[ ]      [ ]   [ ]
John Mellencamp — Human Wheels
Log in above to post your comment
gjeeg
(Syracuse, New York)
Posted: Mar 25, 2013 - 15:24
 
JCM always knew how to burn.

ScottN
(Condo in Gaza needs remodeling. Still, I Thank TFSM I saw the divot where the landmine was placed.)
Posted: Dec 21, 2012 - 13:06
 
Wonderful song.  But the drummer, and the engineering mix to make that drumming prominent in the song, is a real turn-off.

Rockit
(Ottawa ON)
Posted: Sep 18, 2012 - 07:00
 
I'm not a big Cougar fan,except for the female variety, but I like this one.

kingart
(Brooklyn NY)
Posted: Jul 17, 2012 - 09:04
 
A John Mellencamp song is recognizable. Always the robo drumming. Meh.  He and Arcade Fire ought to go on tour together. 
But I do remember an enjoyable time blasting I Need A Lover Who Won't Drive Me Crazy at ear shattering levels while ripping north on a Minnesota highway in '90. (I was the only car on the road. WHAT speed limit?)  
If I had seen that deer two seconds later I never would have been able to slow and avoid it.  John Cougar Mellencamp improved my reflexes! 
 

Josua
(Cartagena, Spain.)
Posted: Jul 17, 2012 - 09:00
 
 eroz wrote:
Wow. I own this cd and haven't listened to it in years. Bought it because of this song. Thanks for playing!
 



bluematrix
(confluence of mississippi and missouri rivers)
Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 06:40
 
 Stingray wrote:

Not this best CD (certainly his shortest), but a great song.

I am surprised to hear Mellencamp on RP.

GOOD SO!!!

 
Exactly what I was thinking! (Well I was thinking more SO GOOD, but everything else :)

eroz
(Boston)
Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 06:39
 
Wow. I own this cd and haven't listened to it in years. Bought it because of this song. Thanks for playing!

hippiechick
(topsy turvy land)
Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 06:37
 
One of my very first cd's! 

Stingray
(FREE INTERNET)
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 - 15:32
 

Not this best CD (certainly his shortest), but a great song.

I am surprised to hear Mellencamp on RP.

GOOD SO!!!



kcar
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 - 15:27
 
 Darlington wrote:


I agree with the re-evaluation. I think he definitely labored in Springsteen's shadow, since they sort of mined the same subject matter. There were also some "questions" about his "sincerity," or whether or not he was a "serious artist" for lack of a better word. Not sure exactly what I am trying to say here, but it was like Springsteen (who I am a huge fan of) was considered "genuine" in his outlook, belief, advocacy, and Mellencamp was considered more of a lightweight. Anyway, I think that the years have sort of sort of rendered any question about his dedication and the "seriousness" of his music a moot point. And I think some of his music, this CD, The Lonesome Jubilee and to a great extent Scarecrow, have really held up and stood the test of time.
 
Mellencamp even admitted in the last ten years that he was a horrible songwriter and a bit of a clueless hack when he started out. I got this CD from a cutout bin and wound up really liking it, although the lyrics to this song make me wonder whether he was on a speed trip when he wrote them. 

Cynaera
(In a hammock under my own vine and fig tree.)
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 - 13:56
 
This isn't one of my favorite Mellencamp songs (I still think "Minutes to Memories" is some of his best work evah), but I'd ten times rather hear this than "Cherry Bomb" or "Authority Song."

Proclivities
(Carrboro, NC)
Posted: Jul 03, 2011 - 19:31
 
 oldman wrote:
Some parts of this sounds like the Moody Blues to me, always have to look to see who it is.
 
It sounds more like a Neil Diamond song to me, not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

Lakeview
(Great White North)
Posted: Jun 02, 2011 - 04:23
 
 keller1 wrote:


That's not funny, man.
 
I agree. No matter how much you don't like someone or someone's music (or any other art form) there's no reason to physically attack. I'm just surprised that more guns aren't pulled at some of those US venues.

Lakeview
(Great White North)
Posted: Jun 02, 2011 - 04:19
 
Never been my taste and wouldn't miss it if JCM was never played again.

C57BL6
(PB)
Posted: Mar 30, 2011 - 23:25
 
Looks like this set is bound to cover just a little more ground

parrothead
(could be anywhere in the great USA)
Posted: Feb 27, 2011 - 11:52
 
I just got this CD in my collection not too long ago, 18 years late. It is one of his better ones. There are some so-so ones out there by mr. mellen but I like this one......

On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud)
Posted: Jul 20, 2010 - 20:58
 
 DaveInVA wrote:
LOL! That's rich coming from a troll like you. At least most of my song comments are positive and I don't attack people that don't like my kind of music. I've never yet seen you say anything nice to anyone here. Your whole pathetic life is being an ass to strangers so you can get your rocks off getting a rise out of them. Makes you feel like a really big man I bet. I'm sure you don't even care about the music. Must really suck to be you.
 
Time for a nap there, Dave.


isayhoomhom
(Bethel, CT)
Posted: May 18, 2010 - 04:59
 
I'm always surprised to hear this song on RP. Seems like such standard FM radio fare. Ick.

DaveInVA
(In a hovel in effluent Damnville, VA)
Posted: Apr 16, 2010 - 11:11
 
 h8rhater wrote:

You never cease to be a douche.  At least you're consistent.

 
LOL! That's rich coming from a troll like you. At least most of my song comments are positive and I don't attack people that don't like my kind of music. I've never yet seen you say anything nice to anyone here. Your whole pathetic life is being an ass to strangers so you can get your rocks off getting a rise out of them. Makes you feel like a really big man I bet. I'm sure you don't even care about the music. Must really suck to be you.



DaveInVA
(In a hovel in effluent Damnville, VA)
Posted: Apr 16, 2010 - 10:51
 
 keller1 wrote:


That's not funny, man.
 
He was yelling and swearing at the crowd trying to rile them up and apparently someone didn't like it. I think its was bad that someone did that but he was kinda asking for it. He said on a radio interview a couple days later that he'd never play Phoenix again....


coyote620
(Near the river, USA)
Posted: Apr 16, 2010 - 10:38
 
Absolutely love this song.

oldman
(Lost in Northern Virginia)
Posted: Jan 11, 2010 - 19:44
 
Some parts of this sounds like the Moody Blues to me, always have to look to see who it is.

keller1
(In A Gadda Da Vida, Baby)
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:55
 
 DaveInVA wrote:
This is the only John Mellon-Head song I actually like,,,,Was fun seeing someone bean him with a beer bottle at a concert in AZ though :)
 

That's not funny, man.

CamLwalk
(Albany NY)
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:54
 
 DaveInVA wrote:
This is the only John Mellon-Head song I actually like,,,,Was fun seeing someone bean him with a beer bottle at a concert in AZ though :)
 
I don't like Mellonball either.  I had to suffer through a set of his this summer (he was playing with Dylan & Willie Nelson).  Blecch.  I wouldn't throw anything at him though.  And I gotta admit, this song ain't bad.


Bosami
(Deep in the heart of nowhere)
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:53
 
 Darlington wrote:


I agree with the re-evaluation. I think he definitely labored in Springsteen's shadow, since they sort of mined the same subject matter. There were also some "questions" about his "sincerity," or whether or not he was a "serious artist" for lack of a better word. Not sure exactly what I am trying to say here, but it was like Springsteen (who I am a huge fan of) was considered "genuine" in his outlook, belief, advocacy, and Mellencamp was considered more of a lightweight. Anyway, I think that the years have sort of sort of rendered any question about his dedication and the "seriousness" of his music a moot point. And I think some of his music, this CD, The Lonesome Jubilee and to a great extent Scarecrow, have really held up and stood the test of time.
 

I'm with you on this. If I recall correctly, Mellencamp submitted demos of every pop genre/nitch he could manage, until finally one of them stuck. However, I think the dropping of his 'Cougar' stage name was sort of his attempt to shed this image. Whether he actually did or not is subject to debate. This band was pretty good live either way.

WayUpNorth
(Down on the Farm)
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:53
 
 Darlington wrote:
I agree with the re-evaluation. I think he definitely labored in Springsteen's shadow, since they sort of mined the same subject matter. There were also some "questions" about his "sincerity," or whether or not he was a "serious artist" for lack of a better word. Not sure exactly what I am trying to say here, but it was like Springsteen (who I am a huge fan of) was considered "genuine" in his outlook, belief, advocacy, and Mellencamp was considered more of a lightweight. Anyway, I think that the years have sort of sort of rendered any question about his dedication and the "seriousness" of his music a moot point. And I think some of his music, this CD, The Lonesome Jubilee and to a great extent Scarecrow, have really held up and stood the test of time.
I think his good looks and comfort with the camera worked against him - it helped make him famous but kept him from being taken serioiusly.



h8rhater
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:53
 
 DaveInVA wrote:
This is the only John Mellon-Head song I actually like,,,,Was fun seeing someone bean him with a beer bottle at a concert in AZ though :)
 
You never cease to be a douche.  At least you're consistent.


Bosami
(Deep in the heart of nowhere)
Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 10:49
 
 crockydile wrote:

Actually, CCR was the founder of the club. Reference "Classic Rock Stations of the 80's"
 

I can't believe I actually agree with you. Hmmf.

DaveInVA
(In a crumbling Queen Anne mansion in Damnville, VA)
Posted: Oct 09, 2009 - 12:45
 
This is the only John Mellon-Head song I actually like,,,,Was fun seeing someone bean him with a beer bottle at a concert in AZ though :)

handyrae
(Zero Point Field)
Posted: Oct 09, 2009 - 12:45
 
 keller1 wrote:


I think Mellencamp is due for a re—evaluation —- for my money his work is underrated, probably a victim of its own success.
 
I think it's been hard for him to lose the Couger. My husband still calls him John COUGER Mellencamp.


crockydile
(The swamps of Houston)
Posted: Aug 07, 2009 - 11:35
 
 Mugro wrote:
I like Mellencamp, but unfortunately he has just joined my "Oh not again!" club due to the fact that you cannot spin the dial on FM without hearing one of his songs. The Beatles were a founding member of the "Oh not again!" club.
 
Actually, CCR was the founder of the club. Reference "Classic Rock Stations of the 80's"



Darlington
(Columbia, South Carolina)
Posted: May 04, 2009 - 07:40
 
 keller1 wrote:


Interesting —- in the studio Mellencamp uses Kenny Aronoff, who is regarded as one of the best studio players out there.

I think Mellencamp is due for a re—evaluation —- for my money his work is underrated, probably a victim of its own success.
 

I agree with the re-evaluation. I think he definitely labored in Springsteen's shadow, since they sort of mined the same subject matter. There were also some "questions" about his "sincerity," or whether or not he was a "serious artist" for lack of a better word. Not sure exactly what I am trying to say here, but it was like Springsteen (who I am a huge fan of) was considered "genuine" in his outlook, belief, advocacy, and Mellencamp was considered more of a lightweight. Anyway, I think that the years have sort of sort of rendered any question about his dedication and the "seriousness" of his music a moot point. And I think some of his music, this CD, The Lonesome Jubilee and to a great extent Scarecrow, have really held up and stood the test of time.



keller1
(In A Gadda Da Vida, Baby)
Posted: Mar 02, 2009 - 06:43
 
 GolfRomeo wrote:


I have always thought that he needed to find a drummer with more than one stick and one drum ....
 

Interesting —- in the studio Mellencamp uses Kenny Aronoff, who is regarded as one of the best studio players out there.

I think Mellencamp is due for a re—evaluation —- for my money his work is underrated, probably a victim of its own success.

HazzeSwede
(Vinyl Land)
Posted: Mar 02, 2009 - 06:11
 
Just puttin some wheels into this wheel segment,,,       {#Motor}

Mugro
(Lane Village, Red Sox Nation)
Posted: Jan 29, 2009 - 16:17
 
 Mugro wrote:
I like Mellencamp, but unfortunately he has just joined my "Oh not again!" club due to the fact that you cannot spin the dial on FM without hearing one of his songs. The Beatles were a founding member of the "Oh not again!" club. I love the Beatles, but back in the 80s I vowed not to listen to them anymore to give my head a break from them. Now, after awhile of not listening to them, I can appreciate them. I used to love Jack & Diane, Pink Houses, and other songs from him, but I want to throw up if I hear them now.
 

It has been almost five years since I made the above comment, and I am happy to say that John Mellencamp has faded from the heavy rotation on the radio and even here at RP. I can almost start appreciating him again...

whtahtefcuk
(Flagstaff, AZ, USA)
Posted: Oct 26, 2008 - 20:52
 
Bust out the clap synthesizer (sadly I am not hearing the clap machine on this song)... it's the Cougar... Love the Cougar.

lophrequa
(the very edge of the land)
Posted: Apr 20, 2008 - 13:16
 
kcar wrote:
--one of these days I'm gonna shoot my TV.

i'll put the bullets in the gun for you & hold your drink while you do it!
lophrequa
(the very edge of the land)
Posted: Apr 20, 2008 - 13:14
 
blove wrote:
My nickname is wheels so I am enjoying this set, thanks Bill.

Rog, is that you? did you play lax at fla?
earthbased
(Milwaukee, WI USA)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:54
 

mandolin
(...drifting...)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:53
 
...i like the understated delivery of what easily could have been bombastic lyrics...
alanthecowboy
(Lakefield)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:52
 
bluematrix wrote:
obscure and tasty


Obscure?! This song still gets overplayed by the local FM stations, AND it's on JC's greatest hits double CD.

As for 'tasty' I like it better than most of his stuff, so sure.
healyf52
(Lower Manhattan)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:51
 
Nice catchy groove! One of John's better efforts. Love the baritone guitar, gives me shivers.
blove
(Shevegas,WI)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:51
 
My nickname is wheels so I am enjoying this set, thanks Bill.
tjr
(indianapolis)
Posted: Nov 15, 2007 - 06:49
 
bluematrix wrote:
obscure and tasty


agreed!
kcar
Posted: Oct 14, 2007 - 21:59
 
The whole album's pretty good. I picked it up on a whim at a used record store after hearing "My name is Junior" in the background of a "Chicago Hope" show. This song is one of the longer ones with fairly cryptic/prophetic lyrics.

John's early hits were dreck and overplayed--I think he'd agree with that. But he's not a bad musician at all. I wish to God he could do something about that one song of his being beaten to death for a car commercial.

"The dream is still a-live!..." --one of these days I'm gonna shoot my TV.
bluematrix
(confluence of mississippi and missouri rivers)
Posted: Oct 14, 2007 - 21:54
 
obscure and tasty
On_The_Beach
(Vancouver, Canada)
Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 13:09
 
I always saw him as a Springsteen wanna-be, but to be fair, he made some good music, IMO. I have no problem with this song, for instance.
rocco1207
("the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat")
Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 12:19
 
this is the best Mellencamp tune I've ever heard - way better than his "hits"
daft
(Whittier, CA)
Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 12:16
 
tyty
themotion
(acrobatic nonsense)
Posted: Jul 12, 2007 - 14:03
 
i had to double-take when i saw the 'now playing: john mellencamp' ... argh