John Mellencamp Best Songs
On The Acoustic

Ain't Even Done With The Night was a 1981 single release from the album "Nothin Matters And What If It Did".

The song reached #17 in the US and hit #15 in Canada.

I play this one with a capo 2n fret in standard tuning. For rhythm play a 1-2-3 up down up  where 1-2-3 are arpeggio notes in the chords, then play a down down up down up down up rhythm. A little lead required in this one with the chords A, D, Gbm, E, Asus2 and a A 6/9.

Authority Song is the only song in this list from the 1984 album "Uh-huh". 

All of the other four singles peaked in the top 10 in the US but this one managed a #15 on the US charts. 

For this number I play a drop D tuning and a down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Lead required with the chords D, G and A.

Jack And Diane was a big song for John Mellencamp in 1982 when it was released as a single from the album "American Fool.

This was Mellencamps first #1 in both Canada and the US.

This one can be played in standard tuning while playing a down down down down down up down up down up and repeat pattern and then some chops and shuffles as you play thru this one. No lead in here with the chords A, Asus(maj7), D, E and a G.

Paper In Fire is from the 1987 album "The Lonesome Jubilee" and was one of 6 singles from this album.

The song was one of two number one's from this album.

I play a drop D tuning in this number while playing down strokes mostly for rhythm and then a down down up down up down up pattern. No lead but a few riffs with the chords  D, A, G and C.

Rain On The Scarecrow was one of seven singles from this album when it was released in 1986.

The song managed to hit #16 in the US. 

I play a capo 2nd fret for this one in standard tuning. This one has a few riffs with the chords Em, Em(add9), G, A, D and a C. For rhythm play a down down up down down - down down down down and repeat and use mainly down-strokes.

ROCK In The USA is from the Scarecrow album released in 1986 which released several big songs for John Mellencamp.

This one as  #2 and a #7 in Canada.

Another one with a capo 2nd fret and in standard tuning. Some lead with the chord D, G, C and A. For rhythm I play a down down up down up down up - up up down up down up and repeat pattern with some down strokes.

Someday The Rains Will Fall is not a song you'll find on any John Mellencamp album but instead is part of the TV Series NCIS. And this track is a song in season 2.

To my knowledge, the song was never released as a single.

For chords here you'll need an Em, Am, C and D but no lead. For rhythm play a root down root up down up and repeat in standard tuning.

Small Town was released from Mellencamps 8th studio album Scarecrow back in 1985. The song peaked at #6 in the US.

I play this one in G but the actual key is 4 frets higher you you'll need a capo 4th fret is using my chords to play in the original key. Play a down down up down up down up up up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. No lead in this one played in standard tuning with the five chords G, D, C, Am and Em.

Wasted Days was the lead off single from this 2022 album from Mellencamp entitled "Strictly A One Eyed Jack" with the help of Bruce Springsteen on the track and the video.

Springsteen sings on three songs from this album.

This single did not chart to the best of my knowledge.

I play a drop D tuning on this one and a capo 2nd fret is the original key. For rhythm you can play a down up down up down up with a quick shuffle. Some lead in here with the chords D, G, A, Em and a Gbm.