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.
Rooty Toot Toot
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I went to the grocery store
And got some steaks to go
Went by, and picked up my gal, Teddi Jo
We had ourselves a picnic
Beside a dirty road
Rooty toot toot
We had it made in the shade
Like a bell through the hoop
Spinning and tumbling inside this
Hoola hoop
Living and learning rooty toot toot
We laid out a blanket
And started a fire.
Had the radio playing
From inside the car
I took off my shirt
And kicked off my shoes
She read the paper
And told me the news
She said, "There's a lot of people out there"
"Who are at the end of their rope"
"Sometimes, baby you've got to lay low"
Rooty toot toot
Rooty toot toot
We had it made in the shade
Like a bell through the hoop
Spinning and tumbling inside this
Hoola hoop
Livin' and learnin' rooty toot toot
We stayed there all day
We both get us some real
Good suntans
I thought, that was OK
Sometimes life can be so grand
We were getting' ready
To shake out that place
When the Illinois state trooper
Got in my face
He said, "You're on private property"
But once he cooled down, he was OK
Sometimes you're golden, man
That's all I got to say
Rooty toot toot
Rooty toot toot
We had it made in the shade
Like a bell through the hoop
Spinnin' and tumblin' inside this
Hoola hoop
Livin' and learnin' rooty toot toot
The lyrics of John Mellencamp's song Rooty Toot Toot describe a day spent with his girlfriend, Teddi Jo, as they have a picnic next to a dirty road. The singer starts by saying that he has some money to spend, so he went to the grocery store to buy some steaks to grill. He then picks up his girlfriend, and they start their casual day out. They lay out a blanket, start a fire, and have the radio playing from inside the car. They get comfortable, and the singer takes off his shirt and shoes so that they both can get a good suntan.
The song's chorus talks about their carefree state of mind, captured in the phrase "rooty toot toot." The singer and his girlfriend are enjoying their day and living life to the fullest in the moment. They feel the happiness and joy of being together and not worrying about anything else. However, towards the end of the song, an Illinois state trooper comes, and initially, there is some tension. Still, the situation eventually resolves, and the singer concludes that sometimes in life, things just work out well.
Line by Line Meaning
Got my hands on a little bit of dough
I acquired some money
So I went to the grocery store
I went shopping for food
And got some steaks to go
I bought some steaks to take with me
Went by, and picked up my gal, Teddi Jo
I went and got my girlfriend, Teddi Jo
We had ourselves a picnic
We had a meal outside
Beside a dirty road
We were near a road that was not clean
Rooty toot toot
This is a meaningless phrase used for the chorus of the song
We had it made in the shade
We were in a good situation
Like a bell through the hoop
Like a bell going through a hoop in a game
Spinning and tumbling inside this
We were moving around in circles
Hoola hoop
This is a toy we might be playing with
Living and learning rooty toot toot
We were experiencing things together
We laid out a blanket
We put a blanket on the ground
And started a fire.
We made a fire
Had the radio playing
We were listening to the radio
From inside the car
The car was nearby
I took off my shirt
I removed my shirt
And kicked off my shoes
I removed my shoes
She read the paper
Teddi Jo read the news
And told me the news
She shared the news with me
She said, 'There's a lot of people out there'
Teddi Jo noted that there were many unhappy people
"Who are at the end of their rope"
These people are in a difficult situation
"Sometimes, baby you've got to lay low"
Teddi Jo suggested that we should be careful
We stayed there all day
We were there for an extended period of time
We both get us some real
We both got very
Good suntans
We got a good tan from being outside
I thought, that was OK
I was happy with how the day went
Sometimes life can be so grand
Life can be good
We were gettin' ready
We were preparing to leave
To shake out that place
To leave the area
When the Illinois state trooper
A police officer from Illinois
Got in my face
Got close to me
He said, 'You're on private property'
He pointed out that we were on private land
But once he cooled down, he was OK
Once he became more calm, he was no longer angry
Sometimes you're golden, man
Sometimes everything works out
That's all I got to say
This is the end of the story
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
La_Ru0921
Underrated song from one of the best albums ever. Eighties Mellencamp is the best Mellencamp.
Claire Gutridge
Agree! I'm 18 and I've been into this song since my childhood around the ages of 5, 6 and 7 and that's how long I've been a John Mellencamp fan!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍
Sotiris Bakaimis
I agree! 80s Mellencamp!!!
La_Ru0921
@Gerhard Van der Westhuizen No doubt! I just really relate to the feelings that his eighties albums evoke, everything from "Valley Of Thundering Hearts" to "Rain On The Scarecrow" to "Check It Out."
I caught his show at Blossom amphitheater, near Cleveland, in 1988, and I danced the entire time. Music with a message that you can dance to. Excellent! 🤗😁
WordUp
@Quentin Dugger I commented before reading yours. I agree, HW is just amazing. The arrangements of strings and percussion are on another level. Sometime in the future JM will be recognized as the genius he is, as we revere classical musicians today.
WordUp
80s Mellencamp was awesome, but I think Human Wheels was his best.
James Whitney
Amazing how rocking this is, with the accordion and fiddle running through it. Just loved the stanza with the IL state trooper...pure Americana and pure John Mellencamp. Keep rocking, Mr M.
Paul Burrows
F the troopers John well done
Brett Scott
Man, this makes me miss fishing directly across from downtown Richmond, VA on the James River. Amazing how big those fish were! Free food 😋
Jose Martinez
been listening to JM for 35 years, and still do Damm good music till this day. John keep the music coming.