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.
Gearhead
John Mellencamp Lyrics
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And you settle down to your back seat
And the movement seems to be
And all the jokes that you use to poke
At all the dopes you were once seen with
And every word that you had ?
And you joke at all the words that you spoke
And you say hey man I was only teasing
And the rhyme is no longer in time
And all the words are not the words you been needin'
Well your not alone, you can feel right at home
You've been fully wronged, into position
Its the nature of the race, in an old type of place ?
Cause they'll spit in your face in their conditioned
And now you think to yourself, what is left for tomorrow
And it seems kinda strange, there's nothing left to gain
And nothing left to borrow
And the mistake your about to make
Will be the final take of your sorrow
[Chorus]
In "Gearhead," John Mellencamp portrays the life of the working class in America. He starts by describing the sound of engines revving on the street and the feeling of settling into the back seat of a car. He then goes on to describe the feeling of being mocked for the people one once associated with and the words one said in the past. Despite this, the singer tries to joke away the past and move forward. However, the rhyme and reason have disappeared, and the words don't hold the same meaning anymore. Mellencamp is depicting the struggle of trying to move on from one's past while feeling trapped in the present.
The singer feels wronged and stuck in their position, with the rules of society dictating how one must act and think. The idea of spitting in one's face indicates the hostility present in this society. Finally, the singer realizes they have nothing left to gain or borrow and the mistake they're about to make will be the last chapter of their sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
As the sound bounds in the street
The noise in the street is heard by the singer.
And you settle down to your back seat
The listener relaxes in the back seat of the car.
And the movement seems to be
The activity outside seems intense and dynamic.
And all the jokes that you use to poke
The listener used to make fun of people.
At all the dopes you were once seen with
The listener used to associate with foolish people.
And every word that you had ?
People used to admire the listener's words.
Was looking up to you for a reason
People respected and admired the listener for a reason.
And you joke at all the words that you spoke
The listener now makes fun of the things they used to say.
And you say hey man I was only teasing
The listener tries to justify his/her behavior by pretending it was only teasing.
And the rhyme is no longer in time
The listener's words no longer sound like poetry.
And all the words are not the words you been needing'
The listener feels like the words they used to use no longer fit.
Well your not alone, you can feel right at home
The listener is not the only one who feels misplaced.
You've been fully wronged, into position
The system has put the listener in the wrong place.
Its the nature of the race, in an old type of place ?
This is how things have always been.
Cause they'll spit in your face in their conditioned
People will show hatred towards those who don't fit in.
And now you think to yourself, what is left for tomorrow
The listener wonders what will happen next.
And it seems kinda strange, there's nothing left to gain
The listener realizes there's no way to win.
And nothing left to borrow
The listener can't rely on anyone else.
And the mistake your about to make
The listener is about to make a big mistake.
Will be the final take of your sorrow
This mistake will be the last one that will make the listener sad.
[Chorus]
The song's chorus.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind