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.
Factory
John Mellencamp Lyrics
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Let's get this show on the road
Well I'm up every morning by 6:08
Take the Volkswagen bus up the interstate
Feel Charlie Manson just like
I'm diggin' real hard for some money to spend
Well it ain't that bad if the summer's free
I got a pretty old lady
Who rolls back in the morning
She don't pressure me about my over time
Got a kickin' black chick
Who meets me in the alley
Sayin' unsnap your jeans, baby
I'll take what I find
I got non-stop shoot 'em up, on a layaway plan
I've got a workman's compensation, I'm a union man
Working at the factory
Gonna get me some of them luxuries
Well now me and the boys
Machines are making noise
Working at the factory (moola)
Working at the factory
Gonna get me some of them luxuries
Well now me and the boys
Machines are making noise
Working at the factory (moola)
It works like this
I got one eye on the time clock
I got my other eye on, the girl in the hall
I got this, rocket, hum, stuck right here in my pocket
Waitin' for the five o'clock whistle to call
I'm the whistle dancer of the production line
I got an encore tomorrow at the very same time
The John Mellencamp song Factory, released in 1987, is an anthem for the blue-collar workers who populate the factories and production sites. Mellencamp sings in the persona of an average Joe who has a pretty old lady who lets him be, a black girlfriend who meets him in the alley behind the factory, and some extra cash for layaway plans. Mellencamp explains this as a way of balancing life under dull, thankless working conditions. "Working at the factory, gonna get me some of them luxuries," he sings.
The first stanza opens with Mellencamp's signature rasp, "Be yourself, boys, let's get the show on the road." In the second stanza, he goes on to describe his daily routine of waking up early to take the bus up the interstate to the factory, all while feeling like the notorious Charles Manson. The third stanza paints a picture of his relationships, emphasizing his freedom from his old lady's pressure with regards to overtime and his diverse love life. The fourth and fifth stanzas then conclude the song by celebrating the brotherhood of the factory workers.
Line by Line Meaning
Be yourself, boys
Don't conform to what others want you to be, just be yourself and let's get started.
Let's get this show on the road
Let's get started or started again, we don't have time to waste.
Well I'm up every morning by 6:08
I wake up early every day to go to work.
Take the Volkswagen bus up the interstate
I travel by Volkswagen bus on the interstate to get to work.
Feel Charlie Manson just like
I feel like a criminal, like Charles Manson.
I'm diggin' real hard for some money to spend
I'm working hard to earn money to spend on luxuries.
Well it ain't that bad if the summer's free
Summer is enjoyable when I have time off from work.
I got my evenings, to cruise the scene oh yeah
I have evenings to go out and enjoy myself.
I got a pretty old lady
I have a beautiful girlfriend or wife.
Who rolls back in the morning
She wakes up later than me.
She don't pressure me about my over time
She doesn't mind if I work overtime.
Got a kickin' black chick
I have an attractive black mistress or lover.
Who meets me in the alley
We meet secretly in the alley.
Sayin' unsnap your jeans, baby
She wants me to take off my pants.
I'll take what I find
She wants to have sex with me.
I got non-stop shoot 'em up, on a layaway plan
I have a lot of guns on layaway.
I've got a workman's compensation, I'm a union man
I have worker's compensation and I am a member of the union.
Working at the factory
I work at the factory.
Gonna get me some of them luxuries
I want to earn enough money to buy things I desire.
Well now me and the boys
My coworkers and I.
Machines are making noise
The machines we work with are loud.
Working at the factory (moola)
Working at the factory earns me money.
It works like this
This is how it is.
I got one eye on the time clock
I am watching the time clock to keep track of my hours.
I got my other eye on, the girl in the hall
I am also watching a girl in the hallway.
I got this, rocket, hum, stuck right here in my pocket
I have a sexual desire that I am trying to control.
Waitin' for the five o'clock whistle to call
I am waiting for the signal to indicate the end of the work day.
I'm the whistle dancer of the production line
I am a good performer on the production line.
I got an encore tomorrow at the very same time
I will have to repeat the same performance tomorrow at work.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind