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.
I Need A Lover
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, ah-
Hey hit the highway!
Well I've been walking the streets in the evenin'
Racin' through the human jungle at night
Hey - I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light?
Electricity runs through the video
And I watch it from this hole I call home
And all them stonies are dancin' to the radio
And I got the world callin' me up free tonight on the phone
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl who'll thrill me and then go away
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
Well I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm livin'
I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, and head back home
(head back home)
Now I'm not asking to be loved or be forgiven
Hey - I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom
One more night alone
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl to thrill me and then go away
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
You betcha'
"I Need A Lover" is a song by John Mellencamp that depicts the struggles of a young man who's looking for a girl to be with. The song starts by the singer expressing his desire for a lover who won't drive him crazy, repeating this sentiment throughout the song. He's tired of the women who are only in his life to make things complicated, and he wants someone who understands him and "knows the meaning of" hitting the highway. Essentially, he's searching for an adventurous, spontaneous type who isn't bogged down by commitment.
Throughout the song, the singer describes his current situation as aimless and uninspiring. He walks the streets at night, feeling lost in the "human jungle." He spends his time alone, watching music videos and feeling disconnected from the world around him. He fantasizes about a life where he could go back to school and move back home, away from the isolation he's feeling right now.
The song is a relatable portrayal of young adulthood and the search for belonging. With its upbeat melody and poetic lyrics, "I Need A Lover" encapsulates youthful disillusionment and the longing for something more in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
The singer desires a partner who will not make them feel mentally unstable or upset.
Some girl that knows the meaning of, ah-Hey hit the highway!
The singer is looking for a girl who knows what they want and is willing to leave if their desires are not met.
Well I've been walking the streets in the evenin', Racin' through the human jungle at night
The singer has been aimlessly wandering around at night, surrounded by crowds of people.
I'm so confused, my mind is indifferent, Hey - I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light?
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and wishes for some relief from their current state.
Electricity runs through the video, And I watch it from this hole I call home
The singer is observing the energy of the world from a place they feel stuck in.
And all them stonies are dancin' to the radio, And I got the world callin' me up free tonight on the phone
The singer is envious of carefree people dancing to music and feels trapped while receiving calls from friends and connections elsewhere.
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy), Some girl who'll thrill me and then go away
The singer wants a partner who will excite them, but also is not interested in a long-term commitment.
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy), Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-Hey hit the highway!
Once again, the singer expresses their desire for a partner who is not afraid to leave if things are not working out.
Well I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm livin', I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, and head back home (head back home)
The singer is dissatisfied with their current lifestyle and plans to leave their job, go to school, and return to their hometown.
Now I'm not asking to be loved or be forgiven, Hey - I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom, One more night alone
The singer does not necessarily want love or forgiveness, but rather cannot bear another night spent alone in their bedroom.
Some girl to thrill me and then go away, (I need a lover that won't drive me crazy), Some girl that knows the meaning of ah- Hey hit the highway!
The singer reiterates their hope for a thrilling but non-committal partner who is not afraid to leave.
You betcha'
This is an expression of agreement or confirmation, but does not add much to the overall meaning of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ClassicTVMan1981X
History of John Mellencamp:
As Johnny Cougar:
1976 - Chestnut Street Incident
1977 - The Kid Inside (not released until 1983, after the success of American Fool)
As John Cougar:
1978 - A Biography (not released in the US)
1979 - John Cougar
1980 - Nothin' Matters and What If It Did
1982 - American Fool
As John Cougar Mellencamp:
1983 - Uh-Huh
1985 - Scarecrow
1987 - The Lonesome Jubilee
1989 - Big Daddy
As John Mellencamp:
1991 - Whenever We Wanted (and subsequent releases)
@Jeffro5564
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh
"Hey, hit the highway"
Well I've been walkin' the streets up and down
Racing through the human jungles at night
I'm so confused, my mind is indifferent
Hey, I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light
Electricity runs through the video
And I watch it from this hole I call home
And all the stony's are dancin' to the radio
And I got the world calling me up here
Tonight on the phone
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl to thrill me and then go away
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh
"Hey, hit the highway"
Well, I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm living
I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, or head back home
And I'm not askin' to be loved or be forgiven
Hey, I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom
One more night alone
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh
"Hey, hit the highway"
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl to thrill me and then go away
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, uh
"Hey, hit the highway"
@tristanthomas4465
Lyrics
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
I need a lover that won't drive me crazy
Some girl that knows the meaning of, ah-
Hey hit the highway!
Well I've been walking the streets in the evenin'
Racin' through the human jungle at night
I'm so confused, my mind is indifferent
Hey - I'm so weak, won't somebody shut off that light?
Electricity runs through the video
And I watch it from this hole I call home
And all them stonies are dancin' to the radio
And I got the world callin' me up free tonight on the phone
Some girl who'll thrill me and then go away
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
Well I'm not wiped out by this poolroom life I'm livin'
I'm gonna quit this job, and go to school, and head back home
(head back home)
Now I'm not asking to be loved or be forgiven
Hey - I just can't face shakin' in this bedroom
One more night alone
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
Some girl to thrill me and then go away
(I need a lover that won't drive me crazy)
Some girl that knows the meaning of ah-
Hey hit the highway!
You betcha'
@35daphni
My daughter was a baby when "Hurts So Good" came out. Every time it came on, I would sing the chorus to her, and she would just laugh laugh. She was just a few months old. We kind of grew up together listening to John. Now I'm 59, and she's 41. My Christmas present from her this year is that she will be taking me to see him on April 10th in Little Rock. What a full circle moment that will be when he sings that song. 😢😊
@TiffanyErin
❤❤❤❤❤❤
@davidvanbrunt4233
Never understood this song at 16, I sure do at 57.....👍🤣🤣🤣
@tonytoonstours
This is what I love about John, and Springsteen. Both writing amazing songs for over forty years
@LisaGemini
Funny thing, they just did a new song together! AWESOME dudes.
@chadwickroyal2133
Except Springsteen is a commie lib, but yeah John is great.
@evanmorrow1234
John Mellencamp is one cool dude. I don't think there's a person out there that doesn't like him as a person or has anything bad to say about him. He emits an aura of positive energy all around him and he really looks like he's having a real good time when he plays.
@commentatron
Hey, I remember that quote from his agent back in, what was it, 1978?
@Pyaaang
I especially like his historic fondness for the proletariat and his plight, which has kinda devolved into a thin liberal signal, but still.
@therussiandragon616
As he says, only the women in and out of his life would beg to differ.