The year John Mellencamp took control

By 1983, John Mellencamp had finally gotten the upper hand on his career. After the success of his breakthrough album, 1982’s American Fool, he had all the cards in his deck to change the game when it came to his relationship with the music business executives who had tried to control him from the start, over six years earlier.

For his seventh studio album, Uh Huh, he did just that. Released in the fall of '83, t is the first album that bears his last name, an important step toward freeing himself of artistic shackles. Uh Huh was another success for Mellencamp on the charts, and one of its charting singles could be viewed as his mission statement: a song that encapsulates not only his battle with the folks in the corner offices who tried to dictate his career but the very spirit of the man himself. Let’s get into the story of “Authority Song” in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is an on-air host at WDRV-FM in Chicago, where she lives with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[JWCFB]

I’m 64 and I’ve collected music since I was a teenager. Uh Huh is in the top 5 albums I’ve ever heard. Love it!

[Elephant-wili]

Thank you for a fascinating backstory. Never knew about JCM's struggles with music executives. Always equated the meaning of the song predominantly with youthful rebellion against authority figures. The lines that always resonated most with me:
"You don't need no strength, you need to grow up, son. Growing up leads to growing old and then to dying. And dying to me don't sound like all that much fun."
Very thought provoking and absolutely true to life analysis by JCM.

[FrostJack-tvop]

That's what we are doing now and winning as well. Great show. perfect timing, well done . 🍀

[katk]

Another good one. Great Job presenting John's anthem for the working class. This song was spot on, especially for the 80's . Keep em coming!!!

[mattwilson]

I love Janda and these videos, but I refuse to watch a video about this turd. After his political rant caught on video where he threw a tantrum and screwed his ENTIRE audience by storming off the stage because a fan DARED to tell him to just play his music and not tell stories, I have no respect for him anymore.

[rodgerrodger]

Good morning from insane California. I saw him just once at the Oakland Coliseum during this tour. I hope all is well with you. Thanks again for another review.