John Mellencamp (born 7 October 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American si… Read Full Bio ↴John Mellencamp (born 7 October 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and a songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack & Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. Mellencamp currently lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

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.

Make Me Feel
John Mellencamp Lyrics

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This ain't no make-believe
I ain't foolin' around this time
You can believe what you want to believe
It's a sin the way we've wasted our time

Make me feel like I want to feel
Baby, tear this pain from my heart
Make me feel like I want to feel

Make me feel like I did in the start

Maybe it's a change of plan
Now that your dreams have left me behind
Or is it another man
Who didn't care that you were mine?

Baby, this could be our last chance
Now you're actin' like it's no big deal
Make me feel like I want to feel
Make me feel like I did in the start

I can hear, I can hear, I can hear
The radio playin' your favorite song
I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
I know that something had to go wrong

Baby, don't you walk away
Stay here and listen to my plans

You can leave; make it another day
Stay tonight, and hold me in your hands

Overall Meaning

In John Mellencamp's song Make Me Feel, the lyrics speak to the longing and desperation of love. The singer calls for his lover to make him feel like he did at the start of their relationship, to tear the pain from his heart. The lyrics suggest that the relationship has gone awry, and the singer is attempting to salvage what is left of it. He questions whether it is a change of plans or another man who has come between them.

The chorus of the song is repetitive, emphasizing the singer’s plea to be made to feel like he did in the beginning. He is searching for that sense of connection and longing that he once had with his lover. The lyrics create a sense of urgency, suggesting that this may be their last chance to save their relationship. The reference to the radio playing the lover's favorite song reinforces the theme of nostalgia and longing for a time when things were better.

Overall, the song is a passionate plea for love, with the singer desperately seeking to recapture the feelings he once had with his lover. The lyrics are relatable, evoking emotions of heartbreak and desperation that many people can understand.

Line by Line Meaning

This ain't no make-believe
The situation at hand is not a fantasy

I ain't foolin' around this time
I am being serious now

You can believe what you want to believe
You are free to hold any belief you choose

It's a sin the way we've wasted our time
Our time together has been regrettable

Make me feel like I want to feel
Help me to reconnect with my emotions

Baby, tear this pain from my heart
Please alleviate my emotional suffering

Make me feel like I did in the start
Recreate the positive emotional state we had initially

Maybe it's a change of plan
Perhaps the situation has shifted

Now that your dreams have left me behind
Since your aspirations do not include me anymore

Or is it another man
Maybe there is someone else now

Who didn't care that you were mine?
Someone who did not respect our relationship