John Mellencamp - 'Allentown' - Billy Joel Cover

John delivers an acoustic version of Billy Joel's "Allentown" in Washington D.C. on November 19, 2014.

[dmxman]

I AM FROM ALLENTOWN IN 1975 ... MAY WE ALL REMMEBER THE HARDSHIP WE ALL SURVIED .. AND MY FAMILY WORKED THREE GENERATIONS AT BETHLEM STEEL .. MISS HOME .. BUT BILLY MADE IT CLOSE TO MY HEART AND MY DADS DADS .. WE FOUND A WAY .. TO SPREAD THE STRENGTH

[EzzysOji]

I absolutely love Mellencamp's rendition here. If you pay attention to the lyrics, the song is actually very depressing, culminating with the line: "It's hard to keep a good man down, but I won't be getting up today". Mellencamp's interpretation matches the tone and melody with the lyrics. Beautifully done.

[elliottpittam]

I really don’t understand why people are so opposed to Mellencamp’s cover of this song. I think it’s fucking amazing. The gravely, raspy tone combined with the lyrics paints such a vivid picture. Mellencamp turned it into a true ballad about the struggle of life. And as for people berating him for a supposed Springsteen imitation. Give over. Can 2 guys not have similar voices? They sing similar songs too under the Heartland genre; the struggle of the working man in America and the struggle of life generally. This cover transcended time for me. Absolutely perfect.

[buffylow]

He’s aged gracefully but so has Billy Joel there is nothing wrong with this cover and dedication to the great Billy Joel! I ❤ this song!🍀😎😇

[charlie]

Allentown is one of my favorite songs and I’ve never imagined it acoustic and this is great

[IanIsrael]

There's a little Tom Waits, little Bruce Springsteen, little Bob Dylan and some weariness of the American Dream becoming a nightmare in Mellencamp's voice. I love it.
A diff take on Billy Joel's powerful song that i approve of.

[alextownsend]

Excellent version of this very beautiful song, John.

[jamesdamico]

Great interpretation of a truly classic song

[jrawk]

Wonderful interpretation, Billy said he loved it for you dissenters out there...

[EricMartinSmithOfficial]

Wow ... Hearing it like this has a whole new meaning and feel .
Love it

[RichaRd_JeRome]

HeaRing
in HopKins 🐿️ Minnesota
FoR The First🥇Time.
ThanKs Again
LORD
FoR John
in
These Last Days ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
57
on 3\27/2023

[zerofence]

This is great. One legends tribute to another. Gave the song a new poignancy.

[brianvernon]

I had to stop listen @ 2:01 or I am going to have a legit mental breakdown. My recently passed wife is from Bloomington IN, & I’m from Huntington NY. we’ve driven by both of their houses. Love you Nat🥹

[Paddyj]

It’s very different and simple but there’s something about this version I like. It’s hard to explain what though ha

[davidmoorhead]

Interesting take on the song. Billy's version seems a little flippant, but catchy. This version seems designed to cause some distress. I'm not at all disappointed, but it's not something I could listen to again and again. Great presentation for an awards show.

[catzjazzcass]

Sir John sounds good to me . I live near Allentown, to much traffic these days.

[MrChrispy]

Mellencamp uses a fitting tone for the message and lyrics of this song. Joel has a strangely upbeat melody and beat, for rather depressing lyrics.

[petemoss]

Used to live in Allentown. Big changes, now, with millions spent. New arena, nice restaurants, gentrification. I call it lipstick on a pig.

[frank_der_einstein]

Considering the original, this sucks, but as a song on its own, I like this Dylanesque version.

[ArnoldwilliamDow]

slowing it down like this don't work. sucks actually.