John Mellencamp Community

I was not going to post this but given the prevailing sentiment on this board that John left his family for Meg Ryan I have decided to now to clear the air. There is a song on Plain Spoken called Tears in Vain. The song is clearly written about John's breakup with Elaine and it suggests that she cheated on him, not the other way around. My wife agreed with me on this when I played the song for her. The second verse tells the tale. The complete lyrics to this song are below. You can make your own judgement. This information has to get out there so that John does not get his name smeared any longer.

Snow falling on a canebreak
Please stop howling at the moon
I got stones in my bed
Stones left there by you
 
Tears in vain I’m crying
Tears in vain over you
Guess I should know better than
To cry these tears in vain
 
Guess I could ask myself why now
As if there’s some answer known
I just sit here by myself
As you meet your friend down the road
 
Tears in vain I’m crying
Tears in vain over you
Guess I should know better than
To cry these tears in vain
 
I might write you a poem
And put it up there on the wall
I’ll re-write it until you return it to me
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
 
Tears in vain I’m crying
Tears in vain over you
Guess I should know better than
To cry these tears in vain

....Until you walk in another man's shoes.....
I can not wait to hear this entire album.  There will be many clues but no truths that we may or may not know about him.  That is what makes his music wash away the dust of my everyday life.  When I need something it is always his song. Thank you John for writing, singing and dancing. So lucky to have you in our lives.

Thanks for posting these lyrics, i've always believed John's cheating ways ended when he met and married Elaine. I know i'm in the minority, but i wish John and Meg Ryan hadn't broken up, love them both as artists and as people, and wish them both the best of luck.

@ plain spoken - nowhere do i see elaine mentioned in the song. you are making a real big statement here that is preferably in your own mind. looking back on johns history with women, speaks more of the truth. me personally i believe john did cheat on elaine and dumped his marriage/family life for meg. as far as "long distance" naw i dont think so. same thing happen to meg. so what goes around comes around. ever since they got together there has been publicity all over the internet about her. well she got what she wanted, but she cant have what doesnt belong to her.

its sad. elaine was a good wife, mother and one classy lady. i really believe that when she said her marriage vows she meant them. its so sad and stupid on johns part that he never gave elaine that chance to fulfill them. but hey thats johns style. and i wouldnt doubt it if there is already another one he has, and oh yeah theyre quietly dating and all that bs.

and i kept telling everyone here, what was gona happen, all i got was back lash. well now folks what do you think?

yeah i know im gona get rotten apples thrown at me.  but it dont take away what i have been saying the last 3 years.

Who is making a real big statement here that is preferably in their own mind?  No one really knows.....Love & Happiness

@ dusty947 - its my suggestion john stay away from women for awhile (if he doesnt have one already lined up or freinds with benefits) and go see a counselor.

I have a much better suggestion, you go see a counselor, because it's been obvious for a while that you desperately need one.

I really don't believe Elaine is the cheating type, plus John doesn't have the best track record. Even when he performs "Small Town" he blames himself. Anyway, I always thought John and Meg were odd together and sooner or later they realize that too. So all we can do is wish John the best.

I'm still a big fan and I look forward to John's new rock or not so rock album. I already preordered it so I'm just waiting. Best of luck!
 ::)

I don't know about all the rest of this stuff (and neither does anyone else posting here know for sure), but I sure do like his music............that I know for sure.

"makes his music wash away the dust of my everyday life.  When I need something it is always his song. "

Well stated...love it....!

Everytime I hear the song "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (or whatever it's titled) I think of John because that is what his songs do to me...in a good way....they tear at my heart, they bring joy to my soul, they make me FEEL.....washing away the dust....

-somedays I still don't know what to do-
Mary in Michigan

Holy Crap!!!

"Killing Me Softly With His Song" just came on the radio!!!

That's kind of a creapy Mellenmoment!!!

-somedays I still don't know what to do-
Mary in Michigan

well,  going by what he said about Meg in the press and on TV a couple weeks ago....; he still loves her wheather they are together or not ..and said she helped him, I have some problem with some stuff JM says(hes too sensitive to see trash or poor people(?),) But he said some lovely things about her.

They look to be still friends. So she cant be THAT bad and evil as some make her out to be on this board. lol In fact, she has nevercommented or talked about John to the press. Ever.

I'd like to see John and Meg get back together, they should also star in a movie together.

Perfect song except for the sha-la-la-la part.  I cringe every time.

If i'm not mistaken it lasts all of five seconds, and is never repeated again, not exactly Hey Jude. :)

My interpretation of the "sha-la-la-la-la" part:

The character has lost hope of his lover returning to him.  He has even lost hope of her returning a letter.  His thoughts are of hope that she will return a letter, but then his thoughts get so desperate and dismayed, "sha-la-la-la-la" is all can think to mutter. 

These are just my thoughts.  You are welcome to disagree.  By the way, I love Tears in Vain.

Brad S