05-02-2011, 05:46
![[Image: 51HIiuT8GVL._SL500_AA300_.jpg]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HIiuT8GVL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP "scarecrow" 1985. vinyl/cd #2US, #2Aust, how come this didnt chart in the UK????
JCM, like The Boss, wrote their greatest songs when the influences came straight from the heart, and in this case, the Indiana born and raised farmer's boy felt the plight of US farmers having their properties foreclosed due to crippling interest rate rises in 1984, thus, this album could have so easily have called "trouble in the heartland"(or similar), but i guess "scarecrow" was a more universally acceptable title.
it was during this time that Cougar joined forces with Willie Nelson and Neil Young to launch "farm aid" to raise money for struggling farmers and let the world know of their plight, not all the tracks here deal with that issue but at least half of them sum up the situation perfectly.
of the 11 tracks here, 6 get*** . 3 get **. and 2 get a solitary star. this is 80s rock 'n' roll at its best without gimmics and theatrics, and is still as important today as "born in the USA'...because what has changed since then? very little im affraid!
I LOVE THIS ALBUM
worst track: the kind of fella i am
best track: justice and independance '85
tracks:
1. rain on the scarecrow*** #21US, #34Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbEk2LuQATQ live
intro:grandma's theme
2. small town*** #6US, #80Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc video
3. minutes to memories**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk54b_WWYT8 live
4. lonely ol' night*** #6US, #32Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPn8SkXrC...re=related live
5. the face of the nation***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPXPRtZCvpI audio
6. justice and independance '85***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ1wxCW72wI audio
7. between a laugh and a tear*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmNj3ZwgBUI audio
8. rumbleseat** #28US, #84Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPQy5-QPZHc video
9. you've got to stand for somethin'**
10.R.O.C.K in the USA*** #2US, #18Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ video
11.the kind of fella i am*
3s=6
2s=3
1s=2
rating 2.3
"BTO....Bachman,Turner,Overweight
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..." - Me 2014.
They were big in the 70s....for five minutes,on a Saturday,after lunch..." - Me 2014.