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.
Cheap Shot
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They price the records too damn high
And the boys in the band could use some assistance
Well the record company's goin' out of business
They price the records too damn high
And the boys in the band could use some assistance
Get a daytime job just to get by
They're too worried about that book
And the D.J's they all hate the song
But they're in love with the hook
[Chorus:]
So na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
I bet you've heard this song before
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Take your cocaine and hit the door
Well folk rock, punk rock, power pop music
Turned out to be the latest trends
And ther ain't no more progressive music
The business has put it to an end
Ol' "Rolling Stone" has gathered some moss
No they ain't what they used to be
They try to look like "Look" with their political pages
And advertising all over T.V.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to John Mellencamp's song "Cheap Shot" are a commentary on the state of the music industry. Mellencamp remarks on the decline of the record company and their overcharging for albums, making it harder for the musicians to make a living. The lyrics also take aim at radio stations and DJs who are more interested in playing songs with catchy hooks rather than promoting meaningful or progressive music that could spark change. Mellencamp seems to be saying that the business has lost its way, and the music industry is struggling because of it. He uses "Take your cocaine and hit the door" to suggest that this industry should not be about drug-fueled partying but about meaningful artistic expression.
The lyrics also reference the various genres of music that were popular at the time, such as folk rock, punk rock, and power pop. Mellencamp laments that there is no more progressive music, and Rolling Stone magazine has lost its way, becoming more interested in advertising and politics than in promoting good music. The message is clear: the music industry is not what it used to be, and there seems to be no place for musicians who want to make thoughtful and impactful songs. The repetition of "na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na" suggests that the audience will recognize these lyrics and that Mellencamp is critical of the formulaic and repetitive nature of pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the record company's goin' out of business
The record company is going bankrupt and unable to sustain the album production and distribution costs.
They price the records too damn high
The record company overprices the records making them too costly for customers to purchase, resulting in reduced record sales.
And the boys in the band could use some assistance
The music band members are experiencing financial difficulties and could use some help to make ends meet.
Get a daytime job just to get by
The band members are forced to take up daytime jobs to supplement their income due to the music business's inability to take care of them.
Well the P.D.'s they won't play the record
Radio program directors refuse to air the band's songs probably because they are unpopular, out of fashion, or deemed unsuitable to their listener's audience.
They're too worried about that book
Radio program directors are more concerned with following the rules and regulations of airing songs to avoid getting fined by regulatory authorities.
And the D.J's they all hate the song
The Disc Jockeys are repelled by the song due to personal preferences, lack of commercial appeal, or because their listeners reject it.
But they're in love with the hook
Although the Disc Jockeys do not like the song's verses, they find the chorus appealing and often play it on air.
[Chorus:]
So na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
I bet you've heard this song before
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Take your cocaine and hit the door
The band accuses the people responsible for their musical struggles of hypocrisy, suggesting that they are involved in drug use or other vices that music can create, and hence, should not point fingers.
Well folk rock, punk rock, power pop music
The music industry is shifting from the traditional genres to new ones such as folk rock, punk rock, power pop, etc.
Turned out to be the latest trends
These new genres are popular and trendy, hence preferred by the music industry and consumers.
And there ain't no more progressive music
Progressive music is fizzling out, becoming less popular with consumers and the music industry as well.
The business has put it to an end
The music industry has no interest in promoting or producing progressive music, hence contributing to its demise.
Ol' "Rolling Stone" has gathered some moss
The Rolling Stone magazine, a popular music publication, is outdated and losing relevance in the music industry.
No they ain't what they used to be
The Rolling Stone magazine has declined in quality and cultural significance compared to its previous state.
They try to look like "Look" with their political pages
The Rolling Stone magazine is trying to emulate Look Magazine by covering political events and publishing political articles.
And advertising all over T.V.
The Rolling Stone magazine is using Television Advertising to attract new subscriptions and promote sales.
[Chorus]
Reiteration of the band's accusation against the music industry while suggesting that the responsible individuals should exit and leave the scene.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind