American Fool
Encyclopedia
American Fool is the sixth album by John Mellencamp
, released under the stage name
John Cougar in 1982
. This was Mellencamp's last album to be released under the name John Cougar. His next album, Uh-Huh
, would be released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp. The album was Mellencamp's commercial breakthrough, reaching number one on the Billboard 200
chart in 1982. According to a 1983 article in the Toledo Blade, the song "Danger List" originated when Mellencamp heard his guitarist Larry Crane playing some chords in a basement rehearsal room. "I turned on the tape recorder and sang 30 verses," Mellencamp explained. "I just made them up. Then I went and weeded out the ones I didn't like."
, except where noted
Singles
Charted album tracks
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
, released under the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
John Cougar in 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
. This was Mellencamp's last album to be released under the name John Cougar. His next album, Uh-Huh
Uh-Huh
Uh-Huh is an 1983 album by John Cougar Mellencamp, a stage name for John Mellencamp. It was Mellencamp's seventh album and the first in which he used his real last name. It charted at #9 on the Billboard 200....
, would be released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp. The album was Mellencamp's commercial breakthrough, reaching number one on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart in 1982. According to a 1983 article in the Toledo Blade, the song "Danger List" originated when Mellencamp heard his guitarist Larry Crane playing some chords in a basement rehearsal room. "I turned on the tape recorder and sang 30 verses," Mellencamp explained. "I just made them up. Then I went and weeded out the ones I didn't like."
Track listing
All songs written by John MellencampJohn Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
, except where noted
- "Hurts So GoodHurts So Good"Hurts So Good" is a song from 1982 by the American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, then performing as John Cougar. The song was a number two hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for the singer. It was the first of three major hit singles from his 1982 album American Fool...
" (Mellencamp, George M. GreenGeorge Green (songwriter)George Michael Green was an American songwriter. His compositions included the Top 10 Billboard hits "Crumblin' Down" and "Hurts So Good" , as well as another Canadian Number 1 hit in "Key West Intermezzo ".- Biography :Green was John Mellencamp's long-time writing...
) – 3:42 - "Jack & Diane" – 4:16
- "Hand to Hold on To" – 3:25
- "Danger List" (Mellencamp, Larry Crane) – 4:28
- "Can You Take It" – 3:35
- "Thundering Hearts" (Mellencamp, Green) – 3:40
- "China Girl" (Joe New, Jeff Silbar) – 3:34
- "Close Enough" – 3:38
- "Weakest Moments" – 4:07
- "American Fool" (2005 re-issue bonus track) – 3:46
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "Hurts So Good" | Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
2 |
| Cash Box Top 100 Singles | 1 | ||
| 1982 | "Jack and Diane" | Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| Cash Box Top 100 Singles | 1 | ||
| 1982 | "Hand to Hold On To" | Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
| Cash Box Top 100 Singles | 22 |
Charted album tracks
| Year | Title | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "Hurts So Good" | Billboard Top Tracks | 1 |
| 1982 | "Jack and Diane" | Billboard Top Tracks | 3 |
| 1982 | "Thundering Hearts" | Billboard Top Tracks | 36 |
Personnel
- John Cougar - vocal, guitar
- Larry Crane - guitar
- Mick RonsonMick RonsonMichael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
- guitar, vocals, arrangements - Mike Wanchic - guitar
- Kenny AronoffKenny AronoffKenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
- drums, percussion - George Perry - bass