John Mellencamp (born 7 October 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American si… Read Full Bio ↴John Mellencamp (born 7 October 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and a songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack & Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. Mellencamp currently lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

John's first record released was under the stage name "Johnny Cougar" at the behest of Tony DeFries, his first manager. Mellencamp claims it was against his knowledge and will, and he hated the name. A few years later in 1982, he made his break through with the album "American Fool" which includes the hit singles "Hurts So Good" and "Jack and Diane" under the stage name "John Cougar". With 1983's "Uh-Huh" album, he added back his real last name to become known as "John Cougar Mellencamp." By 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee" he dropped the "Cougar" moniker altogether, and has been known henceforth as "John Mellencamp."

Mellencamp has always been socially and politically active and supported the "Vote for Change" Tour in 2004 opposing the policies of President George W. Bush. Mellencamp is a devout evangelical Christian and strongly believes in non-violence; he has spoken about his beliefs frequently in interviews.

Brothers
John Mellencamp Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let´s get to the point now
Just because we´ve got the same mum and dad
That don´t mean I´m your keeper
That don´t mean I owe anything to you
You don´t care for me
And man I don´t think that much of you
'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
I don´t approve of anything you do

'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
Cain and abel and me and you
You drove my car when we were young boys
And you tore it up too
You never paid to get it fixed
And you got me beat up a time or two
I know I should forgive and forget
But man I still hold a grudge against you
'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
I don´t approve of anything you do
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
Cain and abel and me and you
It is as normal as it can be
This sibling rivalry
We should have dropped it at twenty two
But man I can't stand the things you do
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
You´re always want something from me
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
It was so much fun having you in the family
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
Now that we´re grown it ain´t helped nothin?at all
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
On my birthday, please don´t bother to call
'Cause we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
Brothers, brothers, brothers
Yeah, you´re my brother, brother, brother
Brothers, brothers, brothers
Yeah, we´re brothers, brothers, brothers

Yeah, we´re brothers, brothers, brothers
Brothers, brothers, brothers

Overall Meaning

In John Mellencamp's song Brothers, the singer is addressing a brother with whom he shares parents but has a strained relationship characterized by animosity, hurt, and disappointment. The singer tells his brother that even though they share the same mum and dad, that doesn't buy them a close relationship or kinship. The singer hints at past hurt the brother has caused, including driving his car recklessly and never offering to pay damages and getting him into physical altercations. As they grew older, the strife between them has continued even though it should have been dropped years ago. The singer can’t stand the things his brother still does, and he doesn't approve of anything his brother does because he has never cared for him. The song explores the concept of sibling rivalry that can take root and linger, poisoning and eventually limiting the relationship between siblings.

Line by Line Meaning

Let´s get to the point now
Let's speak honestly about our relationship

Just because we´ve got the same mum and dad
We share the same parents

That don´t mean I´m your keeper
I am not responsible for your actions or well-being

That don´t mean I owe anything to you
I am not indebted to you in any way

You don´t care for me
You don't show me any love or consideration

And man I don´t think that much of you
I don't hold you in high regard

'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
We are siblings

I don´t approve of anything you do
I do not endorse or condone your actions

'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
We are siblings

Cain and abel and me and you
A reference to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, where Cain kills Abel out of jealousy

You drove my car when we were young boys
You used my car when we were younger

And you tore it up too
You damaged my car

You never paid to get it fixed
You didn't offer to pay for the repairs

And you got me beat up a time or two
You put me in harm's way a couple of times

I know I should forgive and forget
I am aware that I should let go of past grievances

But man I still hold a grudge against you
But I cannot seem to let go of the resentment

'Cause we´re brothers brothers brothers
We are siblings

I don´t approve of anything you do
I do not endorse or condone your actions