Is Jack and Diane the Most Depressing Song Ever?

At Seventeen is a real downer.

Don't all rock songs assume that the teenage years are the best time ever and it's all downhill from there?

R2 to an extent I suppose. But Jack and Diane is so blatant about it. The only one I could think of even worse was that aural atrocity 1985 by Bowling for Soup.

The truth hoits.

In the same vein, Springsteen's Glory Days is pretty damn depressing as well.

Also, different subject matter but Tracy Chapman's Fast Car.

He left out the opioids. It’s practically Here Comes The Sun.

Yes. The only thing they sucked on were chili dogs outside the Tasty Freeze.

That fucking song was played relentlessly through the early/mid '80's and could not have been more stupid and alien sounding to this gayling. High school was fucking pathetic and a waste of time, and even a 17 year old me knew it meant nothing, and was merely the beginning of life. Straight people peaking in high school has to be the saddest existence of all.

A lament for the basic slobs who live in shabby middle America. “Little Pink Houses” is another one.

That’s the point of the song.

I was a kid when “Jack and Diane” was popular and remember thinking the song was about older generations. (The Bobby Brooks reference.) I remember being so relieved that things would be different for me!

S/b Bobbie Brooks

I like this version and you will too.

The guy's cute, looks like he's in the closet tho.

Brender and Eddie -- Billy Joel

John “Cougar” Mellencamp isn’t the same to me after seeing his vile daughter on RHOBH

Tracey Chapman stole that guitar riff for her song FAST CAR

It's a great song. What's depressing is how truthful it is even 40 years later.

It would suck no matter what the lyrics are. Annoying and monotonous.

Mine is probably "My Hometown" by Bruce Springsteen, but I'm from New Jersey.

"A Bad Dream" by Keane.

R16 someone posted here ages ago that the entire family including John were unpleasant assholes. I recall the sons getting into some trouble a couple years back as well.

R19 Yes the melody is hideous and Mellencamps flat dull voice certainly doesn't add any zest.

Ever? No.

I think "Cat's in the Cradle", "One Tin Soldier", "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", and Elvis' "Don't Cry, Daddy" are far worse.

[quote]Mellencamp is a bigger downer than all of the depressive posters here.

He was John Cougar when "Jack & Diane" was released... not to be confused with Johnny Cougar or John Cougar Mellencamp.

Um, hello?

He was a bit overrated.

Tracy Chapman Fast Car

[quote]The only thing they sucked on were chili dogs outside the Tasty Freeze.

Tastee Freez

My God, if I thought that my life wouldn't get any better when I was sixteen I would have hung myself.