Watch Bruce Springsteen surprise “Pink Houses” with John Mellencamp

“Pink Houses” and several other Mellencamp signature hits came out near the peak of Springsteen's career in the '80s. The rock press often compared them in ways that were not at all flattering to Mellencamp. A full-page illustration in a January 1990 issue of Rolling rock by artist CF Payne showed Woody Guthrie as a teacher in a classroom with students of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Dylan takes notes from Guthrie's lecture which Springsteen copies. Mellencamp is behind him, copying his copied notes.

In December 2019, Mellencamp and Springsteen performed “Pink Houses” and “Glory Days” together at Sting's semi-annual Rainforest Benefit. The experience gave them the opportunity to finally spend a long time together, sparking a close friendship. A few years later, Mellencamp invited Springsteen to his recording studio in Belmont, Indiana. The sessions yielded “Did You Say Sucha Thing,” “Wasted Days” and “A Life Full of Rain” for Mellencamp's 2022 LP Strictly a one-eyed Jack.

“Bruce has a wonderful way of being humble and persistent, all at the same time.” Mellencamp said Advertising sign. “He can communicate his ideas with humility and an ability to do what he wants to do. He's had his own band longer than I have, so I don't have to say, “Hey Bruce, how about…?” He says, “How about I try this?” and “How about if I try it?” And it's Bruce Springsteen — sure, give it a try.”

Mellencamp is set to ship in the coming months tour” target=”_blank”>playing shows across America. In July, he'll team up with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson for a leg of the Outlaw Music festival. Springsteen, meanwhile, continues his world tour on March 19 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The tour was put on hold in September so Springsteen could recover from a peptic ulcer. Many of the shows are makeup dates.