John Cougar Mellencamp in the 80's

1982's John Cougar's breakout album, American Fool, was successfully both commercially and musically. American Fool sped up the charts to number one. Both the hits, "Hurts So Good" and the number one single "Jack & Diane," both had legendary videos that played on MTV. After The success of American Fool John Cougar added "Mellencamp" to his stage name, and 1983's Uh-Huh became the first album credited to John Cougar Mellencamp. Released while American Fool was still high on the charts, Uh-Huh became a hit, peaking at number nine and unleashed favorite hits like "Crumblin' Down" and "Pink Houses," and "Authority Song."

Critics fell for Mellencamp's 1985 album Scarecrow. Socially conscious as well as eclectic, Scarecrow peaked at number two and generated the Top Ten singles "Lonely Ol' Night," "Small Town," and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." Following the release of Scarecrow, Mellencamp became an active as an advocate of the American farmer, and eventually organizing Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.

In 1987 came the release of The Lonesome Jubilee. Mixing folk and country, Mellencamp's album peaked at #6 on the charts and spun out hits like , "Paper in Fire," "Cherry Bomb," and "Check It Out."