Jack and Jill
Various Artists Lyrics


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Little ditty about Jack and Diane
Two American kids growin' up in the heartland
Jackie gonna be a football star
Diane debutante backseat of Jackie's car

Suckin' on chili dogs outside the tastee freeze
Diane's sittin' on Jackie's lap
He's got his hand between her knees
Jackie say, hey, Diane
Let's run off behind a shady trees
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
Let me do what I please
Say a

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
Say a
Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
They walk on

Jackie sits back
Reflects his thoughts for the moment
Scratches his head
And does his best James Dean
Well you know, Diane
We oughta run off to the city
Diane says, baby
You ain't missin' nuth-in
Jackie, say-a

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
Oh yeah, I say, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone

Gonna let it rock
Let it roll
Let the Bible Belt come
And save my soul
Hold on to sixteen as long as you can
Changes come around real soon
Make us women and men

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
Oh yeah, I say, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin' is gone





Little ditty about Jack and Diane
Two American kids done the best they can

Overall Meaning

The song "Jack and Diane" by John Cougar Mellencamp, now known as John Mellencamp, describes the experiences of two American teenagers named Jack and Diane who are growing up in the heartland. Jack dreams of becoming a football star while Diane is a debutante who is often found in the backseat of Jack's car. Jack and Diane are sitting outside the Tastee Freeze, sucking on chili dogs, while Jack puts his hand between Diane's knees. He convinces her to go behind some shady trees so that he can have his way with her.


However, Mellencamp's lyrics also acknowledge that life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone. Jack and Diane eventually grow up and come to the realization that they need to move on from their teenage years. Jack suggests they should run off to the city, but Diane is content with their current situation. Despite their divergent thoughts, Mellencamp encourages listeners to embrace change and hold on to sixteen as long as possible before the inevitability of adulthood.


Line by Line Meaning

Little ditty about Jack and Diane
Telling a small story of a couple named Jack and Diane


Two American kids growin' up in the heartland
Two teenagers from the midwestern region of the US


Jackie gonna be a football star
Jackie wants to be a successful football player


Diane debutante backseat of Jackie's car
Diane is a young woman attending high society events and is sitting in the back of Jackie's car


Suckin' on chili dogs outside the tastee freeze
Eating chili dogs outside of a fast food restaurant called Tastee Freeze


Diane's sittin' on Jackie's lap
Diane is now sitting on Jackie's lap


He's got his hand between her knees
Jackie's hand is between Diane's legs


Jackie say, hey, Diane
Jackie speaks to Diane


Let's run off behind a shady trees
Jackie wants to go behind some trees where the couple can be alone


Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
Diane should remove her tight pants


Let me do what I please
Jackie asks for permission to do what he wants


Say a
An exclamation to show excitement or encouragement


Oh yeah, life goes on
Life goes on despite any particular momentary excitement


Long after the thrill of livin' is gone
The rush of excitement diminishes


They walk on
The couple continues their journey


Jackie sits back
Jackie takes a moment to relax


Reflects his thoughts for the moment
Jackie thinks about the present situation


Scratches his head
Jackie is confused or thinking carefully


And does his best James Dean
Jackie tries to act cool like the iconic actor James Dean


We oughta run off to the city
We should go to the city


Diane says, baby
Diane calls Jackie affectionately


You ain't missin' nuth-in
You're not missing anything


Gonna let it rock
Going to let things happen and enjoy the moment


Let it roll
Let everything flow


Let the Bible Belt come
Refers to the conservative Christian communities in the southern US


And save my soul
A desire for salvation


Hold on to sixteen as long as you can
Enjoy being young as much as possible


Changes come around real soon
Changes or transitions in life are inevitable


Make us women and men
The changes will make them mature and grown up


Two American kids done the best they can
The couple tried their best as two teenagers in America




Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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