John Mellencamp

Lyrics

[Intro]
Hey!

[Verse 1]
He was born on the fourth day of July
So his parents called him Independence Day, yeah
He married a girl named Justice
Who gave birth to a son called the Nation
And she walked away
Independence would daydream and he'd pretend
That some day him and Justice and Nation'd be together again
But Justice held up in a shotgun shack
Wouldn't let nobody in
So the Nation cried

[Chorus]
Oh, oh
When a Nation cries
His tears fall down like missiles from the skies
Justice look into Independence's eyes
Can you make everything alright?
And can you keep your own Nation warm tonight?

[Verse 2]
Well, Nation grew up and got himself a big reputation
Couldn't keep the boy at home, no no
He just kept running 'round and around and around and around
Independence and Justice well they felt so ashamed
When the Nation fell down they argued who was to blame
And Nation if you'll just come home we'll have this family again
Oh, Nation don't cry
[Chorus]
Oh, oh
When a Nation cries
His tears fall down like missiles from the sky
Justice look into Independence's eyes
Can you make everything alright?
Can you keep your Nation warm tonight?

[Outro]
Roll a rock around the country, yeah yeah
Everybody come along
When you're feelin' down, yeah yeah
Just sing this song, yeah yeah
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la na na
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la na na
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la na na
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la na na
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la na na
Ah la la la la la la la
Ah la la la la la la naEmbed

John Mellencamp, also known as John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, painter and actor who has received several awards and nominations for his music. From political tracks to rock songs, Mellencamp has produced a diverse range of music that has been appreciated worldwide. One of Mellencamp's most notable tracks is "Justice and Independence '85". This song was one of the lead tracks on his 1983 album “Uh-Huh” which went on to become 4 times platinum within the United States!

About Justice and Independence ’85

"Justice and Independence '85" is a politically charged song that highlights some of the social issues that existed in America in the mid-1980s. The song is a clear expression of Mellencamp's frustration with the then American society and the distance between the rich and poor. The lyrics talk about the struggle for economic survival among people, which Mellencamp had witnessed through his own experiences in his home state, "Indiana". The song's relevance is still evident today with the economic helplessness of many Americans, especially after the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The song can be interpreted to address the biggest issue of American society; the struggle for social and economic independence. Mellencamp expresses his concerns about the people's welfare and their rights to a fair shake in life—opposing the idea of social injustice, and making a point that some people are born privileged and others are not.

With a catchy, upbeat melody and stirring lyrics, "Justice and Independence '85" became one of Mellencamp's most popular tracks in the mid-1980s. Mellencamp opens the track with the lyrics, "There's a black man with a black cat living in a black neighborhood He's got an interstate runnin' through his front yard You know he thinks that he's got it so good And there's a woman in the kitchen cleaning up the evening slop And he looks at her and says, 'Hey darling, I can remember when you could stop a clock.'" These lyrics reflect his observations of the unequal distribution of power and stability in the United States. 

The track is heavy on guitar and strong percussion, giving it a more rock-inspired feel. Mellencamp's vocals are passionate, creating a sense of urgency and intensity in the song. The song also features a memorable solo, which gives it a classic rock feel, and makes it easy for listeners to remember years later.

One of the most interesting things about the track is the way it became synonymous with one of America's most successful baseball teams, the New York Mets. "Justice and Independence '85" was reportedly played repeatedly by the Mets throughout their magical season, making it the team's unofficial anthem throughout the baseball season. This popular song, alongside the team's success, motivated the team's fans to cheer loudly and proudly.

The Bottom Line

"Justice and Independence '85" is an iconic track that showcases Mellencamp's ability to address societal problems using well-crafted lyrics woven into an engaging melody. Mellencamp's observations of the struggles of the masses in the mid-1980s to gain their independence and achieve social and economic justice ring out with a sense of immediacy that is both timeless and haunting. Through this song, Mellencamp has showcased the power of music to raise collective consciousness.

Even with its turbulent production history, "Justice and Independence '85" remains one of Mellencamp's most beloved tracks and continues to resonate with new and long-time fans over three decades later, a testament to its staying power and timeless message.

• Release Date: 1985
• Artist: John Mellencamp