John cougar mellencamp songs jack and diane

1982 single by John Mellencamp

This article is about the 1982 single. For the 2012 film, see Jack & Diane (film).

"Jack & Diane" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, then performing as "John Cougar." Described by critics as a "love ballad",^[4][5][6][7] this song was released as the second single from Mellencamp's 1982 album American Fool, and was chosen by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as one of the Songs of the Century.

It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 and is Mellencamp's most successful hit single.

Background and production

According to John Mellencamp, "Jack & Diane" was based on the 1962 Tennessee Williams film Sweet Bird of Youth.^[8] He said of recording the song: "'Jack & Diane' was a terrible record to make.

When I play it on guitar by myself, it sounds great; but I could never g