Johnny Cougar (1979) spawned the Top 40 hit ‘I Need a Lover,’. Steve Cropper produced 1980’s Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did, which contained the Top 30 hits ‘This Time’ and ‘Ain’t Even Done with the Night.’ Mellencamp’s next album, 1982’s American Fool, rocketed to number one on the strength of the number two hit ‘Hurts So Good’ and the number one single ‘Jack & Diane,’ both of which were supported by videos that became MTV favorites. The success of American Fool meant that he could add ‘Mellencamp’ to his stage name, and 1983’s Uh-Huh became the first album credited to John Cougar Mellencamp. Uh-Huh was released while American Fool was still high on the charts, and it became a hit, peaking at number nine and generating the Top Ten hits ‘Crumblin’ Down’ and ‘Pink Houses,’ as well as the Top 15 ‘Authority Song.’ Mellencamp made his bid for critical acclaim with his next album, 1985’s Scarecrow. Peaking at number two, Scarecrow generated the Top Ten singles ‘Lonely Ol’ Night,’ ‘Small Town,’ and ‘R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.’ Following the release of Scarecrow, Mellencamp became an outspoken advocate of the American farmer, organizing Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young. Mellencamp continued to explore social commentary and new musical avenues with 1987’s The Lonesome Jubilee. Featuring a distinct Appalachian folk and country influence, , it was another hit, peaking at number six and generating the hits ‘Paper in Fire,’ ‘Cherry Bomb,’ and ‘Check It Out.’ Mellencamp continued to explore American roots music on Big Daddy (1989). While the album received generally good reviews and peaked at number seven. Mellencamp bounced back into the Top Ten in 1994, when his duet with Me’Shell Ndeg_Ocello on Van Morrison’s ‘Wild Night’ peaked at number three.ed material, appeared a year later. Cuttin’ Heads, 20th overall, followed in 2001 and spawned a radio hit with ‘Peaceful World,’. Mellencamp recorded a covers album, Trouble No More, in 2003. It was released that summer and topped the Billboard blues chart. The impressive Freedom’s Road appeared in 2007, followed by the T-Bone Burnett-produced Life Death Love and Freedom a year later in 2008. An eight-song live set drawn from that album’s songs, Life Death Live and Freedom, appeared in 2009, and appearing in 2010 was the T-Bone Burnett-produced No Better Than This.
