Review: John Mellencamp surprises, delights fans with beloved but rarely played hits
<p>John Mellencamp has spent years seeming to resist his own legacy. Despite lodging roughly two dozen charting singles into the hearts of devoted fans, he has taken a measured approach to deploying the hits during performances. The forward-thinking artist regularly acknowledges his successes, but it’s evident that he doesn’t want to live among them in the past.</p><p>So, Saturday’s visit to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre for the “Dancing Words Tour” was a surprise. The performance in Tinley Park was the series’ second stop.</p><p>The 74-year-old Indiana native has indicated that he’s “stepping out of line” for this greatest-hits show. Selections included nothing from Mellencamp’s last three albums, including 2023’s acclaimed “Orpheus Descending.” The singer has hinted that many popular songs will go back into the cupboard following the month-long sprint.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-b60000" name="image-b60000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/46c943d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/78bbe93/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1849e0e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="MELLENCAMP_260713_020.jpg" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1849e0e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/db4238a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1849e0e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+239/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdc%2Fb8%2F0b9e33dc49f19366f415829590a9%2Fmellencamp-260713-020.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The 74-year-old Indiana native John Mellencamp has indicated that he’s “stepping out of line” for this greatest-hits show. He performed at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Saturday, July 11, 2026. </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Wearing a plain white T-shirt and holding a lit cigarette, Mellencamp walked onstage and led his eight-piece band in a New Orleans-styled stroll through “Lawless Times.” The song from 2014’s “Plain Spoken” album was an expression of mistrust of the powers that be. A line rewritten to criticize ICE earned a raucous response.</p><p>Despite his undeniable popularity, the singer identified himself as a perpetual outsider and claimed kinship with a crowd assumed to be full of likeminded rebels. “I’m here for the misfits, the mavericks and the non-conformists,” he said.</p><p>A trio of songs from 1985’s “Scarecrow” ignited the concert. Anthem of rural pride “Small Town,” the reflective “Minutes to Memories” and soulful “Lonely Ol’ Night” were pulled in sequence from the album.</p><p>Fare including “Cherry Bomb” exhibited Mellencamp’s unique blend of rock, folk, country, R&B and soul. A retooled “Ain’t Even Done with the Night” leaned into Mellencamp’s devotion to crooners like Sam Cooke.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-790000" name="image-790000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b564043/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7710c07/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47f9b95/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="MELLENCAMP_260713_009.jpg" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47f9b95/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8289263/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47f9b95/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+46/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd9%2F32%2F92d85ba14d5990451a92631c54dc%2Fmellencamp-260713-009.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Mellencamp led his eight-piece band through “Lawless Times,” from 2014’s “Plain Spoken” album, an expression of mistrust of the powers that be. A line rewritten to criticize ICE earned a raucous response.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Messages to the next generation like “Walk Tall” and “Your Life is Now” echoed Woody Guthrie. The stirring folk anthem “Our Country” urged unity in the face of the economic division and unrest portrayed in the hard-bitten “Love and Happiness.”</p><p>Mellencamp’s reluctance to play populist events stems from distaste for reducing himself to self-described status as a cheerleader at a party. Nonetheless, he has conceded that a tour designed to delight fans might even bring himself happiness in the process. The singer proved his willingness to please while leading the packed pavilion in singing and clapping in time to beloved chestnuts like “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”</p><p>“I haven’t sang this song in 25 years,” said Mellencamp when introducing his 1979 breakthrough hit “I Need a Lover.” The audience joined the singer for the kiss-off lyric “hey, hit the highway” before a bristling saxophone solo by longtime collaborator and Billy Joel band member Crystal Taliefero. Accompanied by John Gunnell’s bubbling bass, Taliefero joined Mellencamp hand-in-hand for a duet of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night.” The friends shared a brief kiss at the song’s conclusion.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-bf0000" name="image-bf0000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a071d81/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e42296/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f096feb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="MELLENCAMP_260713_022.jpg" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f096feb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2e64262/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f096feb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+178/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F02%2F61%2Fb4f5ec014b60922a6e4aaf1ea702%2Fmellencamp-260713-022.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>John Mellencamp ripped through a 26-song set list that included many of his greatest hits. </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>The band was strong at all positions. Pianist and accordionist Troye Kinnett traded lines with violinist Lisa Germano to thrilling effect on “Paper in Fire.” Guitarist and 50-year sideman Mike Wanchic weaved a heightened sense of foreboding and gothic gloom into “Rain on the Scarecrow” with its depiction of hard times for family farmers.</p><p>Dane Clark’s muscular drumming propelled guitarist Andrew York’s gritty twang during “Authority Song,” which introduced three consecutive songs from 1983’s “Uh-Huh” album. The defiant “Crumblin’ Down” and the cynical but paradoxically buoyant “Pink Houses” followed.</p><p>The only misstep was reducing “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)” to a spare acoustic trio, depriving the song of its intoxicating richness. By contrast, 1982 chart-topper “Jack & Diane” was stripped further but became even larger. Mellencamp played the song alone on stage with his acoustic guitar. The pavilion reverberated as his sandpaper voice combined with the crowd, who sang every note.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-6e0000" name="image-6e0000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/987cd5f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2006ff3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6e00085/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="MELLENCAMP_260713_003.jpg" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6e00085/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8ee45e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6e00085/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+187/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F13%2Fe2%2F208f6e0d43bbaf4df936fce817bf%2Fmellencamp-260713-003.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>From left: Pianist Troye Kinnett, guitarist Andrew York, violinist Lisa Germano, John Mellencamp and drummer Dane Clark perform during the “Dancing Words Tour” at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on Saturday, July 11, 2026. </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>True to his dancing words, Mellencamp delivered 140 minutes of familiar classics. His motivation remained unspoken, but the pugnacious and principled artist has never seemed like the type to do something just for money.</p><p>Perhaps his aim was to let his grandchildren see grown women and men “hold onto 16” while making a fuss over his celebrated catalog. Perhaps it was a grateful acknowledgement of a loyal audience and gathering the nerve to “tell your best buddy that you love him,” as Mellencamp sang so wistfully during “Check It Out.” Whatever the reason, Mellencamp’s bond with his audience was reinforced on Saturday.</p><p>York’s snarling chords announced the final song “Hurts So Good,” ending the show at fever pitch. Mellencamp indeed sent fans home happy, and that’s no crime.</p><hr><p></p><h3>SET LIST </h3><p><u>Set 1:</u></p><p>Lawless Times<br>Small Town<br>Minutes to Memories<br>Lonely Ol’ Night<br>Paper in Fire<br>Human Wheels<br>Walk Tall<br>R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to ’60s Rock)<br>Love and Happiness<br>Our Country<br>Check It Out<br>Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)<br>Jack & Diane</p><p><u>Set 2:</u></p><p>I Need a Lover<br>Thank You<br>Your Life Is Now<br>Wild Night (Van Morrison)<br>Ain’t Even Done with the Night<br>Pop Singer<br>Rain on the Scarecrow<br>What If I Came Knocking<br>Authority Song<br>Crumblin’ Down<br>Pink Houses<br>Cherry Bomb<br>Hurts So Good</p>