Some people ain't no damn good
You can't trust 'em
You can't love em
No good deed goes unpunished
And I don't mind being their whipping boy
I've had that pleasure
For years and years
No, no I never was a sinner
Tell me what else can I do
Second best is what you get
'Til you learn to bend the rules
Time respects no person
And when you lift up must fall
They're waiting outside
To claim my crumblin' walls
Saw my picture in the paper
Read the news around my face
And now some people
Don't want to treat me the same
When the walls
Come tumblin' down
When the walls
Come crumblin', crumblin'
When the walls
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Down
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Some people say I'm obnoxious and lazy
That I'm uneducated
And my opinipn means nothin'
But I know I'm a real good dancer
Don't need to look over my shoulder
To see what I'm after
Everybody's got their problems
Ain't no new news here
I'm the same old trouble
You've been having for years
Don't confuse the problem
With the issue, girl
It's perfectly clear
Just a human desire
To have you come near
Want to put my arms around you
Feel your breath in my ear
You can bend me
You can break me
But you better stand clear
When the walls
Come tumblin' down
When the walls
Come crumblin', crumblin'
When the walls
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Crumblin', tumblin'
Down
When the walls
Come (tumblin' down)
When the walls
Come (rumblin', rumblin')
When the walls
(When the walls)
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Down
Want to put my arms around you
Feel your breath in my ear
You can bend me
You can break me
But you better stand clear
When the walls
Come tumblin' down
When the walls
Come crumblin', crumblin'
When the walls
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Crumblin', tumblin'
When the walls
(When the walls)
Come tumblin' down
When the walls
(When the walls)
Come crumblin', crumblin'
When the walls
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Crumblin', tumblin'
When the walls
(When the walls)
Come tumblin' down
When the walls
Come crumblin', crumblin'
When the walls
Come tumblin', tumblin'
Crumblin', tumblin'
Down
John Mellencamp - Uh-Huh Album Lyrics
John Mellencamp - Uh-Huh Lyrics
Writer: GEORGE GREEN, GEORGE MICHAEL GREEN, JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Authority Song
They like to get you in a compromising position
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They think they're so cute when they got you in that condition
Well I think it's a total disgrace
[Chorus:]
I fight authority, Authority always wins
I fight authority, Authority always wins
I been doing it since I was a young kid
I come out grinnin'
I fight authority, Authority always wins
So I call up my preacher
I say, "Give me strength for Round 5."
He said , "You don't need no strength, you need to grow up son."
I said, "Growing up leads to growing old and then to dying
"And dying to me don't sound like all that much fun."
[Chorus]
Oh no oh no
I fight authority Authority always wins
[Chorus]
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They think they're so cute when they got you in that condition
Well I think it's a total disgrace
[Chorus:]
I fight authority, Authority always wins
I fight authority, Authority always wins
I been doing it since I was a young kid
I come out grinnin'
I fight authority, Authority always wins
So I call up my preacher
I say, "Give me strength for Round 5."
He said , "You don't need no strength, you need to grow up son."
I said, "Growing up leads to growing old and then to dying
"And dying to me don't sound like all that much fun."
[Chorus]
Oh no oh no
I fight authority Authority always wins
[Chorus]
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Warmer Place To Sleep
Well I've been up to the mountain
Seen the ashes down below
I had breakfast with the wise man
He told me what he thought I should know
And I've been to bed with Jezebel
And I found the well was deep
And I'd trade in my ambitions
For a warmer place to sleep
Well I've seen the heart of darkness
Read the writing on the wall
And the voice out in the desert
Was the voice out in the hall
And once he called me Abel
And once he called me Cain
And for forty days and forty nights
I slept out in the rain
[Chorus:]
Girl can you share your warm bed tonight
I need to find a safe retreat
Someplace where they can't see my eyes
I need to find a warmer place to sleep
Well I rested in the devil's arms
I've chased the hounds of hell
I played truth or dare with the angels
And as far as I can tell
That a heart of gold ain't no better
Than a heart torn from the street
And I'd trade in my heart of stone
For a warmer place to sleep
[Chorus]
Seen the ashes down below
I had breakfast with the wise man
He told me what he thought I should know
And I've been to bed with Jezebel
And I found the well was deep
And I'd trade in my ambitions
For a warmer place to sleep
Well I've seen the heart of darkness
Read the writing on the wall
And the voice out in the desert
Was the voice out in the hall
And once he called me Abel
And once he called me Cain
And for forty days and forty nights
I slept out in the rain
[Chorus:]
Girl can you share your warm bed tonight
I need to find a safe retreat
Someplace where they can't see my eyes
I need to find a warmer place to sleep
Well I rested in the devil's arms
I've chased the hounds of hell
I played truth or dare with the angels
And as far as I can tell
That a heart of gold ain't no better
Than a heart torn from the street
And I'd trade in my heart of stone
For a warmer place to sleep
[Chorus]
Writer: GEORGE MICHAEL GREEN, JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Jackie O
So you went to a party at Jacqueline Onassis
If you're so smart why don't you wear glasses
So you can see what you're doin' to me
So you can see what you're doin' to me
So you can see what tomorrow might bring
Underneath your breath you know I heard you cussin'
You were talkin' to my second cousin
Were you talkin' about me
Were you talkin' about me
You better put on your glasses so you can see
So you can see what tomorrow might bring
Can your daddy get us backstage passes
You know that we love to dance
Can your daddy give us backstage passes
With all his political power
With all his political power
It seems to me like you could dance better than you do
So you went to a party at Jacqueline Onassis
If you're so smart why don't you wear glasses
So you can see what the future might bring
So you can see what tomorrow might be
If you're so smart why don't you wear glasses
So you can see what you're doin' to me
So you can see what you're doin' to me
So you can see what tomorrow might bring
Underneath your breath you know I heard you cussin'
You were talkin' to my second cousin
Were you talkin' about me
Were you talkin' about me
You better put on your glasses so you can see
So you can see what tomorrow might bring
Can your daddy get us backstage passes
You know that we love to dance
Can your daddy give us backstage passes
With all his political power
With all his political power
It seems to me like you could dance better than you do
So you went to a party at Jacqueline Onassis
If you're so smart why don't you wear glasses
So you can see what the future might bring
So you can see what tomorrow might be
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Play Guitar
You may drive around in your town
Ina brand new shiny car
Your face in the wind your haircut's in
And your friends think you're bizarre
You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far
But if you really want to taste some cool success
You better learn to play guitar
[Chorus:]
Play guitar-play guitar [3x]
You got your eye on the cheerleader queen
You're walkin' her home from school
You know that she's only seventeen
She's gonna make you a fool
You know you can't touch this stuff
Without money or a brand new car
Let me give you some good advice young man
You better learn to play guitar
[Chorus]
All women around the world want a phony rock star
Who plays guitar
You can pump your iron and shine your shoes
And wear your hair just right
You go down out on cruisin' street
'Cause you want to score tonight
Ra da ra da ra da
And you really want to show your scars
Forget all about that macho shit
And learn how to play guitar
[Chorus]
Ina brand new shiny car
Your face in the wind your haircut's in
And your friends think you're bizarre
You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far
But if you really want to taste some cool success
You better learn to play guitar
[Chorus:]
Play guitar-play guitar [3x]
You got your eye on the cheerleader queen
You're walkin' her home from school
You know that she's only seventeen
She's gonna make you a fool
You know you can't touch this stuff
Without money or a brand new car
Let me give you some good advice young man
You better learn to play guitar
[Chorus]
All women around the world want a phony rock star
Who plays guitar
You can pump your iron and shine your shoes
And wear your hair just right
You go down out on cruisin' street
'Cause you want to score tonight
Ra da ra da ra da
And you really want to show your scars
Forget all about that macho shit
And learn how to play guitar
[Chorus]
Writer: DAN ROSS, JOHN MELLENCAMP, LARRY CRANE
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Serious Business
You ain't goin' nowhere
Gonna sit by this pool until you fall in
Didn't know what you were getting into
When you walked in to this room now did you kid
We got some girls over here
We got some boys over there
And they're here just for your fun
So have some dinner, baby, play some records
But just remember one thing son
[Chorus:]
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
You know my head is sweating
I can't dance and I can't relax
Outside is too threatening now
I've come this far and I can't go back
Call up some old friends
Call up some strangers
Get me used to that French telephone
Donna Donna educate me
But tell those girls that I'm not alone
[Chorus]
Take my life
Take my soul
Put me on the cross for all to see
Put my name around my neck
Let those people throw stones at me
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
Gonna sit by this pool until you fall in
Didn't know what you were getting into
When you walked in to this room now did you kid
We got some girls over here
We got some boys over there
And they're here just for your fun
So have some dinner, baby, play some records
But just remember one thing son
[Chorus:]
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
You know my head is sweating
I can't dance and I can't relax
Outside is too threatening now
I've come this far and I can't go back
Call up some old friends
Call up some strangers
Get me used to that French telephone
Donna Donna educate me
But tell those girls that I'm not alone
[Chorus]
Take my life
Take my soul
Put me on the cross for all to see
Put my name around my neck
Let those people throw stones at me
This is serious business
Sex and violence and rock and roll
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lovin Mother Fo Ya
Riding in the park with your golden tan
You got your new tattoo half devil half man
Straddlin' a stallion made of chrome and steel
Spittin' out fire this cat's for real
He'll be a lovin' mother for ya, don't you know
He'll be a lovin' mother for ya, don't you know
Everybody's got their attitudes
Some are nice and some are rude
They come up and slap your back
They say, "Hey buddy, you can't do that."
Everybody's got their opinions to protect
But after midnight they'll be sucking your neck
They'll be a sucking mother for ya, don't you know
They'll be a sucking mother for ya, don't you know
Squeeze me girl don't let me fall
I wanna walk don't wanna crawl
Let me put my kickin' mule into your stall
'Cause I'm a kickin' mother for ya, don't you know
'Cause I'm a kickin' mother for ya, don't you know
You got your new tattoo half devil half man
Straddlin' a stallion made of chrome and steel
Spittin' out fire this cat's for real
He'll be a lovin' mother for ya, don't you know
He'll be a lovin' mother for ya, don't you know
Everybody's got their attitudes
Some are nice and some are rude
They come up and slap your back
They say, "Hey buddy, you can't do that."
Everybody's got their opinions to protect
But after midnight they'll be sucking your neck
They'll be a sucking mother for ya, don't you know
They'll be a sucking mother for ya, don't you know
Squeeze me girl don't let me fall
I wanna walk don't wanna crawl
Let me put my kickin' mule into your stall
'Cause I'm a kickin' mother for ya, don't you know
'Cause I'm a kickin' mother for ya, don't you know
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP, WILL CARY
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Golden Gates
Ain't no golden gates gonna swing open
Ain't no streets paved in natural pearl
Ain't no angel with a harp come singin'
Leastways not that I know of in this world
In these days of uncertain futures
Who knows what the masters might do
They got their big deals goin' on, goin' on
Got nothing to do with me and you
If I could I'd get us a big suite
Overlooking the Park
Only promise I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
I don't need to see the whole thing go down
I don't need to see another lonely man
I don't need to see a woman crying for the savior
Holding on to some moneyman's hand
Who can I call to make my reservations
Forever thrown in the dark
The only promises I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
I don't believe in the authorities
They ain't gonna take care of me and you
I don't have all the strength that I need
To love the way that I want to
The only promises I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
Ain't no streets paved in natural pearl
Ain't no angel with a harp come singin'
Leastways not that I know of in this world
In these days of uncertain futures
Who knows what the masters might do
They got their big deals goin' on, goin' on
Got nothing to do with me and you
If I could I'd get us a big suite
Overlooking the Park
Only promise I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
I don't need to see the whole thing go down
I don't need to see another lonely man
I don't need to see a woman crying for the savior
Holding on to some moneyman's hand
Who can I call to make my reservations
Forever thrown in the dark
The only promises I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
I don't believe in the authorities
They ain't gonna take care of me and you
I don't have all the strength that I need
To love the way that I want to
The only promises I know to be true
Are the promises made from the heart
Writer: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Copyright: Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Pink Houses
There's a black man with a black cat
Livin' in a black neighborhood
He's got an interstate
Runnin' through his front yard
You know he thinks that he's got it so good
And there's a woman in the kitchen
Cleanin' up the evenin' slop
And he looks at her and says, hey darlin'
I can remember when you could stop a clock
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh, yeah
For you and me
Well, there's a young man in a t-shirt
Listenin' to a rockin' rollin' station
He's got greasy hair, greasy smile
He says, Lord this must be my destination
'Cause they told me when I was younger
Said boy, you're gonna be president
But just like everything else
Those old crazy dreams
Just kinda came and went
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh, little baby
For you and me
[Instrumental Interlude]
Well, there's people and more people
What do they know, know, know
Go to work in some high rise
And vacation down at the Gulf of Mexico
Ooh, yeah
And there's winners and there's losers
But they ain't no big deal
'Cause the simple man, baby
Pays for thrills
The bills the pills that kill
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh
Ooooh, yeah...
Livin' in a black neighborhood
He's got an interstate
Runnin' through his front yard
You know he thinks that he's got it so good
And there's a woman in the kitchen
Cleanin' up the evenin' slop
And he looks at her and says, hey darlin'
I can remember when you could stop a clock
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh, yeah
For you and me
Well, there's a young man in a t-shirt
Listenin' to a rockin' rollin' station
He's got greasy hair, greasy smile
He says, Lord this must be my destination
'Cause they told me when I was younger
Said boy, you're gonna be president
But just like everything else
Those old crazy dreams
Just kinda came and went
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh, little baby
For you and me
[Instrumental Interlude]
Well, there's people and more people
What do they know, know, know
Go to work in some high rise
And vacation down at the Gulf of Mexico
Ooh, yeah
And there's winners and there's losers
But they ain't no big deal
'Cause the simple man, baby
Pays for thrills
The bills the pills that kill
Oh, but ain't that America
For you and me
Ain't that America
Something to see, baby
Ain't that America
Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses
For you and me
Oooh
Ooooh, yeah...
Writer: John Mellencamp
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Uh-Huh is a 1983 album by John Cougar Mellencamp and a transition from his early work under the names Johnny Cougar and John Cougar. It was Mellencamp's seventh studio album and the first in which he used his real last name. It charted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
Uh-Huh contains three top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits: "Crumblin' Down" (#9), "Pink Houses" (#8), and "Authority Song" (#15). In 1989, it was ranked No. 32 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the '80s.
The remastered version was released on March 29, 2005 on Mercury/Island/UMe and includes one bonus track.
Performed By:
John MellencampUh-Huh contains three top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits: "Crumblin' Down" (#9), "Pink Houses" (#8), and "Authority Song" (#15). In 1989, it was ranked No. 32 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the '80s.
The remastered version was released on March 29, 2005 on Mercury/Island/UMe and includes one bonus track.
Genre(s): Rock, heartland rock
Producer(s): John Mellencamp, Don Gehman
Length: 32:59
Released: October 25th, 1983
Year: 1983