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.
Just Another Day
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me up every single day
They don't work and they don't want to
Come on down to some damn cafe
Bobby Doll tells me
"Live in the moment"
Don't get too far ahead-
I blink my eyes
And the moment is over
I guess another day
Has passed
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that alright with me
But it's just another day
Bobby Doll and Big Jim Picato
Always there with their free advice
They've got pearl handled pistols
Underneath their vests
They want me to go out drinking
With them tonight
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that alright with me
But it's just another day
You got to clean white sheets in the morning
Conversation all afternoon
Bobby Doll and Big Jim Picato, baby
And me and you
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that alright with me
But it's just another day
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that alright with me
But it's just another day
The song "Just Another Day" by John Mellencamp is about the mundane routine of everyday life and the pressures to conform to society's expectations. The lyrics tell the story of the singer's two friends, Bobby Doll and Big Jim Picato who call him up every day but don't work or want to. They invite him to come down to some cafe, offering him free advice and wanting him to go out drinking with them at night. However, the singer is content with just watching girls on the street and living in the moment, but he feels like another day has passed, better known as life passing by. The song emphasizes that the routine of everyday life can be both comforting and suffocating at the same time.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is content with his simple life, but his friends are pressuring him to live a wilder lifestyle. They have pearl-handled pistols beneath their vests and want him to go out drinking with them at night. Bobby Doll advises him to live in the moment and not get too far ahead. However, the singer realizes that life passes quickly, and every day seems to blur into the next. The repetition of "just another day" throughout the song emphasizes the monotony of life, and how easy it is to lose sight of what is truly important.
Overall, "Just Another Day" is a lament about the routine and pressures of everyday life. The lyrics suggest that it is important to appreciate the simple things in life and live in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby Doll and Big Jim Picato
My two friends, Bobby Doll and Big Jim Picato, are with me.
Call me up every single day
They call me everyday to hang out.
They don't work and they don't want to
They don't have jobs and don't care about getting one.
Come on down to some damn cafe
They ask me to come with them to a cafe.
Bobby Doll tells me
Bobby Doll advises me
"Live in the moment"
To enjoy the present.
Don't get too far ahead-
Don't think too much about the future.
Don't live in the past
Don't dwell on the past.
I blink my eyes
Suddenly, it seems like no time has passed.
And the moment is over
But the good times never last long enough.
I guess another day
So, it's just another day that's passed by.
Has passed
Time flies by so fast.
But it's just another day
But every day is just like the last.
Watching girls on the street
Spending the day looking at women.
Well, that alright with me
I don't mind doing that all day.
They've got pearl handled pistols
My friends carry guns.
Underneath their vests
They hide the guns under their clothing.
They want me to go out drinking
They want me to join them for a night of drinking.
You got to clean white sheets in the morning
I have responsibilities to attend to the next day.
Conversation all afternoon
But for now, we enjoy talking with each other.
And me and you
Together, we can enjoy this moment.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Peter-bu6ld
LYRICS:
Bobie Doll and Big Jim Picato
Call me up every single day
They don't work and they don't want to
Come on down to some damn cafรฉ
Bobie Doll tells me, "Live in the moment"
Don't get too far ahead, don't live in the past
I blink my eyes and the moment is over
I guess another day has passed
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that's alright with me
And it's just another day
Bobie Doll and Big Jim Picato
Always there with their free advice
They've got pearl-handled pistols under their vests
They want me to go out drinkin' with them tonight
But it's just another day
It's just another day
Watchin' girls on the street
Well, that's alright with me
And it's just another day
You've got clean white sheets in the mornin'
Conversation all afternoon
Bobie Doll and Big Jim Picato, baby
And me and you
But, it's just another day
Just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that's alright with me
And it's just another day
Well, it's just another day
It's just another day
Watching girls on the street
Well, that's alright with me
And it's just another day
@grabasandwich
Even before he starts singing, the riffs are just incredible.
@billspooks
This is one of my very favorite John Mellencamp songs. The guitar work and the transition are exceptional.
"I am cranking it all she's got, Captain...!!!"
@progrockable
The more you watch & hear Mellencamp, the more you like him.
That's musicianship.
@Love.AnitaBlue717
Ditto Fred! I Love Mellencamp! ; )'
@stevemartin3601
There are songs....and then there are epic songs that sound fresh and interesting no matter how long ago they came out. Most all of JMs songs are EPIC in my opinion.
@tinfoilhatter
@AN1TA MY AN1TA 11:11 you know it, annie~!
@BassPlayerSusan
Very underrated song from a very underrated album. My favorite Mellecamp hit was "Key West Intermezzo".
@stevesmith2529
For 25+ years I've loved listening to this fella, still has a (rightful) place on my car playlists. Visually not my fave video, but damn the music never fails. Still think Scarecrow is an absolute masterpeice of an album...
@kenster007
Yep played that one to death. First heard John Cougar in high school in late 70s. As good as they come for sure.
@stevenhindman1327
I LOVE this song!!!