Scarecrow (John Mellencamp album)

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Scarecrow
Scarecrow cover
Studio album by John Cougar Mellencamp
Released November 4, 1985
Recorded March-June, 1985, Belmont Mall, Belmont, Indiana
Genre Rock
Length 41:07
Label Riva Records
Producer Little Bastard, Don Gehman
Professional reviews
John Cougar Mellencamp chronology
Uh-Huh
(1983)
Scarecrow
(1985)
The Lonesome Jubilee
(1987)

Scarecrow is the 8th album released by John Mellencamp in November 1985. Released on Mercury Records, it peaked at #2 on the U.S. charts. It was remastered and reissued on Mercury Records on May 24, 2005, with one bonus track.

This album contained three Top 10 hits, a record for a Mellencamp album. They were "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", which peaked at #2 in the U.S., "Lonely Ol' Night", which peaked at #6, and "Small Town", which also peaked at #6.

In 1989, it was ranked #95 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s.

Contents

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by John Mellencamp, except where noted.

  1. "Rain on the Scarecrow" (Mellencamp/Green) – 3:46
  2. "Grandma's Theme" (Traditional) – 0:56
  3. "Small Town" – 3:41
  4. "Minutes To Memories" (Mellencamp/Green) – 4:11
  5. "Lonely Ol' Night" – 3:45
  6. "The Face Of The Nation" – 3:13
  7. "Justice and Independence '85" – 3:32
  8. "Between A Laugh And A Tear" – 4:32
  9. "Rumbleseat" – 2:58
  10. "You've Got To Stand For Somethin'" – 4:32
  11. "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To '60s Rock)" – 2:54
  12. "The Kind Of Fella I Am" (cassette and CD only)^ – 2:55
  13. "Small Town (Acoustic Version)" (2005 re-issue bonus track) - 4:14



^also appears as the B-side to "Lonely Ol' Night"

[edit] Band

  • John Cougar Mellencamp - vocal, guitar
  • Kenny Aronoff - drums, tambourine, vibes, backing vocals
  • Mike Wanchic - electric guitars, cameo shadow vocals
  • Toby Myers - electric bass, backing vocals

[edit] Guests

  • John Cascella - keyboards
  • Rickie Lee Jones - vocals on "Between A Laugh And A Tear"
  • Sarah Flint - background vocals on "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A."
  • Laura Mellencamp - lead vocal on "Grandma's Theme"
  • Mimi Mapes - backing vocals on "Minutes To Memories"
  • A. Jack Wilkins - saxophone on "Justice And Independence '85"
  • Richard Fanning - trumpet on "Justice And Independence '85"
  • Ry Cooder - slide guitar on "The Kind Of Fella I Am"

[edit] Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
1985 The Billboard 200 2

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year Single Chart Position
1985 "Justice and Independence '85" Mainstream Rock Tracks 28
1985 "Lonely Ol' Night" Mainstream Rock Tracks 1
1985 "Lonely Ol' Night" Billboard Hot 100 6
1985 "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." Mainstream Rock Tracks 6
1985 "Rain on the Scarecrow" Mainstream Rock Tracks 16
1985 "Small Town" Mainstream Rock Tracks 2
1986 "Small Town" Adult Contemporary 2
1985 "Small Town" Billboard Hot 100 6
1986 "Minutes to Memories" Mainstream Rock Tracks 14
1986 "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." Billboard Hot 100 2
1986 "Rain on the Scarecrow" Billboard Hot 100 21
1986 "Rumbleseat" Mainstream Rock Tracks 4
1986 "Rumbleseat" Billboard Hot 100 28