Saturday, October 7, 2023

John Mellencamp's Top 100 Songs

John Mellencamp

Top 100 Songs

America’s premiere heartland rocker was born on October 7, 1951. With his version of straightforward heartland rock and roll in the same vein as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, he catapulted to stardom in 1982 with his #1 album, American Fool, which sported “Hurts So Good” (#2) and “Jack and Diane” (#1). His 1985 album, Scarecrow, was an even bigger seller with top ten hits “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “Small Town,” and “Lonely Ol’ Night.”

By the 1990s, his hit-making days had waned and he arguably had a bit of a creative lull as well. However, in the 21st century he has roared back with a Woody Guthrie, Americana-style sound.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcasts John Mellencamp: The Best of, 1976-2001 and John Mellencamp: The 21st Century Woody Guthrie (2003-2023) based on this list.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Jack and Diane (1982)

DMDB Top 2%:

2. Hurts So Good (1982)
3. Small Town (1985)
4. Pink Houses (1983)

DMDB Top 5%:

5. R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (1985)
6. Rain on the Scarecrow (1985)
7. Cherry Bomb (1987)
8. Authority Song (1983)
9. I Need a Lover (1978)
10. Wild Night (with Me’shell Ndegeocello, 1994)

11. Crumblin’ Down (1983)
12. Paper in Fire (1987)

DMDB Top 10%:

13. Key West Intermezzo (I Saw Her First) (1996)
14. Lonely Ol’ Night (1985)
15. Ain’t Even Done with the Night (1981)
16. Peaceful World (with India.Arie, 2001)
17. Jackie Brown (1989)
18. Human Wheels (1993)
19. Pop Singer (1989)
20. Check It Out (1987)

21. Your Life Is Now (1998)
22. Our Country (2006)
23. Get a Leg Up (1991)
24. Again Tonight (1991)
25. Dance Naked (1994)
26. Just Another Day (1996)

DMDB Top 20%:

27. Hand to Hold Onto (1982)
28. This Time (1980)
29. Rumbleseat (1985)
30. If I Die Sudden (2008)

31. I’m Not Running Anymore (1998)
32. Walk Tall (2004)
33. What if I Came Knocking (1993)
34. Play Guitar (1983)
35. Wasted Days (with Bruce Springsteen, 2021)
36. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1987)
37. When Jesus Left Birmingham (1993)
38. Love and Happiness (1991)
39. My Sweet Love (2008)
40. Like a Rolling Stone (1992)

41. The Real Life (1987)
42. Serious Business (1983)
43. Under the Boardwalk (1986)
44. Save Some Time to Dream (2010)
45. Minutes to Memories (1985)
46. Rooty Toot Toot (1987)
47. Now More Than Ever (1991)
48. To Washington (2003)
49. Let It All Hang Out (1989)
50. Small Paradise (1979)

51. Troubled Land (2008)
52. Teardrops Will Fall (2003)
53. Martha Say (1989)
54. Justice and Independence (1985)
55. Rural Route (2007)
56. Rodeo Clown (2007)

DMDB Beyond Top 20%:

57. Last Chance (1991)
58. Without Expression (1997)
59. Junior (1993)
60. Easy Target (2017)

61. Hard Times for an Honest Man (1987)
62. Rave On (1988)
63. We Are the People (1987)
64. Longest Days (2008)
65. No Better Than This (2010)
66. Jena (2007)
67. Someday (2007)
68. The Americans (2007)
69. Down and Out in Paradise (1987)
70. What Say You (with Travis Tritt, 2004)

71. Grandview (with Martina McBride, 2017)
72. Easter Eve (2010)
73. Troubled Man (2014)
74. Void in My Heart (1989)
75. J.M.’s Question (1989)
76. Jailhouse Rock (1992)
77. Case 795 (The Family) (1993)
78. A Little Night Dancin’ (1979)
79. Brothers (1994)
80. Stones in My Passway (2003)

81. To the River (1993)
82. Thundering Hearts (1982)
83. Jim Crow (2007)
84. When Margaret Came to Town (1994)
85. Do Re Mi (1988)
86. I Don’t Know Why I Love You (2003)
87. Beige to Beige (1993)
88. The Big Jack (1994)
89. A Ride Back Home (with Karen Fairchild, 2008)
90. Don’t Need This Body (2008)

91. Jackie O (1983)
92. Suzanne and the Jewels (1993)
93. The Face of the Nation (1985)
94. Chasing Rainbows (2021)
95. Between a Laugh and a Tear (1985)
96. Another Sunny Day 12/25 (1994)
97. Country Gentleman (1989)
98. John Cockers (2008)
99. Sweet Evening Breeze (1993)
100. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (live, 1992)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 10/7/2012; last updated 10/7/2023.
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