John Cougar Mellencamp - Small Town

"Small Town" is a 1985 song written by John Mellencamp and released on his 1985 album Scarecrow. The song reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #13 Adult Contemporary. Mellencamp wrote the song about his experiences growing up in a small town in Indiana, having been born in Seymour, Indiana, and living in Bloomington, Indiana, which, at the time of the release of the song, was larger. The music video has references to both towns. In 2013, Mellencamp told Rolling Stone, "I wanted to write a song that said, 'You don't have to live in New York or Los Angeles to live a full life or enjoy your life.' I was never one of those guys that grew up and thought, 'I need to get out of here.' It never dawned on me. I just valued having a family and staying close to friends."