7/7/2023 0 Comments Lyrics to little pink housesMellencamp, the singer-songwriter struggled to establish an identity, which became one of rock’s most infamous tugs-of-war. His 1982 breakthrough hit “Jack and Diane” helped make Mellencamp a household name – but not by the name those close to him knew him by. Related: “John Mellencamp’s ‘American Fool'” While many were trying to break artistic boundaries in the new medium of video, Mellencamp showed humble images of his small hometown and the idiosyncracies he sang about. The Indiana rocker carried a torch for middle America into the MTV age with lyrics and stories pertaining to life in small-town U.S.A. At a time dominated by synthesizers and excess, there was Mellencamp smoking cigarettes in ripped denim and swinging an acoustic guitar bigger than his torso. Mellencamp was undoubtedly a champion of Americana in the 1980s. Second was Bob Seger which I’m still convinced to this day was a vehicle to mellow his brazen exterior and channel his sentimental side. The first was his premiere musical love above all else, Aerosmith – hometown heroes and rockstar extraordinaire. The majority of his collection consisted of three musical discographies. Half of the time the stereo would be set to the local classic rock station, and the other half would be from his personal CD collection. His garage would often emit the sounds of frustration from his work and the music that helped mask the former. Giving full consideration to the dream of home ownership, I am convinced that we should not lose that dream, but I am equally convinced that we should approach that dream with other notable tenants of the American dream that relate to wise use of the land, wise use of our natural resources, conservation and stewardship, and American craftsmanship.Growing up in rural Massachusetts my father was a welder, mechanic, and most of all a hard worker. While the “American dream” of home ownership has not diminished the “dream home is fast becoming a “pipe dream”. Losing out on the opportunity to build your dream home because of the current financial crises, coupled with the rising cost of energy, health concerns related to certain building materials, and the challenge of balancing cost, comfort, and constructability is equally despairing. Losing part of your home to progress in cases where a new highway is planned or a public project is proposed would certainly be cause for “despair”. Apparently Mellencamp was so struck by the “utter despair” of the man that he wrote the song in tribute. He’s got an interstate running through his front yard“. The inspiration for this song, as I understand it, was a tribute to a black man who owned a pink house and lost part of his front yard when Interstate 465 around Indianapolis was built”…. The meaning of these words has been the subject of much debate, but for me the words suggest a reflection, a lament, and a cautionary note that our dream of a little house to call our own may be negatively impacted by progress. It contains the chorus…” Oh but ain’t that America for you and me, Ain’t that America we’re something to see baby, Ain’t that America, home of the free, Little pink houses for you and me”. One of my favorite Mellencamp songs is Pink Houses-Ain’t that America. He writes about the “American experience” and his lyrics describe the everyday kind of challenges of living in America and being part of the “American fabric”. John Cougar Mellencamp is one of my favorite singer/songwriters.
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