Hurts so good: The definitive John Mellencamp playlist

Arguably the most upbeat song on the otherwise realistically depressing but undisputedly superb Scarecrow album. It also turned out to be one of the most successful songs of Mellencamp's career, reaching No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100. Mellencamp has never been shy about citing his musical influences, and it's on full display here as he pays homage to various aspects of pop-rock during the 1960s. A formative decade in terms of Mellencamp's musical education.

The most recent commercially successful single (reaching No 14 on the Billboard Hot 100) from Mellencamp, the song is another in a significant list of writing collaborations with his longtime friend George Green. From Mellencamp's Mr. Happy Go Lucky album, "Key West Intermezzo" is solid enough to be included on this list — from a 1990s' pop-rock standpoint. However, true fans of the artist can question the song's depth.

From the album Cuttin' Heads. Mellencamp teamed with fellow Grammy Award-winner India.Arie for this track, which also was nominated for a Grammy. In an interview with the Denver Post, Mellencamp stated the song grew from conversations and observations about how the African American race was portrayed in popular music, most notably in rap music. And how it was likely glorified by suburban white kids for all the wrong reasons. From there, the song blossomed into another worthy Mellencamp piece about race and overall social injustices. 

There's certainly a modern-day, gospel-like feel to this Human Wheels opener. According to Mellencamp, the song is kind of a crack on overzealous debauchery that he witnessed from people his age. Add in some catchy, soulful hooks, and "When Jesus Left Birmingham" is one of the more unique and creative tracks in Mellencamp's catalog. Not to mention, it includes some spruced-up lyrics from one of his most popular songs (which we'll get to later). 

Nostalgia runs deep on the second single from The Lonesome Jubilee. According to John Cougar Mellencamp (his stage name at the time), the song is about his teenage years, growing up, hanging out, and starting to feel inspiration from the music he was consuming. The song, which made it up to No. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100, also features vocals from regular Mellencamp background singer Crystal Taliefero. 

By the early 1990s, Mellencamp was somewhat at a crossroads with his music. During the last half of the 1980s, his sound was branded as "heartland rock," featuring the ups and downs, happiness, and hardships of middle America. On 1991's Whenever We Wanted, he got back to a more straight-forward rock and roll attitude, which excited fans during the early 1990s. "Get a Leg Up" is a proper example of Mellencamp's turn-back-the-clock musical approach on the album, and it climbed to No 14 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Another notable moment from Whenever We Wanted, "Now More Than Ever" does conjure up memories of that early Mellencamp optimism. Second chances, not too late to pursue your dreams and we might still all be able to get along, it seems to be there with the belief that anything is still achievable in America. The track reached No. 3 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart and featured a cute music video. 

The middle of the 1990s was approaching, Mellencamp was in his early 40s, still a musical force, and truly capable of rocking harder than ever. "What If I Came Knocking," arguably the gem of the Human Wheels album is a perfect example of that. It made it all the way to the top of Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart. It also added to the overall greatness of an album that, while successful (No. 7 on the Billboard 200), still doesn't get the full credit it deserves.

"Again Tonight" was one of two tracks from Whenever We Wanted to crack the top 40, "Get A Leg Up" being the other. There's a certain Springsteen vibe to the track, which has its rollicking moments, and feel-good tendencies that create a fun musical atmosphere. In general, Whenever We Wanted is an optimistic album. It's OK to celebrate the good times even if there are plenty of down occasions, a notion "Again Tonight seems to deliver.

One aspect of Mellencamp's success over the years that can't be understated is just how good his backing band has been. Larry Crane was his guitarist throughout the 1980s, playing on all the popular hits, and certainly didn't get enough credit — nor did rhythm guitarist Mike Wanchic. One of the few official writing credits Crane received came on this Uh-Huh gem, about what it really takes to be a rock star. Like the rest of the album, Mellencamp, with help from Crane and Wanchic's stellar guitar work, delivered the raw, straight-to-the-gut rock and roll that inspired him from the beginning.

American Fool, Mellencamp's fifth studio release while still under the John Cougar moniker, delivered this budding star his breakthrough album. The foundation had been laid on previous albums, but the first three songs alone helped American Fool sit atop the Billboard 200 for nine weeks. "Hand to Hold On To" is both the album's third track and single. It's just a solid 1980s pop-rock tune, with a smidge of the blues for good measure, that also continues to showcase Mellencamp's maturing as a lyricist. 

Mellencamp and George Green come through big-time with this Uh-Huh opener, which was also another top-10 hit (reaching No. 9 on Billboard's Hot 100). Mellencamp grouses about life after achieving stardom, where seemingly there will be the inevitable downfall. The hard-changing rocker also features some of Kenny Aronoff's tightest and best drumming, which says plenty because he might be the best drummer casual rock fans don't appreciate.

The third single from The Lonesome Jubilee, "Check It Out" is another highlight from the album as well as a longtime live favorite. Perhaps life was going by too fast for John at the time. He forgot what was important — like family, friends and taking time beyond work, which had consumed the singer by this point after a string of successful albums and dealing with his status among rock's elite. Of course, that all made for another hit single and smash album.

Continuing with both the blistering heartland rock sound and stellar musicianship from Uh-Huh, Mellencamp and his group come out musically swinging on "Authority Song." At least that's how the music video interprets the idea of challenging authority — no matter how old — seems like a lost cause. So, eventually, it's time to grow up and get serious about life. It mirrored Mellencamp's own personal and professional life.

According to Rolling Stone, the concept of "Pink Houses" came when Mellencamp was driving from Indianapolis to Bloomington, Ind., and saw an older Black gentlemen outside his pink house. He waved, not minding the constant car traffic going by on Interstate 65. From there, "Pink Houses" was born. Mellencamp also told the music magazine: "It's really an anti-American song. The American dream had pretty much proven itself as not working anymore. It was another way for me to sneak something in." It also became favorite of campaigning politicians, though perhaps for reasons unassociated with the true meaning of the tune. Regardless the meaning, "Pink Houses" remains one of Mellencamp's most recognizable songs, reaching No. 8 on the Hot 100.

As Mellencamp progressed as a songwriter and rather important musical voice for the working class citizen of middle America, he raised more social and socio-economic issues in his songs. From Scarecrow to The Lonesome Jubilee to Big Daddy, which included this underrated track. "Jackie Brown" touches on poverty and economic hardship, and the problems that remain a challenge for the U.S. government to solve. 

The lead single from the five-time Platinum-certified Scarecrow album, "Lonely Ol' Night" topped out at No. 6 on the Hot 100. It chronicles a rather typical night for a couple in rural America, at least from Mellencamp's point of view, that are perhaps at a crossroads when it comes to where their lives are headed. The tune certainly fit in with the Mellencamp's view of the faded American dream that was prominent on the album. But it remains one of his more celebrated "rockers."

A criminally underrated moment from Scarecrow. One of the more up-tempo tunes from the record, "Rumbleseat" chronicles the life of our protagonist, who is stuck in a small town — seemingly of his own doing — and struggling with self-esteem issues. There's plenty of self-pity to go around, until he finally sees the light and decides to do something about it and chase any remaining dreams he still has left. It's a shame "Rumbleseat" didn't get more commercial love back in the day. 

One of the more unheralded moments from Scarecrow, and somewhat of a musical journey throughout the state of Indiana (we're partial to "The Region" nod). A young man strikes up a conversation on a Greyhound bus with a weathered, perhaps jaded, older gentlemen who speaks of his life experiences as an everyman doing what it takes to survive. That wisdom is passed on to the younger man, who is trying to make a life of his own. This might be the most spirited effort from Scarecrow. There's plenty of unbridled passion in Mellancamp's lyrics and rousing vocals.

Ever a champion of the American farmer. On this Scarecrow opener, Mellencamp sings about the plight of a struggling farmer and how one's livelihood can be destroyed if there's a particularly bad year. Further, what happens when the government or banks shun those farmer looking for help. It's one of Mellencamp's most notable message songs: brutally honest while bringing attention to a profession that's often taken for granted by a majority of the American population — including those making policy and financial decisions.

Though "Cherry Bomb" and "Check It Out" might be the first songs that come to mind when The Lonesome Jubilee is brought up, musically and passionately, "Paper in Fire" is the shining moment of the record. The album opener, "Paper in Fire" arose from some biblical inspiration, or at least that's what Mellencamp told the United Press International (UPI) news wire back at the time of its release. The song, which hit No. 9 on the Hot 100, also showcases talented fiddler Lisa Germano.

Mellencamp's first top-40 single in the United States (No. 28 on the Hot 100) was actually released off his A Biography album (then known as Johnny Cougar), which was not released in America. The song gained its U.S. popularity one year later, when his John Cougar record was put out. Over the years, "I Need  a Lover" has been a classic rock staple. One of the more polished, yet still dirty tracks from Mellencamp's early days, it's reportedly about one of his buddies longing for a girlfriend.

One of Mellencamp's signature songs, which also is responsible for his only Grammy victory to date. It was his first hit off American Fool, reaching No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100. American radio immediately fell in love with the song, which still had the raw, gritty pop-rock sound that drew attention to Mellencamp, but only more polished and accessible to the mainstream. It's also another writing collaboration between Mellencamp and George Green. 

Simply put, this Scarecrow classic is John Mellencamp's musical autobiography of growing up and living in the Bloomington, Ind., area (he was more in Seymour), which is well showcased in the track's video. Mellencamp has stated over the years that the song is about being fulfilled through small-town living and that good times can be had just about anywhere. The tune reached No. 6 on Billboard's Hot 100. 

It's one thing to write a great rock song. It's another to release one that can be described as iconic. "Jack and Diane," the highlight of American Fool and a No. 1 smash for Mellencamp, is undeniably both. Between AM-FM Top 40 radio and MTV in 1982-83, music fans likely couldn't go more than a half-hour between hearing this classic about those "two American kids done the best they can." From its famed guitar riff to the well-time hand claps, "Jack and Diane" is arguably the defining moment on John Cougar Mellencamp's legacy.