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.
To Washington
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scandal in the White House
An election is what we need
From coast-to-coast to Washington
So America voted on a president
No one kept count
On how the election went
Goddamn, said one side
And the other said the same
Both looked pretty guilty
But no one took the blame
From coast-to-coast to Washington
So a new man in the White House
With a familiar name
Said he had some fresh ideas
But it's worse now since he came
From Texas to Washington
And he wants to fight with many
And he says it's not for oil
He sent out the National Guard
To police the world
From Baghdad to Washington
What is the thought process
To take a humans life
What would be the reason
To think that this is right
From Heaven to Washington
From Jesus Christ to Washington
John Mellencamp's song "To Washington" highlights the political unrest, corruption, and war that marked the early 2000s in America. The opening lines, "Eight years of peace and prosperity, Scandal in the White House, An election is what we need," allude to the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the need for change in American politics. The song's chorus, "From coast-to-coast to Washington," emphasizes the need for change on a national level, from ordinary citizens to politicians in the nation's capital.
The song goes on to criticize the 2000 presidential election, with lines like "No one kept count, On how the election went, From Florida to Washington." This is a reference to the disputed results in Florida that ultimately led to George W. Bush being declared the winner despite losing the popular vote. Mellencamp then criticizes Bush's presidency, "And he wants to fight with many, And he says it's not for oil, He sent out the National Guard, To police the world, From Baghdad to Washington." These lyrics are a clear statement against the Iraq war, which many saw as an unjust and unnecessary conflict.
Finally, the song ends with a reflection on the morality of warfare and the role of religion in politics. Mellencamp asks, "What is the thought process, To take a human's life, What would be the reason, To think that this is right, From Heaven to Washington, From Jesus Christ to Washington." These lines are a call to question the ethics of war and the justification for taking human life, even in the face of political conflict.
Overall, "To Washington" stands as a powerful critique of American politics and war in the early 2000s. It is a call for accountability, morality, and change in the nation's political system.
Line by Line Meaning
Eight years of peace and prosperity
The last eight years have been relatively peaceful and prosperous.
Scandal in the White House
There has been a scandal in the White House.
An election is what we need
An election is necessary to address the current state of affairs.
From coast-to-coast to Washington
The entire nation is affected and needs to take action.
So America voted on a president
The American people cast their votes for a new president.
No one kept count
It is unclear if the election was conducted fairly and accurately.
On how the election went
The outcome of the election is unknown.
From Florida to Washington
The election was contentious in Florida and remains uncertain.
Goddamn, said one side
One side expressed their frustration and dissatisfaction.
And the other said the same
The other side echoed similar sentiments.
Both looked pretty guilty
Both sides appeared to have behaved wrongly.
But no one took the blame
No one took responsibility for their actions.
So a new man in the White House
A new president, with a familiar name, takes office.
With a familiar name
The new president has a familiar family name.
Said he had some fresh ideas
The new president claimed to have new and innovative ideas.
But it's worse now since he came
The situation has deteriorated since the new president took office.
From Texas to Washington
The new president is from Texas and has affected the entire country.
And he wants to fight with many
The new president is eager to engage in conflict with various nations.
And he says it's not for oil
The new president claims the conflict is not motivated by oil interests.
He sent out the National Guard
The new president deployed the National Guard to enforce his policies.
To police the world
The new president intends to assert control over the entire world.
From Baghdad to Washington
The conflict affects both Baghdad and the United States.
What is the thought process
What motivates people to take the life of another human being?
To take a humans life
The act of taking another life is a serious and weighty decision.
What would be the reason
What justification could there be?
To think that this is right
What could make someone believe this is the correct course of action?
From Heaven to Washington
From a heavenly perspective, Washington's actions may be seen as unjust or harmful.
From Jesus Christ to Washington
If Jesus Christ were here, he may have a different opinion of Washington's actions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RetroSoulGirl
John! I'm a 15 year old girl but I LOVE all the stuff you sing! Speak your mind, John, that's who you are! Your music opens doors that many others cannot see! That's why I love you, you stay true to yourself and you're not ashamed of it. You are a hero to me! Not just your music, but YOU as a person! YOU are everything I've ever wanted in a person- you are who I aspire to be- you are everything I NEED to be. You're John Mellencamp, okay? Enough said.
Foley
Great work, as usual John. The boys at Ft. Bragg say hey and thanks for all that you do.
Jason Carpp
This is why I like John Mellencamp. Keep up the good work. :)
Alex Townsend
@LoveJesusNotReligion I heard him talking about it to Dan Rather and then I heard it on here and I find it amazing!!! One of John's best tunes. John Mellencamp is one of the greatest American singer/songwriters of all time!!
Alex Townsend
@luckydan99 I saw that he performed for the troops at Walter Reed when he was on Dan Rather Reports. He really is an American Hero. I also respect his work with Farm Aid. What's your favorite song of his? I know this one is in my top 10.
Foley
The Ike quote is so meaningful right now. (as they all are)
calipendence
John! JUST DO IT! Go to Washington this year and show Bayh what he should have been doing all of these years to work for the people!
Alice Christianson
Mellencamp for president. :-)
Alex Townsend
I vote for him!!
Alex Townsend
@bigwatto95 That's why it sounds awesome!!