John Mellencamp celebrates his birthday today and we celebrate HIM!  The Classic Hits artist from Indiana has been giving us hit after hit that we recognize instantly and never stop singing.

Here’s 10 of our fav’s…

• Cherry Bomb (1987) – Mellencamp reminisces about being a teen through this song that turns into a memorable duet with Pat Peterson.

• R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (1986) – A love letter America and music in the ’60s, Mellencamp’s theme has become a staple for celebrations every 4th of July.

• I Need a Lover (1978) – What are we looking for in our significant other?  John Mellencamp sums down a wish list to one simple request…

• Authority Song (1983) – This song that discourages rebellion kicks off with an instantly recognizable guitar riff and leaves us with a reminder, “Authority ALWAY wins.”

• Pink Houses (1983) – An honest critique and love song to America that (according to Mellencamp) literally started with a black man with a black cat.  In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mellencamp said, “He waved and I waved back… That’s how ‘Pink Houses’ started.”  Ain’t that America?

• Jack and Diane (1982) – This little ditty is often considered Mellencamp’s best; it’s definitely his most successful single.  This love ballad makes us all want to hold on to to 16 as long as we can…

• Hurts So Good (1982) – Mellencamp came up with the title before writing the song and held onto it because he really liked the the phrase, “Hurts So Good.”  The Grammy’s thought this song was SO GOOD, as it earned Mellencamp a Grammy of his own!

• Lonely Ol’ Night (1985) – A song custom made for two lonely people like me and you, Lonely Ol’ Night was actually inspired by a scene from the 1963 film “Hud” starring Paul Newman.

• Small Town (1985) – Doesn’t matter if you were born and raised in the city: THIS song makes you appreciate, and maybe even want to live in, a small town.  This is often considered an anthem for the American working class.

• Wild Night (1994) – Mellencamp covered the classic song by Van Morrison, really making it his own!  The single featured singer Me’Shell Ndegeocello.