Jake Owen’s newest release, ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane),’ fits perfectly into his repertoire. Although Owen did release his ‘Greatest Hits‘ album last year, the single is his first new music since his 2016 album, ‘American Love.’ ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane)’ features a delivery very typical of Jake Owen with comparable diction to his previous hits, ‘Beachin’ and ‘Real Life.’ For anyone who is familiar with Jake Owen’s performances, it is natural to picture him strutting across the stage barefoot and smiling confidently while singing this song.
Not only does this single feel a bit familiar because it is characteristic of Jake Owen’s style, but, if you haven’t already guessed it, it is a recreation of John Mellencamp’s 1982 American classic, ‘Jack and Diane.’ John Mellencamp was not shy in announcing his support of Jake’s newest endeavor, posting “Jake Owen got the blessing to release ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane)’ from John Mellencamp Check it out!” John Mellencamp was even credited as a contributor alongside songwriters Tommy Cecil, David Wray, Jody Stevens and Craig Wiseman.
‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane)’ adopts the chord structure from the original and features a very similar Oh Yeah. The nostalgia is taken up a notch because Jake sings from Jack’s perspective looking back in time juxtaposed to Mellencamp’s version which is set in the present. The tense change feels very fitting considering the 16-year-olds in the original song would now be 52. A reminder of the original message, Oh yeah, life goes on, Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone.
Do you close your eyes? Does it make you laugh? Do the memories take you back? Six packs and a Chevy Cheyenne, Way back, when I was Jack and you were Diane, is a chorus that we all can relate to as we age. Any music lover has songs that remind them of a specific era, relationship, or event in their lives and this song appeals to that. In addition “I Was Jack (You Were Diane) picks up on the all American feel that is a hallmark of country music and ‘Jack and Diane’. With the lyrics, Blue jean halo hanging off the limb, Two American kids just like them, Every time they played, And it blew us away, it is clear the song is meant to represent the all American kid reminiscing.
Jake Owen isn’t the only country artist giving a nod to Mellencamp in his music. Keith Urban’s ‘John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16’ features Mellencamp’s alias and Old Dominion asks I wonder if Jack and Diane ever made it in their recent hit ‘No Such Thing As A Broken Heart.’ If this song truly is ‘Jack and Diane’ part 2, then it would appear that they didn’t, but I’m sure this won’t be the end the story for America’s favorite couple.
If you are hoping to see Barefoot Jake on tour this summer, currently his only New England show is on July 20th at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.
Favorite Lyrics: We were singing every word on the radio, Kinda like the songs could save our souls.
You can buy ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane)’ on iTunes or listen on Spotify.