John Mellencamp – Small Town

General CommentOne of the things I love about this song is that it captures a sense of place, belonging and community that he identifies with small towns. But that feeling is not limited just to small towns.

I grew up in a large Midwestern city that is full of neighborhoods that people describe as being a lot like small towns...multiple generations living close by, friends who gre up together and know each other their whole lives, etc. I think this line captures that sense of community perfectly:

"I cannot forget where it is that I come from. I cannot forget the people who love me. Yeah I can be myself here in this small town and people let me be just what I want to be."

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  @GeneralDisorder

General CommentI love this song! It perfectly describes the advantages of a small town. The sense of individuality, and freedom from being judged by people. THe thing about a small town is that there are so little people, that everyone knows everyone and is close with them because there aren't many people to be close to. There's less gossip, hate, crime, traffic, noise... It feels more FREE.

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  @SuperAnne
  -1

  i like this song. small towns = more gossip and more judgments. you can hide in big cities or blend in. but i wish i had grown up in melloncamps small town

  Flag spinachsaladon October 14, 2011  

General CommentSmall towns are definitely what you make of them - if you live in a town, well even if you live in the city, if youre not involved in the community, and if you dont have friends and family and people you love and care about there then chances are youre gonna hate it and want to get out. then it becomes a whole 'the grass is greener on the other side' which is a situation its very easy to find yourself in, i know i'm feeling that now... its very easy to blame an entire town and the people in it... but yeah so evidently the city will provide more opportunity, especially nowadays, but you wont necessarily be happier. which is not really the message of this song, its not really comparing the city to the small town, its just mellencamp's reflection on his roots really...probably more simple than i think. but you can never be quite sure with songwriters, they tend to have a hidden meaning in many of their songs, or little clues that suggest that the song holds deeper meaning for them.

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  @thirsty_thursday

General CommentThis song mnakes me appreciate my small town all the more

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  @lantic

My InterpretationI am the same age as Mellencamp. I also grew up in a small town. This song is so special to me. There's one line in it that really sticks with me "But my bed is in a small town. Oh, and that's good enough for me." Now, I am retired. I live in a big town. There are several niceties that I could indulge in, but I don't. I think it's because my simple life is "good enough for me". a very special song.

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  @john150338

General CommentThe beautiful thing about Mellencamp's lyrics in many songs, but especially this one, is that they're so simple and straightforward, but they're still poetic. The meaning in this song is obvious, but I just wanted to comment on it because I love it so much! It talks about the amazing experience of being from a small town. There is more money in big cities, and there are more "opportunities," as defined by our culture, but the opportunities to find love and friendship are unparalleled in small towns. I'm from small town Indiana, and this song couldn't be a more accurate description of my childhood. I went to a big-name university out of state, but I can't wait to get back to my roots! I'm so proud that he has come back to small town Indiana, and I'm looking forward to doing the same.

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  @sunshinegirl

General CommentMakes me want to move to a small town and forget the hassles of business life.

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  @tradrrr

General CommentThis was the campaign theme song for Senator John Edwards (D-NC) for his failed 2004 presidential campaign. Edwards is a native of the small town of Robbins, North Carolina and this song fit into his theme of "two Americas".

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  @Blue387

General Commentit's fitting cuz mellencamp is from a small town in indiana

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  @flaminmofo

General CommentI'm from a small town in Wisconsin, and I can definately relate to this song as well. I could pick apart this whole song and relate it to things in my hometown, but I don't want to bore anyone. :)

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  @brewercrazy