Scarecrow is the eighth studio album by John Mellencamp. Released in August 1985, it peaked at #2 on the U.S. chart behind the Miami Vice Soundtrack. The remastered version was released May 24, 2005 on Mercury/Island/UMe and includes one bonus track. This album contained three Top 10 hits, a record for a Mellencamp album: "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," which peaked at #2 in the U.S.; "Lonely Ol' Night," which peaked at #6; and "Small Town," which also peaked at #6. "Lonely Ol' Night" also peaked at #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, his second chart-topping single on this chart. In 1989, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Scarecrow #95 on its list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s, saying: "Scarecrow consolidated the band's rugged, roots-rock thrash and the ongoing maturation of Mellencamp's lyrics." Rolling Stone also reported that the band spent a month in rehearsals, playing a hundred rock and roll songs from the Sixties before going into the studio. According to the record's producer, Don Gehman, the idea was to "learn all these devices from the past and use them in a new way with John's arrangements."
The overall theme of the album is the fading of the American dream in the face of corporate greed. Rolling Stone wrote that songs such as "Face of the Nation," "Minutes to Memories" and "Small Town" have a "bittersweet, reflective tone." In his 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit, Mellencamp said: "With Scarecrow, I was finally starting to find my feet as a songwriter. Finally, for the first time, I realized what I thought I wanted to say in song. ...I wanted it to be more akin to Tennessee Williams, John Steinbeck, Faulkner, as opposed to The Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan."
- Rain On The Scarecrow - 3:46
- Grandma's Theme - 0:55
- Small Town - 3:42
- Minutes To Memories - 4:11
- Lonely Ol' Night - 3:44
- The Face Of The Nation - 3:13
- Justice And Independence '85 - 3:32
- Between A Laugh And A Tear - 4:32
- Rumbleseat - 2:57
- You've Got To Stand For Somethin' - 4:33
- R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60's Rock) - 2:49
John Cougar Mellencamp - Scarecrow [USED][CD]
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At Heavy Heads Records, we fully understand that when it comes to collecting vinyl records, condition is king! New vinyl records will arrive factory sealed, and in mint condition. Any used vinyl record that you order from us is guaranteed to be in VG+ condition or better, and will play all the way through without skipping! Every used vinyl record we bring in is cleaned, and thoroughly inspected, before it’s ever added to this site. Our used vinyl records are not specific to any pressing, and you may receive a vintage, or newer pressing of the title you order, depending on what we have in stock at the time of your order. The outer sleeve of your vinyl record is guaranteed to be in VG condition or better. If you’re unfamiliar with how vinyl records are graded, please take a moment to read through our condition guide.
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