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Rating:
Turning Point Album in John Mellencamp's career, "American Fool" is, in my personal opinion, a work that over the years hasn't aged too well. The reasons should be sought more in its occasionally bloated sound, a product of that easy and commercial rock that dominated American radio in the early eighties, rather than in its individual songs. An album perhaps unhappily produced that, nonetheless, back in 1982, sold millions of copies for Our Artist who, let's not forget, already had a series of light, pleasant records full of good intentions behind him.
That year, two tracks were enough for John Cougar to storm the charts. The clever "Jack And Diane," a delightful piece that you can't help but like, played on breaks dictated by few and well-chosen chords, and the tough "Hurts So Good," a classic rock'n'roll anticipating the Stones-like attitude of the great "Uh-Huh." Alongside these two super hits, John offers two anthological ballads that demonstrate his talent: "Hand To Hold On To," with a stunning guitar solo, and the sweet "Weakest Moments" positioned at the close of the album. "Danger List" holds up well with its catchy refrain, and the commanding "Thundering Hearts" with its unexpected guitar tour de force that dazzled live audiences. The other compositions are more unripe and can be forgotten quite easily. I'm referring to the fragile "China Girl" and the direct "Can You Take It" and "Close Enough." Despite this, "American Fool," Mellencamp's best seller, has the great merit of making his name known, spreading his music, and opening the doors to an artistic career full of satisfactions and successes.
"American Fool" already contains all the elements that will make John Mellencamp a pillar of that "Rock In The U.S.A." that Little Bastard would proudly sing about a few years later in the masterpiece "Scarecrow."
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Hurts So Good (03:42)
When I was a young boy,
Said put away those young boy ways
Now that I'm gettin' older, so much older
I long for those young boy days
With a girl like you.
With a girl like you,
Lord knows there are things we can do, baby,
Just me and you.
Come on and make it, uh
Hurt so good.
Come on baby, make it hurt so good.
Sometimes love don't feel like it should.
You make it hurt so good.
Don't have to be so excitin'
Just tryin' to give myself a little bit of fun, yeah.
You always look so invitin'
You ain't as green as you are young
Hey baby, its you.
Come on, girl, now, its you.
Sink your teeth right through my bones, baby.
Let's see what we can do.
Come on and make it, uh
Hurt so good.
Come on baby, make it hurt so good.
Sometimes love don't feel like it should.
You make it hurt so good.
I ain't talkin' no big deals
I ain't made no plans myself.
I ain't talkin' no high heels
Maybe we could walk around all day long,
Walk around all day long.
Hurt so good.
Come on baby, make it hurt so good.
Sometimes love don't feel like it should.
You make it hurt so good.
Hurt so good. (Come on baby, now)
Come on baby, make it hurt so good.
Sometimes love don't feel like it should.
You make it hurt so good.
Hey, hey
02 Jack & Diane (04:16)
A little ditty about Jack and Diane
Two American kids growin' up in the heartland
Jackie gonna be a football star
Diane's a debutante, backseat of Jackie's car
Suckin' on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freeze
Diane's sittin' on Jackie's lap
He's got his hands between her knees
Jackie say "Hey Diane, let's run off behind the shady trees.
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks slacks, let me do what I please."
And say uh
Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone, they say uh
Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone, they walk on
Jackie sits back collects his thoughts for the moment
Scratches his head and does his best James Dean
Well then there Diane, we oughtta run off to the city
Diane says, "Baby, you ain't missin' nothing."
And Jackie say uh
Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
Oh yeah, they say life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
Gonna let it rock
Let it roll
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
Hold on to sixteen as long as you can
Changes come around real soon
Make us women and men
Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone,
Oh yeah, they say life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
A little ditty about Jack and Diane
Two American kids doin' the best they can
04 Danger List (04:28)
Written by: John Mellencamp and Larry Crane
Office girls, they pass me by.
They don't know my name.
Put me on the danger list,
just too wild to tame.
Take the drinks off of the table.
Throw my guitar out the door.
Set my sights on some new sunrise.
Help my feet to the floor.
CHORUS
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Good boys go to heaven,
good girls say their prayers.
Me, I don't say anything at all.
I hope the Big Man still cares.
Touch my soul with your religion.
Cut my throat with your spite.
Hurt me with your silence, girl.
Stay with me, stay with me, stay with
me tonight.
CHORUS
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Don't go starin' at me.
Makes me feel so insecure.
Talk behind my back if you want to.
I don't hear no more.
Take me to my destination.
Put me on the plane.
Fly me up to heaven, dear Lord.
Take me home again.
CHORUS
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
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