John Mellencamp: Jack and Diane Meaning

Song Released: 1982

Jack and Diane Lyrics

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

Suckin' on chili dog outside the Tastee Freeze
Diane's sittin' on Jacky's lap
He's got...

1. Shitty_Shitbird

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   Jun 8th 2018 !⃝

   I see this song as a prequel to Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days, Jack the smalltown sports hero, Diane the prettiest girl in school. I have known people who married their highschool sweetheart and adulthood wasn't as kind to those relationships as when they were teenagers, divorce was practically inevitable. But on a summer night after hanging out with your friends at the drive-in, some heavy breathing with your girl at the local parking/make out spot, the possibilities seem endless. I think about my highschool gf everytime I hear this song.
2. anonymous

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   Dec 24th 2017 !⃝

   A song about a high school couple falling in love, Mellencamp wrote "Jack & Diane" as a tribute to life in the rural working class. The inspiration was his hometown of Seymour, Indiana, which had a population of about 13,000 when it was released. The song has a very nostalgic feel, but paints a picture of a couple whose best years will soon be behind them. In a 1982 interview with The LA Herald Examiner, Mellencamp explained: "Most people don't ever reach their goals, but that's cool, too. Failure's a part of what you're all about anyway. Coming to terms with failed expectations is what counts. I try to write about the most insignificant things, really. I mean, someone who picks up a copy of Newsweek, then sits down and writes a song about the troubles in South America – who cares? What's that song telling us that we don't already know? Write about something that matters to people, man." at songfacts
   Not all meet the love of their life while they were in HIGHSCHOOL! Life is exciting, meaningful, enjoyable, worth living whatever your AGE is right now! With SOMEONE or with NO SOMEONE! Excitement should not be lost when you are in MIDDLE AGE or OLD AGE! LIVE YOUR LIFE IN ANY AGE!
   - LIVING MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT THAT'S FREEDOM FOR ME AND FREEDOM FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THEIR LIFE THEIR OWN WAY!
3. anonymous

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   Dec 24th 2017 !⃝

   Life is only exciting, meaningful, enjoyable and worth living let's say before, the realization that the boring, downhill living hell of seeing the second half and death is now what you're going to experience and only have as your life! Live while your young! Middle-age, and old age ain't much to get excited about!

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