I watched a John Mellancamp documentary film last night on Netflix, Plain Spoken.
 

Johnny Cougar. He hated that.

He narrated about his life and purpose while a 2016 Chicago concert played. Occasionally the concert volume was bought up, sometimes he talked over a reduced concert volume and sometimes he remained silent while the music or dialog from the concert played. It played with subtitles and they wove the narration and lyrics into a near perfect matrix never stepping on one another.

This was one of the most provocative and compelling stories I have ever been influenced by. I won't even say why. Genius in form. I may have to think of a few other adjectives.

However, my take on this is not necessarily the popular one. Most critics dismissed or panned the movie. Maybe it struck a chord within me.

He could always write a little ditty....I remember back when he hit the scene...always seemed like a good guy to me.

I see what you did there. ;)

I never liked his style of pop country music and I don’t care for his politics, but I respect him as a sincere and talented musician.

True story, the ditty about Jack and Diane was meant to be about an interracial relationship. It doesn’t really come out in the song as it was recorded, but that’s what he meant when he wrote it. Regardless, I hated that song when it came out and the fact that it was one of apparently three songs in rotation for all of the radio stations in my area my sophomore year in high school drove me nuts. I also like the name John Cougar better, but I seriously respect him for haveing firm beliefs and standing up for them. I’m sure I would like the documentary even if I don’t really care for him as an artist.

great musician. heard him on Bob and Tom some time ago and for some reason wasn't really taken by him. might've been politics or that he seemed to be a pothead but I can't honestly remember. I do think he does 'americana' far better and with more authenticity than that tool Springsteen.

very cool about the jack and Diane song. I like it even more now. probably shoulda been jack and shequanda if he wanted to get the point across though.

I like his music. I don't really know much more about him.

Hated that song too, and small towns for that matter...but he seems OK. Back before politics, he, the Boss, and Seger were Americana...the latter two COULD rock...both with great bands imo ;)

...a little rap, about Rakeel and Shequanda,
hey beotch, get in yo Honda...

Some got it....I don't...

Night Moves is a whole other level of music.

Down on Main Street resonates deeply with me.

..so his parents must have known from day-one that he was destined to have every photo/video taken of him someday compiled into a documentary?

The amount of footage of his early days leaves me in awe.
There were cameras everywhere.
Must have been an only child, or at least the first born.

His delta blues album (Trouble No More) is one of my favorites.

Bill K

There is a country song by Jake Owen playing now called "I was Jack (You were Diane)." Has the riffs of the original in a fun spin off. (If you liked the original, which I did)

Many excellent melodies from that era. Songs that really were good. I used to think he was mighty cool. I know nothing of him apart from his early music.

Likely from the fact that he nearly died as an infant. I seem to recall he was one of three infants with spina binfeda in 1951 and the only one who survived the experimental operation at the time.

Did you find the story telling or the subject more intriguing?

More of the subject and his views although his voice is good and his speech is excellent. I think that helped. I mean some of these cats are really articulate. Take David Bowie for example. Paul Simon.

The best part and the part that hit home with me was the introspection. I found out I'm not unlike Mellancamp. And he put words to many of my thoughts that I couldn't express all that well beforehand.

There is one major difference though. I tend to like people more and I don't think many people "are in my way." I can easily work around most that would otherwise give me grief.

Wild Nights is my favorite song of his.

I've seen the film available on Netflix and skipped over it for Keith Richards, Doors and Stones docs. May have to eyeball it.
Caught him on with Stern awhile ago and found him to be a very interesting guy who is a real Midwesterner.

lol

It's almost as good as that Chili Peppers song higher ground

do you think if he was born closer to today..would he have made it?

i'm not so sure. i wasnt much of a fan back then.