We don't get to know anybody in this world except ourselves. MELLENCAMP: (Singing) Some are telling stories that are just impossible to believe. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SIMPLY A ONE-EYED JACK") My grandfather used to say to me, John, what did you expect (laughter)? What did you think was going to happen? MELLENCAMP: Well, you know, when you're young, you're very optimistic about things, I think foolishly optimistic sometimes. INSKEEP: In saying that, do you feel disappointed, disillusioned compared to whatever you thought about the world 30 or 40 years ago? You know, once you make that discovery, the discovery that I personally have made, I don't even hold people to their word anymore. MELLENCAMP: Well, you've been lied to your whole life, I mean, just like me. MELLENCAMP: I don't know how old you are, but. INSKEEP: Which is why people lie - about themselves, about their feelings, about human nature. We try to protect ourselves from people - at least I do and people I know - will try to protect their friends or their so-called friends or people from the worst side of themselves. Step aside when I come your way 'cause I'm a man that worries. MELLENCAMP: (Singing) I am a man that worries. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "I AM A MAN THAT WORRIES") But as I got older, I found out that I don't have a clue what the is going on. The audience would always surprise - I was always surprised. The people at the record company would always surprise me. And then I started thinking, you know, it's been that way with everything that I've done. MELLENCAMP: During those moments of crisis in a relationship, the person (laughter) that you're involved with, who you thought you knew, always surprises you. And his latest lyrics portray a man who's not only on guard but also alone. INSKEEP: He has lived through three divorces and several chapters of fame. MELLENCAMP: What I've discovered at my ancient age is that we are all in solitary confinement inside our own skins. And as we talked, he paraphrased a line from a Tennessee Williams play. INSKEEP: Mellencamp came on the line from his house in Bloomington in my home state of Indiana. This world is run by men much more crooked than me. MELLENCAMP: (Singing) I am a man of low degree. And he's holding a sword to defend himself. INSKEEP: He calls the album "Strictly A One-Eyed Jack." In a deck of cards, the one-eyed jack is facing sideways, half his face hidden. MELLENCAMP: (Singing) I always lie to strangers. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "I ALWAYS LIE TO STRANGERS")
The narrator of his newest songs has seen far too much and is on guard against the world. INSKEEP: In 2022, John Mellencamp is 70, his voice altered by a lifetime of smoking. INSKEEP: In 1998, the singer, now middle-aged, seemed to offer encouragement to young people.
JOHN MELLENCAMP NOW FREE
It follows Mellencamp on his iconic 2000 tour in which he played free shows across the country.MELLENCAMP: (Singing) Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of livin' is gone. The film was narrated by Matthew McConaughey, with special contributions by Nora Guthrie. The latter album arrived alongside Mellencamp’s documentary The Good Samaritan Tour 2000. It featured “All Along The Watchtower” and “In My Time Of Dying.”
Lonely Street (Live 1984) arrived in May with a 17-song tracklist including “Shoot Out The Lights” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” In August, he shared The Good Samaritan Tour 2000 which included 12 songs across 43 minutes. Mellencamp shared two live albums during 2021. Time spent listening will certainly not be wasted time.” The New Yorker said, “Mellencamp is a poet of ennui, making him an apt mouthpiece for our moment.” Forbes said, “Mellencamp is absolutely uncompromising and unyielding as an artist”, while The Associated Press declared that “Longtime fans of Mellencamp will find much to like on this new offering from the artist. Strictly A One-Eyed Jack has been attracting highly positive reviews.
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