John Mellencamp: Rain on the Scarecrow (1987)

John Mellencamp wanted to shed light on the plight of American farmers. "Rain on the Scarecrow" recounts the trials and troubles of farmers in the modern era. Decreased profits, foreclosures, and empty farmhouses riddle the country. Mellencamp took his efforts a step further when he helped found the Farm Aid charity. The song reached #21 on the charts. Something like this probably would not sniff the Hot 100 today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y

John Mellencamp: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008 part 1

1976-1989

John Mellencamp was born with spina bifida and should have died. However, a doctor performed experimental surgery saving the infant's life. He married at 18, graduated college in 1974, and played music. A record agent convinced him to change his name to John Cougar for marketing purposes and he released his first album in 1976. It flopped. He released a second album overseas and scored a hit in Australia.

I Need a Lover (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adMXjSithMs

The song was released in the US the next year.

In 1982, he hit it big time with American Fool after building his audience.

Hurts So Good (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dOsbsuhYGQ

Jack & Diane (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI

Success continued with Uh-Huh

He changed his name to John Cougar Mellencamp

Crumblin' Down (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErUiAyVoGc

Pink Houses (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfkpu6749w

Authority Song (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEwK69LXjQ


He cofounded Farm Aid in 1985 to help struggling farmers.
Scarecrow

Lonely Ol' Night (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMkRzWT8mo

Small Town (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc

R.O.C.K. in the USA (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ

Rain on the Scarecrow (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y

The Lonesome Jubilee

Paper in Fire (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myo9wXrNUP4

Cherry Bomb (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0gsbQKhD8

Check it Out (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimNm_PKtYM

Big Daddy

Pop Singer (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLShxXgIK5w