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Big Daddy is the tenth studio album by John Mellencamp, released in 1989 by Mercury Records. It was his last album to be released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp, a combination of his real name and his original stage name of Johnny Cougar. The album peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and contained the singles "Pop Singer" and "Jackie Brown" which peaked at number fifteen and forty eight respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. A re-mastered version of the album was released on May 24, 2005, and contains a bonus acoustic version of Jackie Brown. Like The Lonesome Jubilee, Big Daddy is folk-inspired as violins and fiddles (among other instruments) are significantly utilized on a number of tracks. The album's lyrics largely take a serious tone and the album as a whole is regarded by some as Mellencamp's most reflective.
[edit] Lyrical themes
Mellencamp continues his pattern of social commentary used on The Lonesome Jubilee on a number of tracks on the album. "Jackie Brown" addresses the issue of poverty and stimulates images of the hardships faced by those living in poverty. A lyric in the song's final verse which reads "...But who gives a damn about Jackie Brown? Just another lazy man who couldn't take what was his" seems to indicate that Mellencamp believes the issue of poverty to be correlated to the general public and the reluctance to show interest in developing resolutions. "Country Gentleman" is another social commentary addressing Ronald Reagan's presidency and policies. In the song, Mellencamp continually states that it is not Reagan's interest to help the poor, but rather only his "rich friends". "J.M.'s Question" is a broad social commentary addressing many diverse issues prevalent in the United States including the contamination of the environment and violence stemming from the constitutional right to bear arms among other issues. "Void In My Heart" is reflective song regarding Mellencamp's position as an acclaimed singer and as one who has worked hard to make it but still he confesses "There's a void in my heart I can't seem to fill". "Big Daddy of Them All" is the account of a parental authority figure whose selfish womanizing ways have led to his downfall. "Martha Say" is an account of a stubbornly independent woman whose ways lead Mellencamp to caution her to "look out". The album takes a less serious tone on two tracks, the first of which titled "Pop Singer" is a clarification of Mellencamp's identity (he sings that he "never wanted to be no pop singer"). The song seems to describe Mellencamp's evolution from a young man who was manipulated by former manager Tony DeFries in the late 1970s into a strong-minded, independent musician. Let It All Hang Out" is the second less serious song and is a cover of the Hombres; it was unlisted on the original album's packaging.
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by John Mellencamp, except where noted.
- "Big Daddy Of Them All" – 3:31
- "To Live" – 3:18
- "Martha Say" – 3:41
- "Theo And Weird Henry" – 4:49
- "Jackie Brown" – 4:03
- "Pop Singer" – 2:48
- "Void In My Heart" – 2:30
- "Mansions In Heaven" – 3:06
- "Sometimes A Great Notion" – 3:33
- "Country Gentleman" – 3:17
- "J.M.'s Question" – 3:40
- "Let It All Hang Out" (B.B. Cunningham/McEwen/Master/Hunter) – 3:11
- "Jackie Brown (Acoustic Version)" ((2005 re-issue bonus track) - 4:24
[edit] Personnel
- John Cougar Mellencamp - vocals, guitar
- Larry Crane - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
- Kenny Aronoff - drums, percussion, background vocals
- Mike Wanchic - electric guitar, bass, dobro, background vocals
- Toby Myers - bass guitar, background vocals
- John Cascella - accordion, keyboards
- Lisa Germano - violin
- Pat Peterson - background vocals
- Crystal Taliefero - background vocals, percussion
[edit] Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)[1]
| Year |
Chart |
Position |
| June 17, 1989 |
The Billboard 200 |
7 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)[2]
| Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
| 1989 |
"Pop Singer" |
The Billboard Hot 100 |
15 |
| 1989 |
"Pop Singer" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
2 |
| 1989 |
"Martha Say" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
8 |
| 1989 |
"Jackie Brown" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
20 |
| 1989 |
"Jackie Brown" |
The Billboard Hot 100 |
48 |
| 1989 |
"Jackie Brown" |
Top Country Singles Chart |
89 |
[edit] Sources
[edit] External links
- ^ Billboard.com - Discography - John Cougar Mellencamp - Big Daddy
- ^ Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - John Mellencamp
