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.
Check It Out
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Screamin' out their words
To a world full of people
Just livin' to be heard
Future generations
Ridin' on the highways that we built
I hope, that they have better understanding
Goin' to work on Monday
Check it out
Got yourself a family
Check it out
All utility bills have been paid
You can't tell your best buddy
That you love him
So check it out
Where does our time go
Check it out
Got a brand new house in escrow
Check it out
Sleepin' with your back
To your loved one
This is all, we have learned
About happiness
Check it out,
Forgot to say hello to my neighbours
Check it out
Sometimes I question my own behavior
Check it out
Talkin' about the girls, we've
Seen on the sly
Just to tell our souls
We're still the young lions
So check it out
Getting' too drunk on Saturdays
Check it out
Playin' football with the kids
On Sundays
Check it out
Soaring with the eagles all week long
And this is all, we have learned
About living
This is all, we have learned
About living
A million young poets
Screamin' out their words
Maybe someday
Those words will be heard
By future generations
Ridin' on the highways that we built
Maybe they'll have a better understanding
Check it out
Maybe they'll have a better understanding
Check it out
Maybe they'll have a better understanding
Check it out
Maybe they'll have a better understanding
Check it out
Hope they'll have a better understanding
Check it out
John Mellencamp’s song “Check It Out” is a poignant reflection on the state of society and the world, as seen through the lens of a generation of young poets who are trying to make their voices heard. Mellencamp sings about how these poets are screaming out their words to a world that is full of people who are just living to be heard. The song reflects on the idea that future generations will be riding on the highways that have been built by the present generation, and hopes that they will have a better understanding of the world than the present one has.
The song includes verses about the daily struggles and monotony of modern life, such as going to work on Monday and paying utility bills, and the fact that people can't even tell their best friend that they love them. Mellencamp also highlights the fact that people are often disconnected from their loved ones and their neighbors, and spend more time drinking or playing sports than they do actually connecting with other people. The song ends with the refrain “Maybe they'll have a better understanding. Check it out.”
Overall, “Check It Out” is a powerful critique of modern society, in which people are disconnected from one another and spend more time distracting themselves than they do actually engaging with the world around them. Mellencamp urges people to wake up and pay attention, and to try to connect with each other in a more meaningful way.
Line by Line Meaning
Million young poets
There are countless aspiring poets around us
Screamin' out their words
Who are vocalizing their ideas, identities and expressions
To a world full of people
In a society filled with others
Just livin' to be heard
With a desire to make their voices heard and acknowledged
Future generations
Younger people who will inherit and live in our world
Ridin' on the highways that we built
Driving on the paths and cultural norms that we create
I hope, that they have better understanding
I wish that these future generations will have greater compassion and insight
Check it out
Take a closer look at what I have to say
Goin' to work on Monday
Starting off the week working a typical job
Got yourself a family
With personal and family obligations to attend to
All utility bills have been paid
No major financial crises to worry about
You can't tell your best buddy
It feels difficult to express love and affection to close friends
That you love him
With words or gestures
So check it out
Pay attention to your actions and emotions
Where does our time go
Wondering and reflecting on the passage of time
Got a brand new house in escrow
In the process of purchasing a new home
Sleepin' with your back
Unable or unwilling to face your significant other in bed
To your loved one
An indicator of dysfunction or disconnection in the relationship
This is all, we have learned
These experiences are all that we have gained, for better or worse
About happiness
Regarding the concept of what brings joy and satisfaction in life
Check it out,
Reflect on this...
Forgot to say hello to my neighbours
Neglecting small courtesies and interactions with those nearby
Sometimes I question my own behavior
Moments of self-doubt and introspection
Talkin' about the girls, we've
Discussing flirtations or affairs with other women
Seen on the sly
Secretly or behind someone's back
Just to tell our souls
As a way of convincing ourselves
We're still the young lions
That we haven't lost our youth or vitality
Getting' too drunk on Saturdays
Engaging in excessive or harmful behavior
Playin' football with the kids
Spending time with and bonding with children
On Sundays
A day typically reserved for rest and reflection
Soaring with the eagles all week long
Living life to the fullest and feeling empowered
And this is all, we have learned
These experiences are all that we have gained, for better or worse
About living
Regarding the concept of what it means to be alive and exist
Maybe someday
Hopefully in the future
Those words will be heard
The words spoken by young poets may one day have relevance and impact
Maybe they'll have a better understanding
Possibly future generations will possess a greater degree of wisdom and empathy
Hope they'll have a better understanding
Expressing a wish for a better world for those who come after us
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rodney Lemay, Andre Maurice Barnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FOH3663
I was there, both my wife and I (then girlfriend).
They filmed this at the conclusion of the regular concert, ... in two separate takes.
This was multiple night engagement, sold out Market Square Arena, Indianapolis.
At the conclusion of a powerful, tight show, ... house lights came up and Mellencamp explained he'd appreciate if everyone would stick around. He explained they were going to shoot a concert video, and if you stick around you may be in it.
During the explanation the film crew and stage hands got ready, etc.
Surprisingly, many left the show as it was likely 11p by then ... but damn, this was his local crowd, at his absolute peak ... that's why I was surprised. I'd estimate a couple thousand people left.
They performed two essentially identical takes, thanked everyone again ... then performed a couple more songs in an encore, rewarding for us sticking around.
I remember being disappointed, as I was wanting to hear "I Need a Lover" ... even after all that!
Maybe a year later finally saw this video on MTV
Killer show, we had a great time.
Proposed a couple months later on Valentines Day
Married in June
Honeymoon in Negril Jamaica
Now 33yrs later, after countless trips back to Negril;) adult kids, retirement, life is good!
It's true, time flys by ...
I remember the concert like yesterday.
@danlipcsey9934
2024, anyone else??
@grinningg
Toledo 3-17. The shorten show😢
@MelodyTrieskey
Me
@arunphillips6977
Me
@RichardAlexander-ym7uw
Hahahaha
@jrock2264
Yup.
@jeremiahbrown1042
I lost my dad today. He liked John Cougar. Needed to hear this today. My dad would have been around my age now when this came out. It's funny as you get older, how songs mean different things, how you hear the lyrics now, not just sing them. Love you dad...thank you for everything!!!!
@franklesko2485
The fiddle and accordion combo in Mellencamp's music is one of the best sounds in all of pop music. I can't believe people don't talk about it more. It's immediately recognizable, such a great sound, it brings a cultural legacy with it, so much good to say about it. It always leaps out of the recording and is immediately present without taking over. And the guitarists in Mellencamp's music are also tasteful and interesting, too, like the Fender at the close of this one.
@Levisnteeshirt1
It's like the come in and cut , some bands just don't get it , they try to drown each other out
@frankrees3120
Was thinking the same thing. I don't know how long this combo of Mellencamp Band members lasted together, but they had "magic" especially 11 Dec 1987!!! Thank goodness they professionally recorded it. We can have it & the Future can have it FOREVER!!!