- Our Country / Jack & Diane / My Aeroplane - EP · 1982
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- The Best That I Could Do: 1978-1988 · 1997
- John Cougar (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1979
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- Nothin' Matters and What If It Did (Bonus Track Edition) [2005 Remaster] · 1980
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- John Cougar (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1979
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
- Nothin' Matters and What If It Did (Bonus Track Edition) [2005 Remaster] · 1980
- American Fool (Bonus Track) [2005 Remaster] · 1982
Essential Albums
- Though credited to John Cougar, 1982’s American Fool marks the moment when John Mellencamp began to assert his true identity as an artist. This is a scrappy version of classic rock ‘n’ roll, built around storytelling lyrics and guitar-centered tunes that harkened back to Dylan and the Stones. The playful “Hurts So Good” became the album’s first hit, but it was the small-town-romance theme of “Jack & Diane” that truly defined the album’s sensibility. Mellencamp’s raspy, Indiana-accented vocals breathe life into his tales of Middle American dreams, ambition and heartache. Tracks like “Hand to Hold Onto” and “Can You Take It” offer plenty of radio-friendly punch and attitude. Going deeper, “Weakest Moments” is indicative of the working-class balladry that would turn up on later albums. The album’s title cut — added to the remastered version of the album — is a good-natured declaration of independence. More than anything, it’s this sense of personal freedom that makes American Fool such a fun listen — for the first time, John is taking off his Cougar disguise and getting real.
Music Videos
- 1989
- 1982
- 1982
- 1982
Artist Playlists
- His songs defy you to ignore them.
- Rock, folk, and alt-country acts have all made Mellencamp moves.
- Garage rock, folk, and more lie at the heartland rocker's core.
- Funk, folk, and more have inspired his all-American sound.
About John Cougar
- HOMETOWN
- Seymour, IN, United States
- BORN
- October 7, 1951
- GENRE
- Rock