Pop Singer (John Cougar Mellencamp song)

"Pop Singer"
Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album Big Daddy
B-side "J.M.'s Question"
Released April 29, 1989[1]
Format 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, CD single, cassette single, maxi single
Genre
Length 2:45
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s) John Mellencamp
Producer(s) John Mellencamp
John Cougar Mellencamp singles chronology
"Rave On"
(1988)		 "Pop Singer"
(1989)		 "Jackie Brown"
(1989)

"Rave On"
(1988)		 "Pop Singer"
(1989)		 "Jackie Brown"
(1989)

"Pop Singer" is a song by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp (then under the stage name John Cougar Mellencamp), released on April 29, 1989 from Mellencamp's tenth studio album Big Daddy. Mellencamp wrote the song himself, in response to how the music industry was attempting to hide his "real" image, which included adopting one of his previous stage names, Johnny Cougar. The single was moderately successful worldwide, reaching number one in Canada and New Zealand, number eight in Australia, and number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Background

In a 1987 interview with Creem, Mellencamp said, "The most crucial thing for me is that I want it to be real."[2] Referring to his false image in his early years as a musician, Mellencamp was upset with the choices his manager made, including performing under the stage name "Johnny Cougar".[2] Mellencamp wanted to focus solely on his music and not his image, so he began to exert more control over his musical career. As a result, he avoided common practices that musicians undertake, including meet-and-greets and radio station concerts. Many fans appreciated this change of style, particularly the devotion he had to his work.[2]

Mellencamp wrote "Pop Singer" in the midst of a divorce with Victoria Granucci, at which point he began to analyze what he had become as a musician, referring to his image as a "monster" in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.[3] He also claimed, "Things were changing. Everybody was having to kiss everybody's ass. If you want to be on MTV, then come here and do this. All these backroom deals were getting made. I was like, 'I don't want any part of this.'"[3]

Track listings

7" Single

  1. "Pop Singer" – 2:45
  2. "J.M.'s Question" – 3:38

Europe 12" Single

Side A

  1. "Pop Singer" – 2:45

Side B

  1. "J.M.'s Question" – 3:38
  2. "Like a Rolling Stone" (Live) – 6:27

Europe Maxi/CD Single

  1. "Pop Singer" – 2:45
  2. "J.M.'s Question" – 3:38
  3. "Like a Rolling Stone" (Live) – 6:27
  4. "Check It Out" (Live) – 4:45

Charts

References

  1. ↑ "Pop Singer / J.M.'s Question". Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "Pop Singer by John Mellencamp". Songfacts. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 "John Mellencamp: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – John Cougar Mellencamp – Pop Singer". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6367." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – John Cougar Mellencamp – Pop Singer". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "Charts.nz – John Cougar Mellencamp – Pop Singer". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "John Mellencamp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "John Mellencamp Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  11. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "End Of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
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