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.
Empty Hands
John Mellencamp Lyrics
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Through the black snow, that lay on the land
Walked home one winter morning
With my live savings in my hand
Maryanne, she's fixin' up some breakfast
Got the lights on, on the Christmas tree
Sittin' there, lookin' up at an angel
With something dyin' inside of me
Grew up with great expectations
Heard the promise and I knew the plan
They say people get what they deserve
But Lord, sometimes it's much worse than that
Maryanne, she takin' in some laundry
I got a part time job in a drive-in stand
Oh Lord, what did I do
To deserve these empty hands?
Across the cities
Across this land
Through the valleys
And across the sand
Too many people standing in line
Too many people with nothing planned
There's too many people with
Empty hands
Now Maryanne's been cryin' Lord knows, I love her the best I can
When my pride is bruised and broken
She slips her hand into my empty hands
Without hope, without love
You've got nothing but pain
Just makes a man not give a damn
That's no way for us to live
We've got to fill these empty hands
Across the cities
Across this land
Through the valleys
And across the sand
Too many people standing in line
Too many people with nothing planned
There's too many people with
Empty hands
The lyrics of John Mellencamp's "Empty Hands" explore the struggles of a blue-collar worker who reflects on his life and the promises made to him by society. The opening line, "In the shadows of the smokestacks," sets the scene for an industrial landscape where the singer is walking home with his live savings in his hand. Despite the holiday season - as illustrated by the Christmas tree and the lights - there is something dying inside of him. The following lines suggest that the singer grew up with great expectations, but the reality of his life is one of disappointment and unfulfilled promises. He refers to the idea that people get what they deserve but acknowledges that sometimes life is much worse than that.
As the song progresses, the lyrics shift from the individual experience to a broader commentary on society. The chorus repeats the phrase "too many people with empty hands," implying that the singer's story is not unique, and that many people are struggling without hope or opportunity.
The final verses return to the personal, as the singer acknowledges the love of his partner, MaryAnne, and how she stands by him through thick and thin. The song's conclusion offers a hopeful note, suggesting that, as a society, we must work to fill these empty hands, acknowledging the struggles of the working class and striving to create a more equitable world.
Line by Line Meaning
In the shadows of the smokestacks
In the darkness of the industrial towers
Through the black snow, that lay on the land
Trudging through the dirty snow covering the ground
Walked home one winter morning
Made the journey back to my dwelling on a cold day
With my live savings in my hand
Holding all the money I had managed to save up
Maryanne, she's fixin' up some breakfast
My partner, Maryanne, preparing a morning meal
Got the lights on, on the Christmas tree
Lit up the tree for the holiday season
Sittin' there, lookin' up at an angel
Sitting and gazing at a decoration of an angel
With something dyin' inside of me
Feeling a sense of emptiness and sadness within myself
Grew up with great expectations
Was taught to aspire for a successful and fulfilling life
Heard the promise and I knew the plan
Believed in the promised opportunities and had a set strategy
They say people get what they deserve
Many people believe that individuals reap what they sow
But Lord, sometimes it's much worse than that
However, sometimes people face situations harsher than what they deserve
Maryanne, she takin' in some laundry
Maryanne is working as a washerwoman
I got a part time job in a drive-in stand
I have a temporary job serving people at a drive-in eatery
Oh Lord, what did I do
A plea to understand why life is difficult despite trying hard
To deserve these empty hands?
Why am I faced with the burden of having nothing?
Across the cities
Throughout urban areas
Across this land
Throughout the entire country
Through the valleys
Traversing the low areas between hills and mountains
And across the sand
Journeying across arid desert landscapes
Too many people standing in line
Numerous individuals queuing up for opportunities
Too many people with nothing planned
A large number of individuals without objectives or strategies
There's too many people with
The quantity of individuals experiencing
Empty hands
The pain and sadness of having nothing
Now Maryanne's been cryin'
Maryanne has been weeping
Lord knows, I love her the best I can
I love her dearly, but can only express it to a certain extent
When my pride is bruised and broken
During times when my ego is hurt and weak
She slips her hand into my empty hands
She reaches out to hold my unoccupied hands
Without hope, without love
Living without any aspirations or love
You've got nothing but pain
Leaves one with only discomfort and suffering
Just makes a man not give a damn
Results in an attitude of apathy and indifference
That's no way for us to live
A way of living that is undesirable
We've got to fill these empty hands
We need to overcome this sadness and find something fulfilling
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORGE MICHAEL GREEN, JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind