Mellencamp is stupid. I sold merchandise at one of his concerts almost ten years ago. We only sold one of his lame art books. Half the hockey arena was curtained off. He's too political too.

I must confess that he had a song in the mid-80's called "Thundering Hearts" (I think) that was definitely one of my guilty pleasures, although I haven't heard it in decades. Just about everything else of his I've heard is pretty dull if not excruciating (I think if I have to hear "Jack and Diane" one more time while flipping radio channels, I'm going to fatally shoot the car radio like Harvey Keitel did in "Bad Lieutenant"). I think Mellencamp, based on what I've read, is a decent enough guy; his heart seems to be in the right place when it comes to politics, social issues, etc. But he always impressed me as a Bruce Springsteen imitator, just as Bon Jovi always impressed me as a (pretty) Bruce Springsteen imitator, just as Bryan Adams did, or Dave Matthews, or...etc. etc.. Considering that I was never a fan of the guy they're all imitating...

Bruce Springsteen for the red states...1.5

One of the great singer/songwriter/rock musicians of the past 25 years. He continues to be underrated and buried beneath the adolescent popular grunge/hip hop/indie movements over the past 15 years, but there's really noone else besides Springsteen and maybe Petty who sings about issues related to the American people better.

Johnny Cougar Is By Far My Most Hated Musician. At work I'll climb down a 30 foot ladder to change the radio station when they play his SUCK-ASS songs.

John Cougar Boyscoutcamp is more like it. I don't know much about him personally and I don't really care to. His ultra-radio friendly tunes are so pandering, unexciting, inoffensive and puerile that it doesn't surprise me at all that they are being used to sell pickup trucks on TV now. You can't blame this guy for making his share of the corporate bucks,  but I don't think that this guy has a truly original idea in his head. All of his tunes sound like they have been tailor made for some silly,  pretentious,  middle-America, come-on-let's-put-on-those-old-faded-jeans-roll-up-a-pack-of-Marlboros-in-our-shirtsleeve-because-we-are-so-cool-and-come-from-real-rural-America-and-sing-along-at-the-campfire-we'll-make-homemade-ice-cream-tomorrow-at-the-church-picnic-ethos. This guy is so innocuous and commercial that listening to his music is like eating  a slice of plain white bread and drinking a glass of lukewarm tap water.

Walmart's budget version of Springsteen. For 'Jack and Diane' alone he must suffer eternal torment in the tar pits of Hell.

I never liked little Johnny "Cougar" (sounds like a name to impress a grade school kid with), or whatever he calls himself (Melonhead?) Always stuck me as a dude that tried to act tough to make up for his small physical stature ("Small-Man Syndrome"??) If I have to hear "Jack and Diane" one more time I'll smash my head on the concrete. :p However, music has often been about expressing your opinions and thoughts on many different issues - that's what musicians DO. I can respect him for that. So marcm9999, WTH is a "communist islamo facsist" (sic)...the latest dumbheaded BushCo/Repig invention to slam anyone that doesn't agree with the criminal GOP!? One is pretty much EITHER a communist (far left) OR a fascist (far right), not both. Idyut.

4 of us spent over $270.00 to see Mellencamp Entertain us in Las vegas Labor day weekend 2005. After hearing J.M'S Political views on the war in Iraq (remember??? thoses two towers??????) I paid to see a musical, not a political view I did not agree with.. John fogerty was worth what we Paid, I wish Mellencamp had missed his Plane!!!!!!! Jill Browning and Family Gaylord, Michigan USA Thanks Again Mellencamp I should have left like other did after Fogerty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If the Towers coming down doesnt constitute a war what the F*** does???????? Jilll

It amazes me that people rate artists by what they think they know about the artist or even by what they don't know. John Mellencamp has never really been a media/critic favorite. He does things his way and pays an awfuly high price, as one of his songs goes. The thing I like best about John's music is that it doesn't stay the same album to album. I am like a kid at Christmas when the new one comes out because I never know what I am going to get. John is one of the rare artists who puts out cd's that you can listen to the whole thing and enjoy it. He doesn't just put all of his energy into the hits. It is also funny that people don't realize that to have a hit today, you have to have a record company that will pay the $$$ to get it up the charts. Things have really changed in the music business. I just hope that John keeps up the good fight and doesn't stop putting out new music. That would be a sad day for me!

Simply the best!

I never expected him to last but he surprised me. Scarecrow and Lonesome Jubilee are classics!

I never really cared for John Mellencamp until I saw him live in a small town called Casper, Wyoming during a tour of his. He was so awesome live, that I went and bought all of his albums. Now I love him and respect his music. Great overall musician. And an even better live performer. I recommend his work to everyone. Usually his back up singers and his band are really good, too. Excellent all around...

Snarly, crass and pathetic. Comes out swinging against President Bush. I guess that makes him think he's relevant even though he's bargain bin in the real world.

This ignorant communist islamo facsist lover always sucked. He is so irrelevant. Now with his Bush bashing you can see how ignorant he really is.

Are you kidding? Simple, boring, uninspiring. I like him as a person, but he is an average musician.

cannot understand his appeal

Awesome singer The Boss rules

great commentator on the heartland, excellent live performer

Bruce Springsteen wanna be.

The best thing about him is that he is from Indiana. I love it when celebrities are from indiana because No body here's about Indiana. He is good reprisentation! I love him

A second-rate Bruce Springsteen imitator, at best. And keep in mind that "The Boss" sucks, too: another pompous blowhard. Mellencamp's songs are mawkish, juvenile, predictable and downright boring. Can't sing, can't play, can't write. A triple-threat no-talent. This is Music For The Tonedeaf.

I like this guy, why? Like Springsteen, he doesn't act like "the rock star". He's very down to earth and humble. True, he's had his failed marriages but he admits to his mistakes during those communions. He's a great family man and is always giving back to the community. It's too bad he can't kixk the nicotine habit. It's slowly killing him. He's had his share of medical ailments, he does not need to instigate anymore.

This is another example of a modern classic. His songs about growing up in his small town and working farm owners are filled with detailed images. Nothing tops Springsteen, but he comes close.

80s classic, I like to think of him as the midwestern Springsteen.

Just who is this guy really?

What ever his name...he puts on a great show!

I have to admit I didn't get into ol' Johnny until Wild Night came out. I was too young. Of course if I were older, I bet I would have liked him long before that. I bought his "The Best That I Could Do" tape a few years ago and loved it. Now that I have a CD player in my car, I don't get to listen to it much anymore. Reading everyone's comments has lead me to go on my replacement for Napster to get some John.

I think he has great songs and a nice, manly voice.

He is a good American artist. Jack and Diane, Ain't That America, Summer of '69, all good songs.

I cannot stand this man. I can't stand his voice, his songs, his videos old stuff, new stuff, none of it. What's weird is, I can't really say why. Maybe it's the 'I'm such a down home boy even though i'm making a million dollars' attitude. Or that awful haircut..Ahh I don't know. Something about him just rubs me the wrong way. And god, can't you decide what your freaking name is?

Quite bland in my opinion.

Absolutely one of the top performers for my money and always will be. He has so much energy and passion for his music combined with the gift of being able to pull you into the song and just make you want to dance - wherever you are. Not to mention an excellent writer. I think I could have a case of double pneumonia and the flu and if I heard one of his songs playing, I would slowly raise my head from my pillow and whisper..."hey… could … you…. turn that up?" Rock on John!

Bought his 'best of' album called 'The best that I could do'. Bought it on a whim. Did not realize how good his music really was/is. I went back a bought several of his older albums and REALLY enjoyed them. For a guy who looked and acted like a punk, he sure wrote some really touching songs. I have to admit I'm prejudice. I'm the same age as John and grew up in a small town, so his songs have a special significance for me. Wish I would have gotten into his music 20 years ago instead of now. Gotta have a lot of respect for a guy that can write and arrange the songs the way he does.

I love Pink Houses, Wild Night, Jack and Diane, and Born in a Small town. The songs that were made for cranking on the car radio and driving around my small town!

i didn't really have an opinion on mellencamp until i met my husband, who owns all his cds. his stuff is very listenable, and i like that all his songs (not just the singles you hear on the radio) are of high quality. his work of the last few years has been underrated by the music media but i think it's just as good as his 80's work. my fave cd of his is "john cougar", one of his first records. it's at that point between raw and polished that's kinda nice.

Jack & Diane was classic. Dance Naked was a serious error. In general, I think the man was a talented guitarist and an a-ok singer!

John's still one of the best!

I've enjoyed John Mellencamp's music ever since the late 70's/early 80's when he got his start as "John Cougar." That Cougar prowled his way into the collective conciousness of the entire American Heartland. He's got true-blue American working-class roots, and albums like SCARECROW and LONESOME JUBILEE prove it quite convincingly! John Mellencamp has carved himself a well-deserved place on the American pop-music landscape!

Always was and always will be great. I ask those who don't like him "now" - where do you draw the line, since he has constantly changed, evolved, and improved throughout his long and CONTINUOUS career? His "old stuff" wasn't "okay", but the great rock anthems that most of us grew up with. He has always put on the best live show out there, and even non-fans agree. Can't wait to hear what he comes up with next!

John Mellencamp is a down to earth guy who doesn't let fame go to his head. He never forgets where he came from. And always seems to write songs in which I can relate at one time in my life. I can't wait to hear some more new songs because I know I will Love them to

His old stuff was great. Hey John, ditch the family life and go back to smoking, drinking, womanizing and then maybe you'll write some great tunes again!

His old stuff was okay, now he just sucks.

one of our favorites........

His older music is some great quality feeld good stuff.

Good middle america music.

One of the greatest.

'Pink Houses' is an American anthem. I can remember the first time I saw him perform 'Hurts so Good' on Slid Gold - my parents said he moved lkike the next Elvis - how corny!He is a terrfic songwriter and you have to love the small town boy in him.