John Mellencamp Born In The USA Bruce Springsteen Tribute

[ewsh6070]

one of the worst things i have ever heard in my life; Bruce looked like he wanted to throw up(for good reason). sounded more like a parody than a tribute. YUCK!!!

[CommentsSurvey]

What instrument makes that ringing sound? It's terrific... reminds me a little bit of Scotland or Irish marching music. Terrific song and rendition.

[richard72183]

Great version. Didn't stumble. Mixed up words on purpose. Bruce deserves this tribute. Nobody has his body of work and he is still going strong.

[rnc863]

John Mellencamp holds the guitar like Johnny Cash.

[TheRealArtzilla]

I wish these two would tour together, if they haven't already.

[johnyg30518]

Did anyone else notice the blur put on the guitarists fret hand around the 2:00 mark? It's the dang chord for crying out loud, not a political statement!

[loftusboy9]

Im afraid this version of Mellencamps just does;nt work,,,he started out like he was about to do Springsteens own accoustic version of this classic,,then seemed to almost stumble into the original rock version....there's only one man who can sing this song & he was sitting upstairs with Mr president,,,

[srosenfeld828]

@loftusboy9 ...Mel Brooks?

[wildsmiley]

Is it wrong that I like this better than Bruce's original? I love John!!

[TheRealCritique]

This is a little too liberated from its pronunciation for my taste. Something's wrong with Mellencamp here. Sorry, this is not working. The drummer is trying hard, but Mellencamp is screwing it up pretty bad. Sorry, gotta go. This is embarassing, and the audience does not respond.

[ewsh6070]

@TheRealCritique you're exactly right. i remember seeing it on TV and i felt so bad for Bruce because Mellencamp stunk the place up with this crap. AWFUL!

[Morganizer]

Imagine singing, "So they put a rifle in my hand / they want me to go kill the yellow man" with president Obama in the audience. The times they are a-changing.

[RoccoDad84]

it pisses me off that Obama is sitting right next to Springsteen for this...he prob has no clue the message this song is really delivering

[broadwaysteve55]

@RoccoDad84 Go somewhere else and complain your an Idiot

[Mubble]

Haha, was that De Niro at 1:52? He always looks like he's gonna 'Joe Pesci' someone in the neck with a pen.

[1Suncatcher]

The great drummer is Kenny Aronoff who's played / recorded with folks like John Mellencamp, Meatloaf, John Fogerty, Switchblade, David Cook, Celine Dion and Rod Stewart, to name only a few. Also, if you want to laugh in hysterics, check out Jon Stewart's tribute to Bruce Springsteen that night also. It is a truly a riot and genius!

[lunworks]

@1Suncatcher Kenny is a great drummer and he knows both of their music PLEASE...Kenny Rocks with anyone John was so great he made him a better drummer!!Kenny isnt just a great drummer but a great person.IF people only knew what they were talking about.Who are you to judge can you do that>doubt it!They been doing it together for yrs!!BEST EVER BOTH ALL THREE!!

[MegaCoreMagnetizer]

id rather have spice girls sing it

[donyunger]

A bit of genius maybe? This performance made sure verse lyrics, that are often not very popular where heard & couldn't be missed. Missed because of the now iconic chorus, is all many would rather hear, and they hear it as they want to hear it. As in the original the chorus here is the same sarcasm. Of course all that is missed by the audience & TV viewers.

[toriboy25]

@donyunger Very well said! I think this is a great tribute to the song very poignant

[arulius74]

I like Mellencamp, and I also like Springsteen, but when it comes to discography, it's Mellencamp...hands down. I like every song he has put out. Can't say that about Bruce, sorry, but here we go again, comparing the 2. We did that back in the 80's, and both men knew it. So, I can only imagine how ackward it was for both of them, but at least Mellencamp did the tribute. he could have easily said NO.

[ewsh6070]

@arulius74 i beg to differ. who was the one being honored here? John Mellencamp will ALWAYS be the poor man's Bruce Springsteen.

[arulius74]

@ewsh6070 I was talking about comparing the 2 like most people do. Since when did Springsteen's music start costing more than Mellencamp's like you are implying? "Poor Man's" version? I don't get that.

[ewsh6070]

@arulius74 don't tell me i'm "implying" that Bruce's music costs more than Mellencamps(that's ridiculous). i'm TELLING you that John Mellencamp is the cheap version of Bruce Springsteen, which makes him the "poor man's". it's a metaphor; it has nothing to do with money. the fact that you "don't get that" tells me why you could possibly like Mellencamp over Springsteen, because there is no comparison. some people just have poor taste. either that, or you have never really listened to Bruce.

[arulius74]

@ewsh6070 You say there is no comparison but say Mellencamp is the "cheap version" of Springsteen. It makes no sense. Like I said before, I like both artist, but when it comes to discography, I think Mellencamp has a better catalog. When I buy a Mellencamp album, I wind up liking the whole album. When it comes to Springsteen I only like a few songs on an album. We just have different taste, but to say it's a poor taste is overstating it.

[Hister333]

There were many Bruce rip-offs, but Mellencamp may be the worst. Much worse than Meatloaf, Bob Seger, and John Cafferty.

[mywotzone]

John mellencamp was a walking contradictory his entire life , and beat the odds why would he not come into a Bruce springsteen with his own version? Springsteen is more hardcore rock and has a faster harder voice....

[TheSmithbelynda]

I love John Mellencamp, but, that sucked.

[SuperBuzz71]

Mellencamp was to the Mid West when I coming up in the 80's what Bruce was the east coast in the 70's. I love 'em both but Mellencamp gave Mid Western songwriters an identity. Not that Westerberg didn't too but he was urban twin city stuff. Scarecrow, Lonesome Jubillee and Whatever We Wanted made us feel like we had something to say too between the coasts. If he was born next to an ocean he'd be in the HOF today for what ever the HOF is worth.

[golfmaster619]

anybody notice the censorship at 1:55 ?

[decampp]

He forgot he wasn't singing Pink Houses

[quz911]

awesome! if anybody is allowed to cover this song then him!

[kronlof2]

Well he redeemed himself when it went rock an roll. Tough song to cover. Keep with the Pink Houses mellenhead, Seeing you tonight in Seattle.

[contact1araya]

why is the headstock of his guitar blurred? Hollyshit thats Mell Brooks next to The Boss right?

[contact1araya]

why is the headstock of his guitar blurred?

[TheTSpicer]

Do the stupid politicians realize this is a negative song about the United States?

[MrClassicrock85]

@TheTSpicer Are you fucking stupid?This song is not saying anything bad about America..It is a song explaining a patriotic American..Something you would know nothing about.

[silverfencer]

@MrClassicrock85 Huh? How do you get that...? It's a scathing critique of American culture in the 60s, 70s and 80's... That is the whole point of the song. It's like Woodie Guthries 'This land is your land' song... the music is deliberately at odds with the lyrics in order to heighten the scathing sentiments Springsteen is trying to evoke.

[donyunger]

@silverfencer critique, protest semantics. Even Woody Guthrie's songs where considered to be protest songs by many. Guthrir wrote this land is your land in response to god bless America, a song that he though didn't accurately fit the America he was seeing. A protest maybe?

[maurospringsteen]

@MrClassicrock85 this is a protest song, read the lyrics, not just the chorus, there are verses too

[donyunger]

@maurospringsteen I LMAO when I heard the chorus played At a Ronald Reagan victory. I guess no one in the group ever heard the entire song & if they did they thought so little of Americans they thought we wouldn't notice & believe play their shell game. Oh well that is something that most groups are guilty of...

[mywotzone]

@TheTSpicer No they dont , however its a true song... However I do think Obama understand it...

[Martillicious]

Kenny has been paid to play with hundreds of acts. He is bloody professional musician not a charity case. It like everyone bellyaching about Levon Helm not getting more for singing Robbie Robertson's songs. You wouldn't have a career without them but they still moan about not being given somoeone else's songwriting royalties.

[rumplestiltskin57]

Interesting to see Kenny playing with John again. It must have been awkward for the two of them. It just goes to show that Mellencamp wouldn't have had his sound if not for the driving rythm's of Kenny. Like Billy and Liberty, the two should go hand in hand. Too bad Billy and John are not more like Bruce to share the wealth. Bruce's life is surrounded by his friends which are his musicians. A rising tide raises all boats, unless you are named Mellancamp and Joel! Narcissistic A-Holes!

[HisAirness14]

I Don't know who this dumbfuck is, but he ruined the whole song, damn.

[bteasley99]

Springsteen does his own acoustic version of this, his own song.  Mellencamp does a good job of it, but when you here the "original" acoustic version you'll love it.

[milcookful]

he screwed the song up---word has it-- bruce hated it

[ArticleTen]

Must have had the usurper squirming in his seat.

[RitaAnne]

@nackerly I totally 110% agree with you. I remember seeing this when it was on and when JOHN M. walked out I said Here comes "Born in the USA"!

[faythfill]

This whole Kennedy center thing seems all very liberal to me. I see liberals as people who think they are so so cool and can unite as a "people" because that's all they can do- they feel powerful because of what THEY do...

The truth is this- we live in an evil, broken world. These celebrities need to find the Lord and get humbled. He is the truth, the light, and the way.

And please someone get Obama out of office!!!!

[Grofvolkoren]

@faythfill

You have liberals and retards, gues what you are?

[mangajo]

@faythfill you're really a sucker for labels aren't you

[Starbuckfsd]

@faythfill Take you bible thumping Jesus freak ass somewhere else. Chicks like you trying to force your bullshit down someones throat make me wanna gag...

[brownfightfanatic]

super!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TanMaries]

phew that was profound

[luckytown1963]

Powerful.....

[toriboy25]

people are smoking crack to think that sucked! Loved every tribute to Bruce that night!

[YoJJohnny]

All of this left wing, liberal, pansy shit, didn't know (or blindedly) know that "Born In the USA" is not a very patriotic song....in fact, it questions many unanswered......isn't it time sir, that you question your own beliefs?.....LONG LIVE THE BOSS!!!!...

[mangajo]

@YoJJohnny cuz reagan wasn't a pansy?

[enorromous]

Awesome job. John did justice to Bruce's true meaning of the song. I loved it.

[matten1958]

germany, mellencamp is ok ,bruce is the BOSS

matten

[matten1958]

germany, mellencamp is ok ,bruce is the BOSS



[juandelondrina]

Maravilhosoooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooo.........por Favor bruce venha para o Brasil....!!!!!!PPPLLLEEEAAAAS­SSEEEEE........

[mpersico]

sounds like mellencamp wrote it with this rendition

[Mrlifto1000]

@toxicTiger pretty sure drummer's kenny aranoff. a monster

[scoobers90]

@Mrlifto1000 yea, thats kenny.

[ToxicTiger]

I love the drummer :D

[samisainz]

At first I was like are you kiding me? But after 1:20 it blew my mind.

[Thelookoutslookout]

Not the best choice of song for Mellencamp. "My Hometown" would have been MUCH better.

[52jamaica]

@ruamellencampfan...YES I AM..Thank you so much for this video:) He is my heart:) So hope to see a tribute to him very soon and over due!!! Watched as he gave the rights to PINK HOUSES for the commerical for 9/11... watched him be there for George Harrison, Bob Dylan...ect. It is time for HIM:) His writing is amazing...his voice is the best! For the people who do not know...try listening to Min. to Memories, Scarcrow, Small Town, Cherrybom, Check It Out...ON & ON:) Simply the BEST!!!

[Novinte]

I don't want to hate, but when he goes from boring to "rock boring" what does he want me to think? YOU SUCK!

[kiiifute1]

"A natural-born citizen has been defined as one whose citizenship is estab'd by the jurisdiction which the U.S. already has over the parents of the child,not what is thereafter acquired by choice of residence in this country"

If the Founders had not wanted an expansive definition of citizenship,Morse writes,"it would only have been necessary to say,'no person,except a native-born citizen

Natural-Born Citizen of the United States-Eligibility for the Office of President Alexander Porter Morse-1904

[jejrstans69]

Oh, this is so terribly sad! I love John Mellencamp, but I held my breath in pain til it was over. yikes.

[eqsmooth]

Mellencamp is not respected by all but say what you will, he is on tour w/Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. That makes him a legend. He is also a great band leader who chooses great musicians like Kenny Aronoff one of the best drummers around. I've seem play up close and met him. Kenny is phenomenal.

[SageOftheSubway]

Mellencamp rocks. Great tribute to the Boss.

[TheNewRiflemanBob]

this guy sucks!!!

[shevie99]

I'm a huge fan of Springsteen and Mellencamp. I hate to say it, but John blew this one big time.

[themooddisorders]

the ending makes me want to have gay sex. I'll be the top first.

[moonmatter]

awful version- Bruce looks embarrssed for him

[xwingclass]

saw john at wembley in 92'. brilliant concert he was amazing. there were only 2 nights. maybe they could be together John and The Boss.

[jensenbell]

John Mellencamp is a phony - he wanted to be Bowie...then he saw Springsteen tried to copy him. And as we can hear from this... he didn't make it.

[AtzeHarald]

@jensenbell john copy nobody!

[jillhbaudhaan]

the perfect person to do this song

[RitaAnne]

I agree nackerly, well said!

[TehRatchet]

There is something in Bruce's facial expression that tells me he wants to go out and tour again.

[Tunnelof]

Great version by Mellencamp

[Sapponylady]

At 1:14 Bruce reaches back to hold Pattie's hand!!!!!!!!!!

[j99j9977]

Great job by John.

[Drumguy1988]

John's a great performer singer song writer. But this was bad. No feeling to this song at all.

[Eeza07]

I thought it was too fast. Not a fan.

[OldtimerMercedesBenz]

Aronoff on the drums? WOOHOO!

[kleenexofdoom]

besides obama, great song and video

[22cathytown]

What an asshole.

[LUVstufflikepandas45]

BRUUUUUUCE!!!!!

[MarkMaywood]

great - thank You, John Mellencamp!

God bless You! Love and light on Your way!

Reverend Markus Maiwald/ Meitingen/ Bavaria/ Germany

[nackerly]

Say whatever you want, John Mellencamp is about as close to the springsteen spirit as you'll get from these artists. If anybody was going to do "Born it the USA" I'm glad it was Mellencamp.

[themooddisorders]

@nackerly I agree! John Mellencamp blossomed slower than Springsteen. Became a great songwriter himself. Not the icon of Springsteen though I love both men.

[toriboy25]

@nackerly I prefer JM to BS 

[Hamlet92100]

@toriboy25 What????????

[McPolitics]

Mellencamp was doing his thing. He admires Bruce and was doing him honors. All "Bruce Freaks" need to chill-out and take a pill. Just because someone doesn't become an arena doll, doesn't mean they're not relevant. Get over yourselves and move on..... please.

[PaoloMolfese]

Understandeable his first lyric mistake... to play in front of Springsteen is surely the hardest challenge for every musician. That's why he ended in that way, repeating in the right way. Well John, you're show and version of Born in the USA has been great and I am sure Bruce appreciated that real emotions too.

So now go to record the perfect version John! ;-)

[Perfidiame]

Haha, but it didn't knock his earstuds off. I think older men don't need holes in their heads.

[deadkornbread]

i love watching all the old people getting down to this....its great....

[Perfidiame]

I wonder if people ever listen to the lyrics, they wouldn't be rocking with "Born in the USA", Bruce looks silly with the studs in his ears.

[westeightyone]

I went parasailing ( you get dragged behind a motorboat and you're held up by a small parachute ) in Sydney,.Australia

When the boat speeds up you go higher, when the boat slows down you go lower. The woman operating the boat told me that she had taken Bruce Springsteen out parasailing the week before. Springsteen told her to keep the speed up so he wouldn't drop. She assured him that she would. When the boat was going she purposely slowed down just enough to make his ass hit the water.

[dukestreetking44]

yeah,very,very good ,

but i will always see john as an understudy to the great bruce springsteen

[Mellenhead2007]

This was by far the BEST version of "Born In the USA" I have EVER heard!

[bris2world]

@Mellenhead2007 I think your name gives you away there pal.... you are kidding yourself. I love Mellencamp but that was awful.

[totovillefranche]

nay, it was cool; if not for the beginning of the song, but for the band to join.

[onewink]

This was one of the best things I've seen on tv in years. The whole show was amazing. I laughed and cried.

Music is a powerful thing.

[sherrishera]

I love seeing 89-year-old Dave Brubeck getting down with it!

[rikrak33]

THE GUY OF ROCKN'ROLL

[shadowestreetshuffle]

John seems tired and bored

[bris2world]

This performance was an absolute disaster. Disjointed, rambling version of the song, fumbled the words at least twice. Bruce loved the other performances but you can see he looks uncomfortable with this.

[westeightyone]

The saddest thing about this performance is that it's by a guy who's had to fight like hell not to be compared to Springsteen.

And here's that same guy confirming in the eyes,ears and minds of millions of tv viewers that he's Springsteen-lite.

Mellencamp does what amounts to a Springsteen imitation in this video. Close your eyes and listen to the beginning of the song.

Mellencamp tries to sing - phrasing, enunciation, gravelly voice- like Springsteen.

[countrynuno]

Great music by great performers

[gmccrabb]

Nice! Good to see Kenny back with the team

[johnrunion]

that was great. thanks for posting.

[14joakim]

Got Sting performing The Rising, too?

[Feebackfive]

outstanding from another great American singer/songwriter!