Author

I was one of those guys, you know, playing and singing, and there was no reason for me to write a song, because there were so many beautiful songs out. And Bob Dylan was always the ultimate songwriter, and nobody could ever write a song as good as him, and nobody ever has written a song as good as him.

From John Mellencamp

Radio was my friend after 'Jack & Diane' and 'Hurts So Good.'

From John Mellencamp

Music was so important to the culture when I was growing up in the Sixties and Seventies. We just expected that Bob Dylan was going to make a great record, and it was normal. It was like, 'Okay, here's another great record by Bob Dylan; here's another great record by Led Zeppelin.'

From John Mellencamp

Take 'Jack and Diane.' I was so disgusted with people thinking the line 'Hold on to sixteen as long as you can' meant to stay a teenager forever. What I meant was keep doing whatever makes you feel alive.

From John Mellencamp

If I laugh a couple of times a day, I'm doing good. People think it's their God-given right to be happy, and it's just not. It's something you've got to work at. I like to paint the human condition, and the human condition is not smiles and happy people.

From John Mellencamp

People have the right to say what they want to.

From John Mellencamp

When people are afraid, they make emotional decisions.

From John Mellencamp

I just think if the song's good, sing it. I don't care who's doing it. I don't care if it's a country act. I don't care if it's a rock act. If the song's good, sing it.

From John Mellencamp

When politicians use fear, they are playing into the enemy's hand.

From John Mellencamp

All I'm doing is painting. It's my hobby. And that's that.

From John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp

Notable Quotes

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