(John Mellencamp and G.M. Green)
When I was a young boy
Said put away those young boy ways
Now that I'm gettin' older
So much older
I love all those young boy days
With a girl like you
With a girl like you
Lord knows there are things we can do, baby
Just me and you
Come on and make it hurt
Hurt so good
Come on baby, make it hurt so good
Sometimes love don't feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
Don't have to be so exiting
Just tryin' to give myself
A little bit of fun, yeah
You always look so invitin'
You ain't as green as you are young
Hey baby, its you
Come on, girl, now, its you
Sink your teeth right through my bones, baby
Let's see what we can do
Come on and make it hurt
Hurt so good
Come on baby, make it hurt so good
Sometimes love don't feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
I ain't talkin' no big deals
I ain't made no plans myself
I ain't talkin' no high heels
Maybe we could walk around
All day long
Walk around
All day long
Hurt so good
Come on baby, make it hurt so good
Sometimes love don't feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
Hurt so good
Come on baby, now
Come on baby, make it hurt so good
Sometimes love don't feel like it should
You make it hurt so good
Hey, hey
John Mellencamp - American Fool Album Lyrics
John Mellencamp - American Fool Lyrics
Writer: GEORGE GREEN, JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Jack & Diane
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
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
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Hand To Hold On To
You can laugh and joke and make fun of your friends
Spin in the middle when the troubles begin
Take it nice and easy and always pretend
That you're cool, so cool, so cool
Say I'm alone and I'm wild and I will not be tamed
Talk like a jerk or an educated brain
Be an old girl drivin' the young boys insane
Be a joker, a preacher, it does not matter
[Chorus:]
Every one needs a hand to hold on to
Every one needs a hand to hold on to
Don't need to be no strong hand
Don't need to be no rich hand
Every one just needs a hand to hold on to
Havin' good luck with your financial situation
Play the ponies, be president of the United Nations
Go to work and be a Hollywood stud
Drive your four-wheel drive right into the mud, yeah
[Chorus]
And then those hours when you're alone
And there's no body there except yourself
I know it, you wanna pick up the phone
And say, "Talk to me, talk to me
Somebody please talk to me"
Yeah...ah...ah...ahhh
Oh, yeah...ah
[Chorus 3x]
Spin in the middle when the troubles begin
Take it nice and easy and always pretend
That you're cool, so cool, so cool
Say I'm alone and I'm wild and I will not be tamed
Talk like a jerk or an educated brain
Be an old girl drivin' the young boys insane
Be a joker, a preacher, it does not matter
[Chorus:]
Every one needs a hand to hold on to
Every one needs a hand to hold on to
Don't need to be no strong hand
Don't need to be no rich hand
Every one just needs a hand to hold on to
Havin' good luck with your financial situation
Play the ponies, be president of the United Nations
Go to work and be a Hollywood stud
Drive your four-wheel drive right into the mud, yeah
[Chorus]
And then those hours when you're alone
And there's no body there except yourself
I know it, you wanna pick up the phone
And say, "Talk to me, talk to me
Somebody please talk to me"
Yeah...ah...ah...ahhh
Oh, yeah...ah
[Chorus 3x]
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Danger List
Office girls, they pass me by.
They don't know my name.
Put me on the danger list,
Just too wild to tame.
Take the drinks off of the table.
Throw my guitar out the door.
Set my sights on some new sunrise.
Help my feet to the floor.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Good boys go to heaven,
Good girls say their prayers.
Me, I don't say anything at all.
I hope the Big Man still cares.
Touch my soul with your religion.
Cut my throat with your spite.
Hurt me with your silence, girl.
Stay with me, stay with me, stay with
Me tonight.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Don't go starin' at me.
Makes me feel so insecure.
Talk behind my back if you want to.
I don't hear no more.
Take me to my destination.
Put me on the plane.
Fly me up to heaven, dear Lord.
Take me home again.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
They don't know my name.
Put me on the danger list,
Just too wild to tame.
Take the drinks off of the table.
Throw my guitar out the door.
Set my sights on some new sunrise.
Help my feet to the floor.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Good boys go to heaven,
Good girls say their prayers.
Me, I don't say anything at all.
I hope the Big Man still cares.
Touch my soul with your religion.
Cut my throat with your spite.
Hurt me with your silence, girl.
Stay with me, stay with me, stay with
Me tonight.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Don't go starin' at me.
Makes me feel so insecure.
Talk behind my back if you want to.
I don't hear no more.
Take me to my destination.
Put me on the plane.
Fly me up to heaven, dear Lord.
Take me home again.
[Chorus:]
I ain't lookin' for affection.
I guess I need myself a shove.
Give me someone I can look up to.
Show me someone I can love.
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP, LARRY CRANE
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Can You Take It
I was courting a southern belle
Her Daddy was a rich 'un, too
Sports car outside her door
She was pretty good lookin', too
You call me up, want me to come over
When the servants are all in bed
And she said, "Daddy's on a flight tonight
Does that put any ideas in your head?"
I say to her:
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
So we watch a little TV
I drink up the family wine
She said, "You're such a snake in the grass, boy
But tonight you're mine"
But wait a minute, wait a minute baby
Are you tryin' to make a fool out of me
She said, "I've seen men like you, before
I've got a long family tree"
And she said to me:
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
And I say to myself, "Even a fool like me can be the loving kind"
Even a fool like me can be the loving kind
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
Her Daddy was a rich 'un, too
Sports car outside her door
She was pretty good lookin', too
You call me up, want me to come over
When the servants are all in bed
And she said, "Daddy's on a flight tonight
Does that put any ideas in your head?"
I say to her:
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
So we watch a little TV
I drink up the family wine
She said, "You're such a snake in the grass, boy
But tonight you're mine"
But wait a minute, wait a minute baby
Are you tryin' to make a fool out of me
She said, "I've seen men like you, before
I've got a long family tree"
And she said to me:
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
And I say to myself, "Even a fool like me can be the loving kind"
Even a fool like me can be the loving kind
Take it all the way
Can you really take it all the way down
Can you really take it all the way down
Down down
Down down down
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Thundering Hearts
In these long, hot summer days,
Need a way to cool ourselves down.
Pop off the top of that Chevrolet,
Drive through the carwash, laugh
And fall around.
Smokin' the old Ducados the old man got down in Spain.
Eatin' eggs and French fries on the side.
Ride that Harley Davidson in the hot summer heat.
Lord knows that I just love to ride.
Go by and pick up that Kentucky girl.
She knew me when I got my start.
Oh yeah, those were different days...
[Chorus:]
In the valley of the thundering hearts,
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Get your greasy hair, girl, right on my face.
This old redneck's on fire, burnin' up.
Give us a kiss, baby, make it on the same place.
Humidity's about to drive me all crazy wild.
Pretty soon, the sun will be goin' down,
And this little town will be cool and dark.
Forget about heaven. Let me stay here forever
[Chorus:]
In the valley of the thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Need a way to cool ourselves down.
Pop off the top of that Chevrolet,
Drive through the carwash, laugh
And fall around.
Smokin' the old Ducados the old man got down in Spain.
Eatin' eggs and French fries on the side.
Ride that Harley Davidson in the hot summer heat.
Lord knows that I just love to ride.
Go by and pick up that Kentucky girl.
She knew me when I got my start.
Oh yeah, those were different days...
[Chorus:]
In the valley of the thundering hearts,
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Get your greasy hair, girl, right on my face.
This old redneck's on fire, burnin' up.
Give us a kiss, baby, make it on the same place.
Humidity's about to drive me all crazy wild.
Pretty soon, the sun will be goin' down,
And this little town will be cool and dark.
Forget about heaven. Let me stay here forever
[Chorus:]
In the valley of the thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Thundering hearts
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
China Girl
China girl, I met you on the sea sand.
You touched me with your cool hand.
Your perfume's in the wind.
China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
To keep you from by blue eyes.
To know me is no sin.
[Chorus:]
And I won't break you, China girl,
If you take me into your world.
It's been my good fortune to find you,
China girl.
Stolen flowers are sweetest in the mornin'.
The Eastern sun is dawnin'.
Your silk's against my skin.
China girl, take me to your jasmine place.
Cool me with your subtle grace.
To know me is no sin.
[Chorus:]
And I won't break you, China girl,
If you take me into your world.
It's been my good fortune to find you,
China girl.
You touched me with your cool hand.
Your perfume's in the wind.
China girl, your daddy tells you white lies
To keep you from by blue eyes.
To know me is no sin.
[Chorus:]
And I won't break you, China girl,
If you take me into your world.
It's been my good fortune to find you,
China girl.
Stolen flowers are sweetest in the mornin'.
The Eastern sun is dawnin'.
Your silk's against my skin.
China girl, take me to your jasmine place.
Cool me with your subtle grace.
To know me is no sin.
[Chorus:]
And I won't break you, China girl,
If you take me into your world.
It's been my good fortune to find you,
China girl.
Writer: JEFF SILBAR, JOE NEW
Copyright: Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Copyright: Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Close Enough
I may not be a pillar in my town
Or have the kind of job you think that I should.
I know you see me out running around with a couple of people
You think are no good.
I've tried to clean it up a couple of times, but I'm a
Backslidin' fool when it comes to walkin' that line.
It's OK. You think you're better than me.
Yeah, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock and roll.
Yeah, it's true, I don't plan my time.
When you're lookin' for me, I'm hard to find.
I know you don't wanna run around with me.
With my socks fallin' down, girl, I'm just poor company.
I've seen your face, and it's a one-eyed jack.
We like to talk about this or that.
None of these things really interest me.
Hey, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock.
I know you think I'm a rough cut, baby.
I ain't as rough cut as I am the blood on your hands.
Gonna love that blood right off of your hands.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock and roll.
Or have the kind of job you think that I should.
I know you see me out running around with a couple of people
You think are no good.
I've tried to clean it up a couple of times, but I'm a
Backslidin' fool when it comes to walkin' that line.
It's OK. You think you're better than me.
Yeah, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock and roll.
Yeah, it's true, I don't plan my time.
When you're lookin' for me, I'm hard to find.
I know you don't wanna run around with me.
With my socks fallin' down, girl, I'm just poor company.
I've seen your face, and it's a one-eyed jack.
We like to talk about this or that.
None of these things really interest me.
Hey, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
[Chorus:]
'Cause I'm close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock.
I know you think I'm a rough cut, baby.
I ain't as rough cut as I am the blood on your hands.
Gonna love that blood right off of your hands.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, that's all right, girl, that's all right.
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll,
Close enough for rock and roll.
I'm close enough for a little rock and roll.
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Weakest Moments
Well, I hear you downstairs;
You're foolin' around with your father's brother
And your mother's gown.
All the old heroes keep coming round
To find out if you're still at home.
So you lie in the sun, watch your body turn to tan.
Your skin is oiled with the sweat of a man.
He bought you a diamond ring, girl, to wear on your hand.
And baby, he's leaving tomorrow.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, I'll be with you in your weakest moments, uh huh.
Yeah, I'll be there with you in your weakest moments.
You say you remember when it was your world
And you were Mister Ruby's girl.
He gave you dreams and schemes that swirl
Around your head and your body.
And when you drink sometimes, you try to liberate.
And you stagger in the front yard till you find the gate
That swing on that thin line of love and hate.
And baby, just let it go.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, I'll be with you in your weakest moments, uh huh.
Yeah, I'll be there with you in your weakest moments.
You're foolin' around with your father's brother
And your mother's gown.
All the old heroes keep coming round
To find out if you're still at home.
So you lie in the sun, watch your body turn to tan.
Your skin is oiled with the sweat of a man.
He bought you a diamond ring, girl, to wear on your hand.
And baby, he's leaving tomorrow.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, I'll be with you in your weakest moments, uh huh.
Yeah, I'll be there with you in your weakest moments.
You say you remember when it was your world
And you were Mister Ruby's girl.
He gave you dreams and schemes that swirl
Around your head and your body.
And when you drink sometimes, you try to liberate.
And you stagger in the front yard till you find the gate
That swing on that thin line of love and hate.
And baby, just let it go.
[Chorus:]
Yeah, I'll be with you in your weakest moments, uh huh.
Yeah, I'll be there with you in your weakest moments.
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
American Fool
Some people say I'm obnoxious and I'm lazy
Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they're right
Some people say should have been taught a few more manners at home
Some say I'm chauvinistic better off just to leave me alone
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
If I can't please myself could I really please you?
Being brought up
The American fool
Being brought up
The American fool
Some people like to talk and tell you their ideals and how it's supposed to be
Some people are fools like me and say what's on their mind immediately
Some people don't say at all and some just care too much
Some people, some people, some people are driving me crazy
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
When I can't please myself could I really please you?
Some people say I'm obnoxious and I'm lazy
Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they're right
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
If I can't please myself could I really please you?
Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they're right
Some people say should have been taught a few more manners at home
Some say I'm chauvinistic better off just to leave me alone
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
If I can't please myself could I really please you?
Being brought up
The American fool
Being brought up
The American fool
Some people like to talk and tell you their ideals and how it's supposed to be
Some people are fools like me and say what's on their mind immediately
Some people don't say at all and some just care too much
Some people, some people, some people are driving me crazy
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
When I can't please myself could I really please you?
Some people say I'm obnoxious and I'm lazy
Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they're right
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
If I can't please myself could I really please you?
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
American Fool is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Cougar, released on April 27, 1982. The album was his commercial breakthrough, holding the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart for nine consecutive weeks. A remastered version of American Fool was released on Mercury/Island/UMe on March 29, 2005; it includes one bonus track, the previously unreleased title track.
Performed By:
John MellencampGenre(s): Rock, heartland rock
Length: 34:26
Released: April 27th, 1982
Year: 1982