John Mellencamp’s “Small Town,” a defining anthem of heartland rock, resonated deeply with audiences upon its release in September 1985. Featured on the album “Scarecrow,” the song became synonymous with celebrating the values of family farms and the working class, achieving significant chart success and solidifying Mellencamp’s place in American music. But the story of “Small Town” lyrics begins not in grand studios, but in the humble setting of a basement laundry room, fueled by a touch of frustration and a newly acquired electric typewriter.
This article delves into the origins of “Small Town,” exploring how John Mellencamp conceived and developed this iconic song. We’ll examine the influences, the creative process, and the surprising elements that came together to create lyrics that spoke to a generation and continue to resonate today.
From Seymour, Indiana to a Songwriting Spark
John Mellencamp’s connection to small-town America is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Seymour, Indiana. Born and raised there, his early life experiences and observations became the bedrock for many of his songs, including “Small Town”. Music entered his life early; at twelve, he picked up a guitar, inspired by his older brother Joe’s involvement in high school musicals. Without formal lessons, Mellencamp developed his musical ear and instincts, learning to play by listening to the radio.
By the mid-1960s, Mellencamp was immersed in the local music scene, playing in a soul band at parties and school events. This experience exposed him to a wide range of music and also to the realities of racial prejudice, an experience that profoundly affected him. After a period in New York pursuing music and art, he signed his first record deal, albeit with label-imposed changes he disliked, including the addition of “Cougar” to his name.
Early in his career, Mellencamp struggled with songwriting, relying on covers and early originals that didn’t garner critical acclaim. Recognizing the need to write his own material to truly succeed, he began focusing on developing his songwriting skills. By the mid-80s, he had achieved mainstream success with hits like “Jack & Diane” and “Pink Houses,” establishing himself as a prominent voice in American rock music.
The Laundry Room and the Typewriter: Where “Small Town” Lyrics Began
The genesis of “Small Town” lyrics is a story of domesticity meeting creative inspiration. In 1984, while at home in Bloomington, Indiana, Mellencamp’s then-wife, Vicky, introduced him to a new electric typewriter with spell-check. This seemingly mundane event sparked the initial lyrical idea.
Alt text: John Mellencamp performing live, showcasing his signature guitar style.
Mellencamp, admittedly a poor speller, was excited about the spell-check feature, but his initial attempts to use the typewriter were met with frustration. He struggled to understand the manual and the spell-check function. In his own words, this led to a moment of self-deprecating humor: “Well, I guess I’m just a stupid hillbilly. What do I know? I was born in a small town.” This phrase, born out of a moment of lighthearted exasperation in his basement laundry room, became the cornerstone of the iconic song.
From Frustration to Anthem: Developing the Song
Picking up his Gibson Dove guitar, Mellencamp began to play with the phrase, typing and singing: “Well, I was born in a small town / And I live in a small town.” The typewriter, with its beeping spell-check flagging his errors, became an unexpected part of the songwriting process. His wife Vicky and aunt, hearing the beeps and his frustration from upstairs, found the situation humorous, further fueling Mellencamp’s creative process.
Initially a personal reflection, “Small Town” evolved into something larger. Mellencamp realized the phrase resonated with broader themes of economic hardship and the changing landscape of small-town America. He felt the song transcended his personal experience, becoming a voice for the struggles and realities faced by many small communities. This realization deepened the song’s meaning and contributed to its powerful resonance with listeners.
Arranging “Small Town” for the Stage and Studio
Mellencamp envisioned “Small Town” as a powerful, energetic rock song, not a quiet acoustic piece. He worked with his band in their rehearsal space, a converted garage, to arrange the song. He directed the band without written parts, relying on their shared musical understanding. He instructed drummer Kenny Aronoff to create a “pounding beat,” setting the rhythmic foundation for the song.
Alt text: John Mellencamp and his band delivering a high-energy performance on stage.
The song’s structure, initially verse-chorus repetitive, felt too simplistic. To add depth and variation, Mellencamp incorporated a bridge. He repurposed a verse, rewriting the melody to create a contrasting section that broke the song’s monotony and added emotional weight to the lyrics. This bridge, with lines like “No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from / I cannot forget the people who love me,” became a crucial element in the song’s dynamic and emotional impact.
“Small Town” was recorded quickly, in just a few takes. Mellencamp focused solely on vocals, with Larry Crane on lead guitar. The only later addition was John Cascella’s organ part. Initially, Cascella’s complex playing didn’t fit the song’s straightforward feel. Mellencamp guided him towards simpler, powerful chords, which ultimately enhanced the song’s anthemic quality.
The “Small Town” Music Video: A Blessing and a Curse?
To accompany the single release, a music video for “Small Town” was created. Mellencamp sought to involve the communities that inspired the song, putting out calls in Bloomington and Seymour for home movies and snapshots. The resulting video, filled with images of small-town life, became popular on MTV.
However, Mellencamp had mixed feelings about the video. While visually engaging, he felt it overly literalized the song’s lyrics, limiting individual interpretation. He believed songs should evoke personal imagery and dreams, and the video’s direct visual representation constrained the listener’s imagination, focusing attention on Mellencamp himself rather than the universal themes of the song.
“Small Town” Lyrics: Enduring Themes and Lasting Impact
The lyrics of “Small Town” explore themes of identity, community, and the changing American landscape. The song speaks to the pride and limitations of small-town life, the sense of belonging and the desire for something more. Lines like “I can be myself here in this small town / And people let me be just what I want to be” express a sense of comfort and acceptance, while acknowledging the potential for feeling constrained.
The song’s release coincided with the rise of Farm Aid, the benefit concert organized by Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, and Neil Young to support family farmers. “Small Town” became an anthem for this movement, resonating with the economic anxieties and challenges faced by rural communities. It captured a moment in American history and became a touchstone for heartland values.
Even decades later, “Small Town” remains one of John Mellencamp’s most beloved and enduring songs. Its simple yet powerful lyrics, born from a personal moment of frustration and shaped by a deep connection to his roots, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. The story of how “Small Town” lyrics came to be is a testament to the power of everyday experiences and the magic that can happen when a songwriter connects with universal themes in a truly authentic way.
