John Mellencamp - "The Americans" - Live @ Walter Reed

[TheHurlco]

Well kids, this was one of the more intelligent threads ever posted on Youtube. thanks for the discourse. All that aside the best part of the jam is the bridge at 3:41. Right after that the camera pans to some soldier smiling his ass off. That's real American Rock N' Roll childrenz. Kick Out The Jams

[PortableFernie]

Since you cant see/hear irony, and can't see what he did there, singing that song to a bunch of abused and neglected veterans.. I'll give you this tip..Search for his Charlie rose interview, he plays him that song. From his own words...everything in this song is BS, it's about how we americans say we are like this but we are actually the opposite.. Did you see that interview? Do you also think Born in the Usa is a Hooray hooray song? my friend you need to LISTEN and put 2 and 2 together

[PortableFernie]

actually he is being sarcastic.... god, when will people get sarcasm when they see it. Basically he is saying we pretend to be so and so, but really arent like that

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Sure, That's why he played it at Walter Reed Military Hospital for wounded veterans.  And includes lines like "I mind my manners -- most of the time". Get a clue.

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Sure, That's why he played it at Walter Reed Military Hospital for wounded veterans. Get a clue. FWIW, he includes the line about Southerners: "I mind my manners -- most of the time". This shows you that when he's being tongue in cheek here, he let's you know. The rest is straight talk from the heart.

[PortableFernie]

@alphuez Since you cant see/hear irony, and can't see what he did there, singing that song to a bunch of abused and neglected veterans.. I'll give you this tip..Search for his Charlie rose interview, he plays him that song. From his own words.everything in this song is BS, it's about how we americans say we are like this but we are actually the opposite.. Did you see that interview? Do you also think Born in the Usa is a Hooray hooray song? my friend you need to LISTEN and put 2 & 2 together

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Charlie Rose -- there's a great source for wisdom. Watch the other video -- the one in his more official link. Show me the irony there. On your other point: Springsteen's irony in Born in the USA is obvious -- in fact, he forbad the Reagan campaign from using it.

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Google youtube John Mellencamp The Americans for the official video that he approved. And as I said, show me the sarcasm there...

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie I think you may also misread my political views. I was arrested in anti Vietnam War protests while my dad was fighting there. I travelled to Iraq in early July of 2003 -- shortly after the invasion -- to conduct and direct the first scientific poll of Iraqis' views of the war, America's intent behind it, and their hopes and fears for their own future. I've been in more than 50 countrie and I love many of them . That said, I'm very proud to be an Amercan. As is John Mellencamp.

[PortableFernie]

@alphuez honestly, in retrospect it's not fair to compare this song to Born in the USA. I think what im trying to say, there is a lot of self-deprecation and self-reflection in this song. I seen the official video, nothing subliminal there. he puts certain images that basically, if you dont catch them, you wont get the whole message. like the gay couple and the war vet and his "what ya gonna do, it is what it is grin" towards the end of the video. the arab woman dancing with swords..etc etc

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Interesting thread here, and I completely agree about Little Pink Houses. I think the woman dancing with swords (not certain she's Arab, by the way) is in tandem with the line that he respects other countries, which I'd bet he personally does. Now whether or not the average American respects other cultures all that much, I'll admit that's another issue. PS: FWIW, headed myself to Tunisia (more poll work) next month -- a place I like a lot...

[PortableFernie]

@alphuez John Mellencamp also forbade John McCain from using "little pink houses", That's another song that most people dont get the real meaning. But this is nothing new. Every time i go to a wedding and they play "every breath you take by the police" it makes me shake my head. That song is not about love. Is about Stalking Obsession and neurosis. By the way, I so wanted John to run for Senate in Indiana.. If any Democrat can win Indiana is him

[alphuez]

@PortableFernie Finally watched his own comments on the Charlie Rose interview just now, and I stand (sit, actually) corrected. That said, even having that self image -- what you want and aspire to be -- is important. Our core values go deeper than policy mistakes (of which there are plenty, to say the least). And they are the only hope we have for correcting them. Viz: Martin Luher King's image in the official video.

[filmnoir2510]

Great American Storytellers from the eighties, who are continuing to this day to carry the torch for those who live in silence and have been beaten down by the system. John Mellencamp, Tracy Chapman, Steve Earle and the BoDeans.

[RealTime88]

@filmnoir2510 I have John and Steve's songs on my iPOD!!!

[mninvideo]

kudos John, performing for those who are American heroes...best to you and your family.

[RealTime88]

@mninvideo That was a wonderful performance to see. I also saw many of the soliders with their kids. I'm sure a lot of them had no idea who John Mellencamp was before that day and now they have been exposed to greatness.

[gilles19522]

good rock bravo john

[gilles19522]

bravo john

[Radiance34]

John, you are my hero honest and strong! I wish you good luck with EVERYTHING you do!

This is such a great song! Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech in this nation and it is necessary to be respectful of each other's viewpoint. Whether we agree or disagree we should always show respect for each other. That's what this song means to me. John, you are a hero to me; honest and strong. I wish you the very best with everything you do!

[koolkooky59]

very lively and catchy tune. would like to buy the cd.