“Small Town’s” arrangement was critical. I knew there was no way I could walk out on stage and sing and play it acoustically. The audience would tune out. We also had to arrange the song in a higher key. Back then, I tended to write songs in a lower key and transpose them to a higher key later so I could belt them out on stage." ~John Mellencamp

I appreciate your respect for a range of musical styles and artists throughout various time periods. You find the admirable of every performance. May all of us be as generous as you are with others. ❤

I talked to his lead guitarist years ago as I noticed this on a few songs. He told me when John is playing electric guitar, he's really Elvis'ing it, meaning he's not really playing. Explained everything.

Mellencamp was to the Midwest what Springsteen was to NJ / NY. His music just felt like home and his lyrics told stories about small town life. Been hooked since Ain't Even Done With the Night...

Hi Fil. I am 80 this month. I love your station. No talent in music other than playing hot cross buns on a piano. I love listening to your analysis of all the musicians. I also enjoy watching you smile. From an old lady, you are adorable. Blessings to you.

John’s songs always tap me on the shoulder and remind me of the wonderful life of growing up in America. Sweet, sweet memories. I think that’s why the US enjoys him so much. He’s singing about things that made us who we are. Thank you so very very much for tapping me on the shoulder!!

My suspicion is he's playing the song as he wrote it, but with the band they've rearranged and reharmonised it and we're not hearing his guitar, as you say it's switched off, so he can play along with what is familiar to his fingers. So we're hearing 2 guitars but seeing 3. A theory anyway.

Small Town was used at the mass funeral we had in our small town after 8 snowmobiler’s died in a avalanche. 💙 John’s concert was THE best sounding concert I have ever attended. And that says a lot!

Hi Fil, you did a great job on this analysis. I saw and heard the same thing you did and it didnt sound right to me either. This is the first time I've seen you look perplexed, but I know you'll get to the bottom of it and figure out what was going on. It only shows how professional you are and that you pay attention to the slightest details in music, especially guitar playing.

I just found this and I like John Mellencamp and he is so honest in his music. I miss his dance moves. Yes a slice of Americana.

My lady is from Indianapolis, Indiana. When we would go to her parent's home to celebrate the Holidays, we would drive from Chicagoland, past the SMALLTOWN home of John Cougar Mellencamp, SEYMOUR, IN. It truly is a "small town," with mostly cornfields, a MC DONALD'S and of course, Jack & Diane's TASTEE FREEZE! 😄

Welcome to the Mellencamp mystery! As a fellow Hoosier (person from Indiana) I have always been in awe of how John can arrange and orchestrate his songs to appear rather simple and yet (as you experience here); upon deeper diving into analysis, we discover the real complexity of his masterful strokes.

Fun to see Fil perplexed by what he’s seeing. Love the freeze frame with the big question mark beside his head, it would make a great thumbnail. I read online that people put the capo on the 4th fret for this song.

Thank you for keeping us so entertained! I’m taking up the violin (because of Mik from ELO )and I’m 62

I'm old enough to have bought his vinyl records back when he was known as John Cougar. I'm glad he was able to reclaim his true name, thank you for bringing back some memories today Fil!

Im from Indiana and John is definately very well known here.Listening to his music on a late summer night outside relaxing was a big memory for me.

As you mention John Mellencamp wrote and recorded 20 top 40 hits like Jack & Diane, Small Town, R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., he captures that small town heartland feel in the United States in his music. Thanks Fil excellent analysis again.

I always wanted to be a songwriter, after listening to this album "scarecrow" I knew what it was supposed to sound like. Inspired me more than any album I ever heard. How to relate and sympathize for the common, hard working people.

Hi Fil. The answer to your "problem" is quite simple. In the video, John's telecaster is merely a prop, as in it's not plugged in or making any amplified sound. I've seen him play the song acoustically and he's starting on a G chord - (which he plays "unusually" with the root note on the 3rd fret low E string with his thumb and his first finger playing the 3rd fret of both the high E and B strings) - then a D major followed by a C add 9. The other chord is a regularly played Am, but he's definitely miming the playing in the video! I hope this is helpful - keep up the good work.

Interesting that I thought he was popular all over the world. His songs make me think about middle America,but still rock and roll. I loved seeing him live. Thanks, Fil for letting me know that not all American bands are known in the UK.😄

Hi Fil, You are right he is very big here in U.S.A. and definitely has a blended style of playing and a distinct vocal sound. I love John Mellancamp and was lucky enough to see him in concert a couple times. His Pink Houses is one of my all time favorite songs! So I did take a look at trying to learn to play Pink Houses as I am relearning guitar. But as I found out somewhere along the way he does put his own unique spin on the chords. So not sure what was going on here but very interesting, especially if it stumped you. He does put on a great show and I love the soulful way he sings his songs. Fun video, and great looking at this performance and song. And leave it to John to be a bit perplexing! But you did a great job and lived up to the challenge! That’s why we love you. Have a great night.. Debbie☮️

You're right Fil. Mellencamp was a major record and performance artis here in the US. He was (and still is ) super major performancer!

I saw John back in the late 80s in what was then called the Hammersmith Odeon. He was absolutely fabulous, definitely one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen. I heard that his first visit to Britain hadn’t been successful, but this one was, and he looked like a man who was really enjoying himself. I don’t know his more recent stuff, but his first few albums are fantastic.

John Mellencamp has always been very popular in Canada as well, and instruments like the fiddle and accordion are used a lot in the music from down east (the Maritime provinces), so perhaps that's why the type of music that he plays (especially that era where those instruments figured prominently) has always been popular with Canadians. I've been a fan since his "John Cougar" days, and "Ain't Even Done With the Night" from 1980 is still my favourite of his songs. I came here from Patreon, so I've already read your explanation of what's going on, and seen the thumbnail, and yet it still didnt prepare me for that moment when that look of sheer confusion crossed your face. I had to put my tea down. 😂

John Mellencamp is one of those artists that could give a masterclass in theory, both on instruments AND on lyric content - truly a rock poet of gargantuan proportions! This is nothing against you, Fil... just that his talent is so great, yet he makes it look so easy! Sometimes, it's just a matter of kicking back and just enjoying it for what it is! Thanks for all you do Fil! 🤘🤘

Definitely a VERY interesting analysis - admire Your attention to detail, FIL!💕 "Pink Houses" by JCM is a favorite of mine.

I enjoyed this. I think it’s a testament to Johns skill that he has you a bit perplexed. Not at all an insult to you as a musician. John Cougar Mellencamp aka John Cougar was hugely popular in my teen years and has a very distinct sound. We love him here in the US.

Fil, I thoroughly enjoyed the "tutorial" I get so much from your analysis. I'm sure if anyone can solve the mystery, you can.

He is an Americana treasure- way more gifted a songwriter than many. Love his being a man of the people ❤❤❤❤❤

Thanks for the analysis... I was kinda shocked ... But after a bit I can see why. He does write a lot about certain core American experience that are idealized by many people. Over here he is also very much a highly respected musician's musician. He's probably close to being royalty in certain circles.

I just love his songs. His voice is so different and way cool!

In June of 1983 I took the train with my friends at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia for an all day concert which included Bryan Adams, The Tubes and Johnny Cougar as he was then known as. The main band was Journey and they came on stage that night. I still have their Tshirt from the show. I remember some parts of the whole day. It was so much fun!

John's music is so much about life in middle America most people who write songs about that are more country music and selling an Idea of what its like than the real thing.his honesty and rock music made for people like him ,I could see why he wasn't that well known in England,but I do know he has fans there.

Saw John at Blossom Music Center, an outdoor venue near Cleveland. Due to a transportation issue they were VERY late and we all had to hang out on the other side of the gate. But we were outdoors and we got to listen the set up,sound checks and about 5 songs all the way through. This was great! They put in a great concert and the audience left happy and dancing to their cars. True American music.

Mellencamp was huge in Australia. Not sure if it was so strong as I grew up in a rural area. Rain On the Scarecrow is my all time favourite and moves me every time I hear it.

This was a very interesting analysis. John Mellencamp had some great songs back in the day. I enjoyed this analysis and admire your determination!

Seymour, Indiana is the small Town he sings of, where John Mellencamp was born. 👍❤

John is a Hoosier legend. Glad to see you do this video. Excellent as usual

Nice job as always!

I saw John in the early 80’s at the peak of his career and he gave an amazing show 👏👏👏great video Fil 🥂

Sorry friend missed a few weeks just helping my Daughter navigate her life choices with this terrible situation & disease....Appreciate your efforts and quality content! Cheers friend to Continued success luv&peace Sean&Family. 🙏🤝✌💛

I live in a small town and John was here twice!

Fil, another very interesting video and analysis. God's blessings to you and your family!

Good review, thank you. :)

I don’t know a thing about music, much less guitars, but you are a consummate professional. I watch you just because I have so much respect for your passion and analysis.

I am from Indiana also....I have always been a fan of John...at times his music inspired me more to learn more about the guitar and your professionally accurate analysis and very rare you are perplexed but otherwise your analysis was spot on... cheers 😊😊

Another great video, Fil. I grew up in a small town outside of Chicago, and moved eventually to a small town in southern Michigan, so, like others here, I've been very familiar with his songs for years (like when he was first known as Johnny Cougar). I just came upon this video as I was scrolling through YT, and stopped with your title, saw it John Mellencamp, and my hope came through that it would Small Town. And I'm impressed as always with your analyses.

I’ve seen quite a few amazing concerts over the years and even by performers I like a bit more than John Mellencamp; whom I like very much. However, by far, the BEST show I EVER saw was John’s show in Mansfield, MA on September 13, 2001…two days after 9/11. The music, energy, the kindness, the patriotism, the love, the camaraderie among every single person in that outdoor venue was nothing like I have ever seen or felt since. We were strangers, yet friends. We sang, danced, cried and celebrated our country together, with John at the helm. Isn’t that what music is supposed to do? He didn’t give 100% that night, he gave 1000%. It was a night I will never forget and forever be grateful that the show still went on. To the best of my recollection, he had been in Canada performing and drove down because flights were grounded. We were all red, white and blue that night, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. We were ONE. It’s sad it took a terrorist attack to bring us together in such a way and even sadder that we couldn’t hang on to that feeling of being ONE. For that one evening and for some time after, we stood UNITED. 20+ years later we sadly and unnecessarily are divided. I can only hope we, and future generations can have that feeling of being ONE again and live united, across the world, permanently. John Mellencamp is a fabulous musician and not only a good American, he’s a great human! So happy that his music has been a part of my life for the last 40 years. He never disappoints, even if he isn’t a good guitarist. He’s a great songwriter.

Excellent Analysis

I absolutely recommend any music lover to see him in concert if you can. I have never been a big fan and his songs were pretty ubiquitous in the 80's. But his live performances are outstanding. He takes them very seriously and has the best musicians who add many layers to his basic-seeming songs. He's a total professional.

John is from the same part of Indiana I spent my early years in. The places in the original video I knew where they were. It will always say home to me.

John had a great guitar sound using different tuning's. He had a really great full sound with his band. Great stuff here!

Great catch Fil.

Great video Phil!

Mellencamp rocked out early on. In fact, on the studio album "Scarecrow" it was a Hammond organ, not a fiddle on Small Town. Check out Lonely Ol' Night on the same album...

John has a great catalog of music. More story style. Always loved his music.

The moment you said he is fairly unknown in England and the UK, I knew it was because his songs are very United States-centric. I would say the same of Bruce Springsteen, but I read he is more popular over there... yes? The folksy sounds are definitely a part of Mellencamp's music... very early North America (from what I can tell by his choice of instruments). I read to the bottom and see you might have figured out the answer to your puzzle. I am so glad because I would not have rested until you did! As always, fantastic, Fil!

Great content as always Fil. Keep 'em coming. Loving the Tee shirt hahahahahahaha.

Great stuff.

John "Cougar" Mellencamp. I saw an interview on YT. He loved listening to the radio in the 60's because there was all kinds of music on it. From the Beatles to Bleus, Rock, Instrumental... R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A 🤘💜

John captures middle America better than anyone in my lifetime. He lives about 150 miles north of me. Lonely Ole Night captures the small town feeling of rural America unbelively well. He "reinvented" himself 3 times to stay relevant yet true to himself. The young Cougar is on display in "Nothing Matters and What If it Did". Then follows the fullblown success of type MTV era. Then Scarecrow and the FarmAid years. 17 has turned 35. I'm surprised we're still livin'.

John Mellencamp makes songs better than they have a right to be. Simple songs that hold to deeper things than their lyrics suggest. Compact and deep like a short John Steinbeck novel.

Hi Fil Lisa Collins grew up in a small town.Just not in a pink house!

I’m a born and raised Texas boy and fell in love with the LEVELLERS in 1993. In the 30 years since then, I’ve met maybe three people who heard of them. But I bet my mates in England know them well!

I love john mellencamp. "Check it Out" us one of my favorite songs

If you're just meeting John Mellencamp now through Fil''s analysis video and want to hear more from him, you can't go wrong by googling his live performance of Check it Out. I saw him do it live in Minneapolis and never forgot it. It would make a great analysis video. The performance is so joyful and John and the band are so connected and present with the crowd

I saw John Cougar Mellancamp twice ,same concert only second time way closer seats! The album LONESOME JUBILEE,is fantastic,you should give it listen.Every song is great and so sing along.Did not realize he is not known in the UK.Thank you for this video.🤘🌎

Love the way you try to wiggle your way through it.

great video Fil ,John has always been kept in the shadows of Springsten , his album Lonesome Jubilee is very country american orientated , but American Fool was sheer Rock , in fact as you pointed out Jack and Diane was a hit with the British music taste , however an artist of huge importance in the States

I remember what you said at last night's LS about this analysis video so I had to watch. I can see why you had to really dissect John's guitar playing regarding whether he played the song's chords that matched up. The late Steve Priest commented in his book that John liked Sweet's song The Sixteens"--"Listen to 'Jack and Diane'. Well done, John! Imitation is the greatest form of flattery." I've always enjoyed John's songs since "Hurt So Good"--there's this catchiness that I can't fully describe. Thanks for this great analysis, Fil! Well done!

Fil: He's miming...

A guy named Larry Crane played guitar on a bunch of his studio albums. Larry wasn't given songwriting credits but I'm pretty sure some of those catchy guitar parts were his contribution and the songs wouldn't be the same without him. Larry does a lot of them in alternate tunings.

This upload reminds me of every hour I spent in my room in front of tiny my record player moving the needle back and back and back trying to figure out some bizzare unattainable chord with not a lick of knowledge about alternate tuning.

I think a lot of the reason he wasn’t as popular in the UK is because his songs are all about living in America. Everyone over the age of 12 could relate to the lyrics. An example would be Pink Houses. Those little pink houses were all over America but I doubt there were any in the UK. Also the lyrics are about small towns and rural life, which I think is quite different in the US versus the UK. Just my opinion though…. I’m certainly no musician ( except when I’m in the car alone with the radio blasting…. Then I’m a rock star 😂😂😂)

This is going to directly contradict what some other people have said, but it never occurred to me that artists like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp would be known outside the United States. To me they are quintessential American rock artists. Good to know that they were known as overseas at all. I think you were right about his guitar being off. Nothing else makes sense to me. And with four guitars it was easy to disguise. Thank you so much for going down these rabbit holes and picking up on these things. None of this would ever have occurred to me. I appreciate so much your depth of knowledge and that you take the time to share these with us. Thank you so much!

Thanks for a look John Cougar Mellencamp. I do love the poetry of the lyrics. Great t-shirt! I've heard of them. They toured Middle Earth for the The Fellowship's greatest hits 😂

my guess why he was not big in England was most of his music was Americana , seeing that country gent made me realize time to dust mine off and show it some love

John Mellencamp never wrote a bad song in my opinion. The making of a John Mellencamp Album "Trouble No More " is a favorite of mine showing inside the studio and his recording process. Favorite quote from the DVD " Put on a clean piece of tape and all your problems will go away, I'm tired of this bullshit. Call me when you're ready". LOL

A very American style and stories of American life. That’s why America loves him.

I absolutely love your channel and your objective observations. One thing that came to mind: Is it it possible that the other guitars are tuned differently? It it is indeed a curious thing. Well done mate, three chords more or less and I, like you am scratching my head.

His Scarecrow album is excellent… and Pink Houses…definitely caters to USA and American nostalgia…funny thing is, there’s another great and famous gentleman from Indiana…Larry Bird aka The Great White Hope of basketball, he took the Boston Celtics to the top of the NBA….I recall watching a tribute of Larry Bird where they played this song whilst showing us amazing footage of Larry’s great moments. I recall John Mellencamp being John Cougar, the song on that album was “I Need a Lover.” Excellent intro….

Good eye Fil. I’m from the same part of Indiana as John and have enjoyed his music since the late 70’s. I’m also a bit of a guitar hack and try to play along with songs but am certainly not nearly the player you are but I do understand the guitar and how it works. I must admit that I’ve not paid close attention to John’s playing in at least a couple of decades and I can clearly see (with a guitar in hand) that something doesn’t add up with what I’m hearing and what I’m seeing John do. Knowing that John was a pretty decent player back when I copied his playing on his songs, I’d have to say that you’ve hit upon a case where we are clearly not hearing John’s guitar in this performance. As others here have stated, his Tele in this performance must be a mere prop and not actually running through an amp. Again, good eye! I never noticed until you pointed it out.

A great video and the discussion of why John Mellencamp has not achieved much popularity in the UK is interesting. I think you know his style of music better and know how to make it more sophisticated. Over in Norway, for example, John Mellencamp has always been very popular together with Bruce Springsteen, mainly because we don't have anything similar ourselves. Similarly with artists such as Neil Young and Tom Petty. All very American (folk rock) in their style and form of expression. Back in the UK and in the 80s, when these artists became big, there were many different styles and bands that mixed in style elements that, for example, John Mellencamp became known for. Big Country, The Waterboys, Dire Straits, Ultravox (strange but true), The The and many others. John Mellencamp didn't stand out in a special way to you and I think this is the reason why he never really became big in the UK. However, I love John Mellencamp and have been a fan ever since the Scarecrow album came out in 1985.

John is buddies with Springsteen now. I went to the UK in 2000. BonJovi was big in London which was a surprise to me. John’s early stuff always reminded me of The Rolling Stones.

JM is one of the great singer-songwriters of his generation. I first saw him live on the Lonesome Jubilee tour way back in 1988... The guy us a star. Great songs about the reality of life in small-town, middle America. Miriam Sturm is great on the fiddle in this performance, but Lisa Germano is back with the band in 2023 and she is an all-time great.

having seen him a few years back (Manchester apollo) There are points of the show where he breaks it down to just one guitar on stage (him alone) then a fiddle player, then an accordian and so on, until the full band is there. By that point, with 2 guitarists, bassist, fiddle, keyboard/accordian and drums, his acoustic becomes superfluous. So even though it's a prop by that point, at different points of the show it is definitely used. but his style is rudimentary. I also saw him in 1991ish (wembly arena), it was one of the best live shows at the time

Two things: John Cougar Mellencamp was all over the airwaves in the 80's 90's in a teeny hear throb way he didn't aspire too. Took a long time to get his name back and integrity restored among you serious or roots musicians. He also did the first Farmaid. He puts his money where his mouth is. Is a family man with brothers and children in his bands. Rooty toot toot where did all those little pink houses go. R O C K I N THE USA. Dylan and Neil Young wouldn't play with just anyone you know. As usual it's the business and fickle popularity that cast a shadow. This artist is a solid gold good man There's got to be a few left in America Legend

I met John Mellencamp in the summer of 1973, might have been 74. He was doing some recording at Sky Blue studios in Sonoma California. He hadn't become anybody but you could tell that he was probably somebody. I remember helping load out his equipment into the back of an old Chevy truck with Indiana plates. He said to Chris Hackney the master of the studio that he was thinking about changing his name to John Cougar. He said he was getting no respect or promotion as John Mellencamp. Chris told him to do whatever he thought he had to do to move his career forward. Well he did and it work. That guy travelled out to California with his musical equipment in the back of an old Chevy truck wrapped in carpets and moving mats. So from very humble beginnings John followed his dream. He was a very sincere guy. The fall of 74 Springsteen showed up to record behind my Appel's back. Bruce was already in bed with Jon Landau. They're both very similar at this point. They're moving from folk rock into rock and roll. John didn't get distribution because he was on smaller labels it wouldn't be until he signed with CBS. He was popular in America because that's where he had distribution. Who pumps your plastic and wear your plastic goes that determined where your music sold. Some labels would just sign bands and sit on them using them as a tax write-off. All the meanwhile promoting the stuff that caught fire.

Paper and Fire is one of my favorite vids.

Just discovered this channel. I know nothing about singing or technical aspects of music so it's been like diving into a new world with its own language which I don't understand, but it is definitely fascinating. I really envy all you people who are initiates in this musical world. I wondered whether Glenn Close has been covered. When I first saw her on the DVD of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall, I was gobsmacked. She was amazing. She sang With One Look and As if We Never Said Goodbye. Also Don McLean singing Vincent which is one of my favorite songs. There's a video uploaded by "Folkman 123" where he's singing it live. All the words are so clear even to the point of pronouncing both s sounds separately in "artist's". Sorry for not being able to comment on this particular video!

Hi Fil, The first JCM album that I bought is called: NOTHIN' MATTERS AND WHAT IF IT DID. To my ears, it is a MASTERPIECE and I highly recommend that you listen to it sometime. I think that JCM being a wildly successful AMERICAN artist, but not a GLOBAL phenomenon, happens quite a bit and it works both ways. For example, in college, I was the ONLY one of my peers that had even HEARD of JON ASTLEY. I had his album, THE COMPLEAT ANGLER and felt that it was BRILLIANT! Oh well, not everyone can, nor wants to be, MICHAEL JACKSON! 🙃

I'm having a giggle here. I can't hope to explain what is puzzling you because it's a mystery to me, too, but it's fun to watch you trying to figure it out.

I drove myself crazy trying to figure out how this was played. I ended up playing it with a capo, on the third fret I think in those days. The first chord is a G shape, not a D. Then a D... But the D is played while lifting the index finger that is on the G string on off, then quickly to the C chord to get that "dah, dah, dee, dah, dee, dah" sound. Then, you walk down the low E string from the 3rd fret, 2nd fret, open Em. Then while in Em, you walk down the high E string the same way. More than likely they don't play it quite the same as they did when it was first recorded.

Fil, Some other GREAT AMERICAN musicians that might not be HUGE in the UK are Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams (Soundstage DVD,) Steve Earle (Soundstage DVD, & Jack White (The White Stripes Under Blackpool Lights DVD) ROCKS1 😎

God I remember when John Mellencamp was Johnny Cougar 😢

Great observation on this video because John is not a great guitar player as much as I love his music. My guess is that he was not even plugged in and was just going through the motions in this performance. Keep up the great work Fil.

John Mellancamp’s music is a particularly Americana that sings to the stories of the American heartland. “Little Pink Houses” is a look at the changing American landscape so I’m not surprised his success was not as spectacular outside America.

Hi Dear Wings of Pegasus...i suggested to have a look at my Italian friend MATTEO MANCUSO...just one word AMAZING ...Thanks

Great video Phil. I just watched a few other videos of John playing this song live and those were correct. I feel he wasn’t even plugged in at this performance. Prob more of a comfort prop.

Mmm never mind I'm sure you will work it out , good video thanks Fill 👍👍✌🤘