Album: American Fool (1982)

Charted: 25 1

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• A little ditty 'bout Jack & Diane
  Two American kids growing up in the heart land
  Jack, he's gonna be a football star
  Diane's debutante, 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 the shady trees
  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"
  Saying "Oh yeah
  Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone"
  They walk on
  
  Jack he sits back, collects his thoughts for the moment
  Scratches his head, and does his best James Dean
  "Well then, there, Diane, we ought to run off to the city"
  Diane says
  "Baby, you ain't missing nothing"
  But Jack he says, yeah
  
  "Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone"
  "Oh yeah"
  He's saying "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 women and men
  
  "Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone"
  "Oh yeah"
  He's saying "Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone"
  
  A little ditty 'bout Jack and Diane
  Two American kids doin' the best they can Writer/s: John Mellencamp
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 58

• Aussieguy from AustraliaI read that jack was going to be African American. And Dianne got pregnant and they had to leave town and they lost their youth early
• Em from OntarioI heard this song again for the first time in years, and it immediately made me think of a couple of young kids who were fooling around, Diane got pregnant, Jack's football career ended, and the slog of sudden adulthood robbed them of their youth and dreams.
• John from HeartlandWonder what Diane was like and where is the Heartland?
• Youh Mahmah from MdYeah, I know Jack and Diane personally! They are my neighbors and say they used to hang out with Mellencamp all the time! Nah I'm just kidding, so STOP SAYING YOU KNOW THEM!!! (directed towards like 10% of the comments here)
• Hans from Boston, MaI had posted about this earlier, but Mellencamp's complaint about the 2012 film, "Jack & Diane" "riding his coattails" is really hypocritical. The content of the lyrics of "Jack and Diane" was taken from "The Six Teens" by Sweet, which is OK from a legal vantage, but the lyrics and melody of the chorus (which opens with "But life goes on") is similar enough that if I owned the publishing, I would have sued Mellencamp. Don't get me started on "The Authority Song" ripping off "I Fought the Law."
• Shandroise De Laeken from Davao City, PhilippinesThere's a song from 2010-2014 which sampled the acoustic guitar chords of this song. I often hear that song in the radio.Today (08-08-2015) I heard this song for the first time, and as soon as I heard its guitar chords and got reminded of that 2010-2014 song, I searched Jack and Diane up. Finding out that it's overplayed just says why that newer band used the guitar chords of this song. They hear this often, and they find the guitar in this beautiful.
• Marc from -, MdFirst-ever interview with the girl in this video, including what she's doing now and never-published pics: http://noblemania.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-girl-in-video-jack-diane-1982.html. Hint: She was John's w_f_.
• Hans from Cambridge, MaThe chorus is kind of jarring in terms of being incongruous from the verses like Mellencamp was forcing two different songs together. It all made sense once I realized that song's lyrics are heavily inspired (borrowed?) by the band Sweet's song The SixTeens, where there is a connection between the narrative and the existential crisis. Check out this uncredited inspiration - it flows better and makes a lot more sense.
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaFrankly, I can't stand this song. "Two American kids doin' the best they can". That's probably so, which ain't much folks. It reminds me of some of the idiots I knew in highschool.
• Mimi from Marion, InBobbie Brooks is a brand of women's clothing. A Tastee Freeze is kind of like a Dairy Queen...
• Camille from Toronto, OhOne of the most overplayed oldies on the radio.
• Brian from Boston, MaThis is a great song. I love the acoustic guitar in this song. I play this on guitar myself .I really like the percussive way John plays the acoustic in this song
• Hannah from Gustavus, OhThis is definitely one of my favorite songs from the 80s. I've lived in a small Ohio town in the Rust Belt my whole life, and the first time I heard this I knew exactly what a "Taste-Freeze" was bacause we have at least three similar establishments around here (little ice cream/snack stands where you can get hot dogs, burgers, sodas etc. too). That's a very Rust Belt/Midwest thing.
• Nina from Brandon, MsJohn acknowledges that Mick Ronson played a huge role in getting this song together and making it a hit. I wonder if Mick saw any royalties from it? I doubt he did but he deserved to. RIP Mick.
• Michael from Oakland, CaI think there should be a song from the guy with the hitman story
• Jennifer from Austin, TxI also read it was written after Mellencamp saw Splendor In The Grass....as Kellie In FL statted in an earlier post.
• Jeff from Boston, MaFor Erika and others curious about the name "Bobby Brooks", that is the name of a women's clothing brand. The lyric most likely refers to Diane's jeans or tights which Jack wants to "dribble off" so he can "do what I please" with her.
• Cristian from Santiago, ChileFor some reason, my posting on this song was eliminated. All I said was that the song was not half bad but it was basically a Dylan wannabe. Cougar used Dylan's singing style and the writing is second rate Dylan. But, it's still a pretty good song.
  
• Erika from Medford, Nyi love his song<3
  it also has my god fathers name in it, Bobby Brooks, wonder if JCM ever knew him or if he picked he name at random....hmmm
• Franci from Bangalore, IndiaBeautiful song. fits in perfectly with other hits of the 80's that made you think of those younger years when life was reckless and free !
  
  Thanks Mellencamp for a truly amazing song!
  
• Al from Bumfuque, Bhutanhe ripped off the acoustic guitar part from "that's the way" by led zeppelin.
• Al from Bumfuque, Bhutani always thought that the opening line went, "a little pity 'bout jackie dyin'"
• Dave from Port Jervis , NyI own John Cougar Mellecamp's corvette used in the Jack and Diane video and after watching the video I realize I own a piece of Rock and Roll history. The song will live on for ever-its only getting better.
• Rory from Escalon, CaJack and Diane aren't real people so I dont know what you guys are talking about. Jack and Diane is John Mellencamp's way of saying a couple. Like a couple who is in love is in general, a jack and diane
• Bender from East West Virginia, Va"OH yeah, the buzz goes on, long after your fill of drinking is gone"
• Melissa from Lorton, VaThey played this song on the radio during lunchtime at my school. I was surprised most of my friends knew and liked it!! So by the end we were all singing along. I love this song, so sweet.
• Dave from Nashua, NhHow do you find the most incredible version of this song. I have heard it on radio but cannot find out when it was recorded. Very robust version of Jack and Diane with much bass and acoustic additions. Anyone know?
• Susan from Toronto, CanadaThe line "...does his best James Dean, `Well, then there...'" was actually taken from a James Dean movie. I was watching REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE and James Dean says to Sal Mineo on some mansion stairs, "Well, then there...." EXACTLY as John Mellencamp says them in this song.
• Catharine from Baltimore, MdI think the fact that so many people are claiming to know the 'real' Jack and Diane just proves how apropos the names are--real commonplace, American-sounding names.
• Michael from San Diego, CaOne of the most heartfelt, passionate songs ever written or sung. A timeless classic that people will still be enjoying for decades to come!
• Pete from Nowra, Australiathere's a Jack n Dianne living here in Nowra NSW Australia , they were a lovely couple, Jack just under went a triple by pass operation , and Dianne took off with the milkman when he was in hospital , Jack found out from his brother Ted, so he hired a hitman to get Dianne , it backfired when the hit man killed Dianne's sister Joyce by mistake , now Jack and the hitman are doing time in jail , and Dianne ran off to Barbados with the milkman
• Lin from Chicago, IlAll these are wrong. Jack and Diane are both from Illinois, married young and have a son. Jack recently passed away of cancer. I personally know the family. Amazing song.
• Tommy from Philadelphia, PaMick Ronson, the late, talented guitarist who played for David Bowie as one of the "Spiders from Mars", played guitar on "Jack and Diane."
• Carolyn from Jackson, United StatesThe real Jack and Diane are from Breathitt Co., KY. John met them while in Germany in the army.
• Joe from Bellingham, Waon the simpsons episode where homer rents a condo with three gay guys, weird al comes and sings homer a jack and diane parody called "homer and marge" i like it better than the mellencamp version! not sure if its on any weird al album though...
• Eric from Milltown, Inlove this song, John's a huge hit around southern Indiana. as for the "suckin on chili dogs" line, i think it means the same thing as when you suck down a hot dog, just means your eatin it fast.
• Dana from Calgary, CanadaIn response to the comment above about the lyrics, you have them wrong, which is probably why your so confused. its " Diane sittin' on Jacky's lap, got his hands between HER knees" not HIS knees. but I think you have something with the chilli dog thing...
• Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaMost Tasty Freezes have all scattered to the winds. I live a few miles from the GA/AL state line, and there's one about 20 minutes from the state line in Alabama. To better understand what the Tasty Freeze is, or was, think of Sonic Drive-In.
• Brandon from Peoria, IlExplain this: "Diane sittin' on Jackie's lap, got his hands between his knees..." How can he have his hands between his knees if Diane is sitting on his lap? I think he's pettin' Diane's kitty and she's suckin' on more than just a chilli dog if you ask me. :) BTW I usually EAT my chilli dogs but hey, to each his own i guess.
• Bev from Lees Summit, MoTo Pete from Nowra, a Tasty Freeze is like an old Dairy Queen. Usually a little walk up place that sells soft ice cream, hot dogs, fries and pop. I have fond memories of places like that from my childhood and you can still find them in some places.
  I really like John Mellencamp and have a lot of respect for him, but this song drives me nuts. I turn it off whenever it starts playing.
• Pete from Nowra, Australiacould never work out that line" sucking on a chilli dog outside etc etc etc , well now i know ...so whats a Tasty Freaaze????
• Jerry from Brooklyn, NyFor some reason, my posting on this song was eliminated. All I said was that the song was not half bad but it was basically a Dylan wannabe. Cougar used Dylan's singing style and the writing is second rate Dylan. But, it's still a pretty good song.
• Pete from Nowra, Australiaactually started off as Johnny Cougar, then John Cougar , then John Cougar Mellencamp, now its John Mellencamp...reminds me of that joke
  are ya ready ? "where do watermelons go on their holidays???? John Cougar's Melon camp.... ha ha tee hee ha ha
  
  
• Steve St. Michael from Renfrew, CanadaI think John should write more about Jack and Diane's venture through life.
• James from Toronto, Canadafor some reason i think the guitar and the drums beats are absolutely perfect together...Great song
• Olivia from Perth, AustraliaI love everything about this song.
• Rob from Castaic, CaYeah Ernie - Mellencamp is/was against the war, not that it makes much difference in whether or not I think the song is good or not.
• Kellie from Bradenton, FlThe movie Splendor in the Grass with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty is alot like the song. It's about two high school kids named Deana and Bud. Deana is in love with Bud but he breaks up with her to focus more on his football career and she goes crazy. "Little ditty about jack and dianeTwo american kids growin´ up in the heartland Jackie´s gonna be a football star
  Diane debutante backseat of jackie´s car." In the end she is finally able to move on. "Oh yeah life goes on
  Long after the thrill of livin´ is gone
  Oh yeah life goes on
  Long after the thrill of livin´ is gone"
  
  
  
• Oskar from Bilbao, Spain"Life goes on/long after the thrill of living is gone." These lines of the chorus are simply brilliant. They describe well a lot of people
  ´s routinary existence. Think about it!
• Jr from Centreville, MdObviously one of the most recognized songs of the past decade. Its a great song, anytime it comes on the radio, everyone starts singing it,we all know the lyrics and we all love it.
• Ernie from Waltham Mass, United StatesI bought tickets recently for my,s wifes birthday in boston at the tweeter center july 7th after i did this i did some recearch and found out he was against the vietnam war and is agaist the iraq war is this true
• Jess from Jeff, InJohn Mellencamp is from Seymore, Indiana. I've actually seen him at an Indiana basketball game once.
• Jim from Oxnard, CaThere is no Jack and Diane. Mellencamp is from Indiana (the name of the town escapes me) and there is no couple that goes by that name in that town. He probably just thought of a typical American-as-cherry-pie couple in writing the song.
• Richard from Versailles, KyThe song is great i love it i can actually relate to it with an ongoing relationship i am currently engaged with
• Cary from Los Angeles, CaI know the "family" of Jack & Diane. "Jack's" real name is actually John. Mellencamp thought Jack sounded better than John, plus his own name is John, so he didn't want people thinking the song was about him.
  
  Jack & DIane got married, had 2 kids, a boy & a girl and eventually got a divorce. "Jack & Diane" are still friends of Mellencamps & the daughter used to babysit for him until she went off to college. The family resides in Lee County, FL.
• Ben from Philly, PaThe main characters in Sugar & Spice were Jack and Diane, named after this song. "Two american kids doin´ the best they can"; "Jackie´s gonna be a football star" are both parts of the movie.
• Ryan from Mobile, AlGreat song! One of my personal favorites.
• Natasha from Chico, CaGreat song, mellencamp wanted to use an interracial couple for the video, but the producers wouldn't allow it.

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