Jack & Diane
John Mellencamp
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A little ditty 'bout Jack & Diane Two American kids growing up in the heart land Jack he's gonna be a football star Diane debutante in the back seat of Jacky's car Suckin' on chilli dog outside the Tastee Freez Diane sitting on Jacky's lap Got his hands between her knees Jack he says: "Hey, Diane, let's run off behind a shady tree Dribble off those Bobby Brooks Let me do what I please" Saying oh yeah Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone Sayin' oh yeah Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone Now walk on Jack he sits back, collects his thoughts for a moment Scratches his head, and does his best James Dean Well, now then, there, Diane, we ought to run off to the city Diane says: "Baby, you ain't missing nothing" But Jack he says: "Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone" Oh yeah He says: "life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone" Oh, let it rock, let it roll Let the bible belt come and save my soul Holdin' on to sixteen as long as you can Change is coming 'round real soon Make us woman and man Oh yeah, life goes on A little ditty 'bout Jack and Diane Two American kids doin' the best they can
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4 fans
Written by: John Mellencamp
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
Classic Rock Legacy"Jack & Diane" is widely recognized as John Mellencamp's signature song and a cornerstone of 80s classic rock.
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Billboard PerformanceThe song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1982, staying there for four weeks.
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Genre-Bending Hit"Jack & Diane" is a blend of rock and Americana, showcasing Mellencamp's roots and broad appeal.
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Cultural ImpactThe song is a staple of American pop culture, appearing in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.
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Song MeaningIt tells the story of two American teenagers, embodying the nostalgia of growing up in a small town and the uncertainty of entering adulthood.
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Global Popularity"Jack & Diane" also topped the charts in Australia and was a top 30 hit in the UK.
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Record ProductionThe record producer behind "Jack & Diane" is Don Gehman, who also collaborated with Mellencamp on numerous other hits.
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RecognitionIt's recognized as one of the greatest pop songs by publications like Rolling Stone.
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Changes to LyricsIn the early stages, the song was called "Jackie O" and contained a reference to President Kennedy, but the lyrics were altered before release.
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Silver ScreenThe song inspired a movie titled "Jack and Diane" released in 2012, though it has no direct connection to the song's storyline.
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Artist Achievement"Jack & Diane" is by American rock star John Mellencamp, who was known as John Cougar at the time of the song's release. The hit single was a significant milestone in his career, catapulting him to fame.
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Chart SuccessThe song achieved spectacular success in the United States, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks in 1982.
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Album Success"Jack & Diane" is a single from the album "American Fool," which also topped the charts and was the best-selling album in the United States in 1982.
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Genre ClassificationThe song is typically categorized under the genre of heartland rock, a style of rock music characterized by a straightforward musical arrangement and lyrics that reminisce about growing up or living in the American heartland.
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Song InspirationMellencamp drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in a small town for the song. It tells the story of two American teenagers growing up in the heartland — a theme common to many of Mellencamp's songs.
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Song InterpretationThe song is about holding onto your youth as long as you can and the inevitable passage of time.
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Musical CompositionThe song is famous for its unique hand-clapping beat and the catchy guitar riff that plays during the chorus.
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In Popular Culture"Jack & Diane" has been referenced in various television shows and films since its release, including "Family Guy," "The Simpsons," and the film "The Expendables 2."
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Song's LegacyDespite being released over three decades ago, "Jack & Diane" remains among Mellencamp's best-known songs and it continues to receive substantial airplay on classic rock and adult contemporary radio stations.
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AccoladesRolling Stone named "Jack & Diane" as the 12th greatest summer song ever in a list that the magazine compiled in 2013.
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Mellencamp's ReflectionDespite its popularity, Mellencamp has said that "Jack & Diane" was the most difficult song to write out of all his works. He stated that the song was originally more bitter and cynical, but record producer Don Gehman convinced him to re-write it.
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Citation
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