Scarecrow

by John Mellencamp

Scarecrow cover art

'Scarecrow' established John Mellencamp as a major songwriting voice with its rugged, roots-rock sound that was deliberately steeped in 1960s rock traditions. The album's thematic core focuses on the decline of the American family farm and the erosion of a rural way of life, with Mellencamp's lyrics taking on a new level of narrative maturity and social consciousness. This stark subject matter was delivered through a tight, guitar-driven band performance, yielding anthemic heartland rock hits like "Small Town," "Lonely Ol' Night," and the nostalgic "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."

Genres

  • Heartland Rock
  • Roots Rock

Tracklist

  1. Rain On The Scarecrow
  2. Grandma's Theme
  3. Small Town
  4. Minutes To Memories
  5. Lonely Ol' Night
  6. The Face Of The Nation
  7. Justice And Independence '85
  8. Between A Laugh And A Tear
  9. Rumbleseat
  10. You've Got To Stand For Somethin'
  11. R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60's Rock)
  12. The Kind Of Fella I Am
  13. Small Town - Acoustic Version