable and kind hearted - loving, due you know everyone around you - Salt of the earth. I've often told my children I've never had so many friends or knew the names of so many people than when I was growing up...I've lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1985... but I was born and grew up in Shenandoah Pa. a small town of about 8,000 people at the time.

[@jackiesconiers4230]

Ya'll are so cute! Love listening to great music with you! Smiling from ear to ear!

[@rbb9753]

I was brought up in his home town, Seymour Indiana. I used to joke that I came from a one horse town and there were two butchers fighting over him.

[@mikemiller3069]

I grew up on a farm near Cannon Falls, MN which, at that time had a population of 2072. Most of my classmates went from kindergarten through high school together. And, although I've lived in the city for 38 years, I'm going canoeing this Sunday with my best friend from school. We've been friends for 52 years. This will be our 2nd canoe trip of the summer. 🛶🙂

[@SIXX2772]

I always LOVED Mellencamp!!!

[@clintjo2377]

This song Is millions of us here In USA ! 😁 Me to !

[@tomyoung9049]

From what I call a small city (about 100k people) but still some of that small town feel. Definitely when I was growing up. And surrounded by absolutely small towns. One traffic light or just a four way stop in the middle of their town. He has some great written songs and always performs them so well.

[@sodone4078]

Why hasn't more people done John Cougar Mellencamp reactions? So many great songs to choose from. I'm from a very small town too and I'm missing my hometown too. My goal is to get back to Liberty Ky, my small town!!

[@jenwinslow5602]

Yorktown, Indiana. Played with all the kids in the area. Empty lot across the street was our playground. Baseball games, kickball, frisbee, we all had basketball goals. I’m in LA now. Sometimes miss my little town but it’s not me anymore. Being a queer kid was rough in the 70s and 80s but it was just a bunch of words. No physical altercations. Got to meet John. Super nice. Went to school with the keyboardist’s son.

[@TotallyTVNATION]

I'm from Philadelphia but we recently bought a house in Kearny,AZ a town with less than 2k people in the Arizona mountains. I thought I'd miss the city, or even PHOENIX, but honestly man two years in and we absolutely love the small town vibe. Less traffic, less drama, less crime, more family values, more neighbors helping neighbors, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and I now have 5 goats! LOL

[@kaymad]

Moved to a small town 4th grade, into the funeral home my dad bought. Nothing more small town then learning about the etiquette of living in a small town funeral home!

[@genamayhew1961]

I'm from a big military city near Fort Bragg in NC but my mom grew up around Concord, NC & my dad's family was from Mooresville, NC where my relatives built their town near the Big Lake there. Now they've taken the streets & roads that were named after family have been replaced with richer families that claimed history that isn't theirs to claim. God bless everyone & especially the ignorant, they need our pity & blessings to get better. My parents loved growing up in these small towns, they say it really did take a village to raise everyone's children back then. 😳😻😍🙏🚦🛻🚜💚

[@waynethompson4315]

I’m small town. This song always makes me think of my childhood.

[@jakeaurod]

I'm from Oregon, a small town on the scenic Rock River in northern Illinois that's famous for a couple different things. There was an artists colony that produced a sculpture called the Eternal Indian that is commonly known as Chief Black Hawk, who lived and fought a war in the region. Stronghold Castle was built here about 100 years ago by the owner of a paper in Chicago, and some claim it was inspired by the Hearst castle San Simeon, CA built by William Randolph Heart. In an unrelated note, a small hamlet a few miles down the river, Grand Detour, was a temporary childhood home for Orson Welles, who produced, directed, and starred in the film _Citizen Kane_ , which is widely considered to be inspired by the life of William Randolph Hearst (and also widely considered to be the best film ever made). In some ways, this town is the perfect blend of art, agriculture, and industry. Of course, it was always a boundary zone since it was on the edge of the last glaciation and shares features from the Driftless Zone to the northwest and the glacial topography to the east.