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As American as John Mellencamp, Chevrolet and War

I was watching the first game of the World Series. Ostensibly as a way of paying tribute to the great American game, John Mellencamp and band came out to home plate to perform his new song “Our Country” before the National Anthem.

It was a little jingoistic; a little sappy but enough John Mellencamp to make it work. Lines like “from the east coast to the west coast” made it ring enough like Woody Guthrie, our mutual hero. Nothing I’d thunder to my computer and download, but a nice song from the gutsy populist when the people of America could perhaps use a shot of populism in our collective arms.

Then between innings I heard the opening bars of the song again, with lots of pictures of wholesome Americans filmed against typically American backdrops. Within 15 seconds I thought to myself “This looks too much like a car commercial.” My nightmare came true; it’s the theme to a new ad campaign for Chevrolet. John Mellencamp has sold out. Again.

I’ve liked John Mellencamp since the 1980’s. You might recall that he began the decade as “Johnny Cougar.” Then he became John Cougar Mellencamp, and as his populist message grew along with his record sales, he dropped the Cougar altogether. I’ve always enjoyed his brand of Americana. He shows the good and bad in America and exalts the common man. All this from the former corporate product. I’m down with that.

But the other night “Our Country” took on a horrible new face. I was at a local minor league hockey game, and they played a tribute to American vets on the jumbotron. The images were of brave American soldiers fighting in Iraq. The music accompanying the grand visions of our occupying force? “Our Country.”

I want to believe deep in my heart of hearts that it was the misguided sense of patriotism of the local jumbotron guy who put this tribute together. If that’s NOT the case, John Mellencamp’s selling out is much more insidious than the soundtrack to a Chevrolet commercial.

I’d hate to believe that any disciple of Woody Guthrie could put his stamp of approval on this war. I’d hate to believe that John Mellencamp really thinks Iraq is “Our Country.”

Comment!

Am I expecting too much of John Mellencamp?

Must every artist compromise their integrity for the sake of the audience?

Technorati Tags: World Series, John Mellencamp, Our Country, Woody Guthrie, Chevrolet, Americana