John Mellencamp Moved to Write
He's always been one to wear his political heart on his sleeve. And this election certainly brought out the contemplative scribe in John Mellencamp. As he reflects on Barack Obama's recent win, he considers that Obama himself is a bit of a poet. And as he looks back on chaos of the 1960s and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., he admits that "even I, who have written countless songs about race, could not believe that a man of color could be president of the United States." He ends his virtual soliloquy by saying he is proud of America, that all men are created equal and that we can rejoice in the fact that someone is speaking for us all. I'm sure a song about it will follow shortly.
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Shotgun says:
What do you expect Rick?
The author of this blog forgets that culture is religion externalized, and music is a summary statement of a generation.
Nothing about Mellencamp’s statements here represent me, or my culture. I don’t suspect Alison would know that though, given that she lives in Chicago.
It’s ok though, as long as we can “paint” Country Music into a portrait of something other than what it is, right Alison?
Kim says:
I don’t really care what John’s politics are, he can do what he wants to, I respect that. And I will, just as long as he doesn’t bash the other side. That’s not right.
Shotgun says:
Fair enough Kim.
My “gripe” here is that, the politics of John, (or of the author of this blog) do not represent me, or my culture. In fact, we have absolutely nothing in common.
How can I enjoy a song written by John about something like this, when the lyrics would run completely counter to, (and be hostile to) a creative expression of my own culture?
neanea says:
People always look to deep about things, if you read the blog that john has said that He remember the time in the sixties and now today we have a black president. AMERICA has came a long way. He says that OBAMA is a bit of POET..
People only read and interpt what they want.
Shotgun says:
Have you remained immune to this obscured “reading” of the text Neanea? Or are you the only objective observer?
I would like to clarify, that I really love many of John’s songs…and I also (at least) can appreciate much of Obama’s sympathies…
That said, what do either men have to say about MY culture?
Not much.
neanea says:
I’m just a observer, I don’t know what your race is and It doesn’t bother me. All I know is that what mellencamp is trying to say is that the sixties are over and people need to realize that Black and White, young and old united together in the voted for the future president. Now maybe we as americans can find something else to grip about.
neanea says:
Love One Another People
Ms. Feathers says:
Obama doesn’t speak for me either. He has a long way to go to show me that his presidency will benefit our nation.
As for “The Artist Formerly Known As Cougar”, if he wants to write a song about the “audacity of hope” or “change we can believe in”, go right ahead. But, as Kim said, he won’t win friends and influence people if what he writes bashes the other side. He’ll only be preaching to the choir.
neanea says:
so don’t listen to his songs if it bothers u so much, We Still have freeom of speech. Sorry but it will take some time to see a change since the soon to be former president has messed things up so bad. As for Cougar he’s not specking for anyone but him self
Shotgun says:
Neanea, I agree with you…we should all just love each other.
That doesn’t change the fact that CMT is waging a campaign to systematically eradicate everything distinctive from my culture.
Ms. Feathers…I LOVE the name! HAhaha! I agree with you!
Ms. Feathers says:
I actually like his music - he was very popular when I was in school - “Ain’t Even Done With the Night”, “Hurts So Good”, “Jack and Diane”, “Pink Houses”…. Great stuff. Also, he’s a very established artist and if he never made another record, he’d never go hungry. So if he decides to write a bunch of songs in praise of Obama, it wouldn’t be a career-ender.
Kim says:
neanea, yeah we still have freedom of speech. That includes people that disagree. we have every right to be against something as much as the people who are for something. there was no reason to insinuate that John’s politics “bothered” the opposers on principle. But people do have a right to be bothered on principle by being insulted for their political stance. We were pulling for John to have some respect, or hell, just some maturity regarding the other side. That’s all. They don’t knock him, he doesn’t knock them. respectful disagreement is all anyone was asking.