Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. Walk Tall
2. Pink Houses
3. Lonely Ol' Night
4. Jackie Brown
5. Rain on the Scarecrow
6. Love and Happiness
7. Check It Out
8. Peaceful World
9. Paper in Fire
10. Your Life Is Now
11. Human Wheels
12. When Jesus Left Birmingham
13. Authority Song
14. What If I Came Knocking
15. Crumblin' Down
16. Small Town
17. R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.
18. Cherry Bomb
19. Pop Singer
DISC 2:
1. Thank You
2. Martha Say
3. Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)
4. Hand to Hold on To
5. I Need a Lover
6. Hurts So Good
7. Get a Leg Up
8. Wild Night
9. Dance Naked
10. Teardrops Will Fall
11. Ain't Even Done With the Night
12. Just Another Day
13. Jack & Diane
14. Rumble Seat
15. I'm Not Running Anymore
16. Again Tonight
17. This Time
18. Now More Than Ever
| Details | | Producer: | Don Gehman, John Mellencamp, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Little Bastard, Malcolm Burn | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Personnel: John Mellencamp (vocals, guitar); Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Mike Wanchic (guitar, background vocals); Larry Crane , Andy York (guitar); Miriam Sturm (violin); John Cascella (accordion); Nancy Arnold (oboe); Michael Ramos (organ); Jay Ferguson (keyboards); Reggie Hamilton, Willie Weeks (bass instrument); Kenny Aronoff (drums, percussion); Ricky Lawson (drums); Toby Myers, Carroll Sue Hill (background vocals).
Liner Note Author: Jann Wenner.
Over the course of nearly 30 years, more than 15 albums, four name changes, and one near-death experience, John Mellencamp forged a widely imitated sound that established the blueprint for the musical sub-genre commonly referred to as "Heartland Rock." The Indiana native made a name for himself by combining a powerful, Stones-like guitar attack with a country twang, along with rhythms informed by tough, blue-eyed soul and a lean lyrical style dotted with striking Steinbeck-esque rural imagery.
Remarkably enough, Mellencamp pulled the unusual trick of becoming a genuine pop superstar while maintaining a regular-guy image. Close listening to any of the tracks on WORDS & MUSIC, however, reveals Mellencamp's secret--he really is a regular guy. Tunes such as the defiant "Authority Song" and the gentle "Hand to Hold On To" are sung without a trace of irony, which is a big part of his music's appeal. Another thing that separates Mellencamp from his contemporaries is his willingness to tinker with his signature sound. The man who made the accordion cool in rock again raps on "Peaceful World," and, on 2004's "Walk Tall," even employs the services of R&B producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds--not too bad for an ordinary guy.
Editorial Reviews
4 stars out of 5 - [M]ore than just an impressive retrospective from the bard of Belmont, Indiana....[features] a cherry-picked selection of lesser-known gems...
Rolling Stone
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