John Mellencamp’s Early Recordings as Johnny Cougar Get Compilation

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John Mellencamp’s mid-1970s recordings, some of which appeared on his debut studio album for MCA in 1976, are being issued as a 2-CD set, along with rare bonus tracks and 10 previously unreleased recordings. The collection, Johnny Cougar: American Dream (The Mainman Recordings 1976-1977), arrives on April 3, 2026, via the Lemon imprint of Cherry Red Records. It’s available to order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here (where it arrives on March 27).

From the label’s announcement: Having been signed by impresario and former Bowie manager Tony Defries in the mid-late 1970s, Johnny Cougar set about recording the wealth of original compositions and cover versions that would comprise both his debut album, Chestnut Street Incident, and the later, Kid Inside (released after the commercial breakthrough American Fool LP). Under Defries’ tutelage, Cougar’s trademark blue collar, heartland rock identity began to take shape, making this compilation a vital study in the formative years of a future star.

Including songs originally recorded by Bowie, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Elvis and The Doors, alongside original compositions, and featuring previously unreleased material long thought lost, American Dream pulls together both albums recorded during the period alongside the non-album US Male EP and ten previously unheard demos, early mixes, alternate versions and the electro funk of “I Just Wanna Be Black.” The complete track listing is below.

The set includes new sleeve notes and previously unseen imagery from the Mainman archive. Mellencamp is touring in 2026. Tickets are available here and here.

Johnny Cougar: American Dream (The Mainman Recordings 1976-1977) Track Listing
DISC ONE
CHESTNUT STREET INCIDENT
1 American Dream
2 Oh Pretty Woman
3 Jailhouse Rock
4 Dream Killing Town
5 Supergirl
6 Chestnut Street
7 Good Girls
8 Do You Believe In Magic?
9 Twentieth Century Fox
10 Chestnut Street Revisited
11 Sad Lady
U.S. MALE EP**
12 2000 A.D.
13 Lou-ser
14 Hot Man
15 Kicks (Gulcher Version)
SKIN IT BACK PT 1
16 Skin It Back (Acoustic Version)
17 The Man Who Sold The World
18 Little Heroes
19 Hit The Road Jack
20 Kicks
ALBUM OUT-TAKES
21 Jailhouse Rock (Demo Mix/Alternate Guitar Solo)*
22 Chestnut Street (Alternate Version #1)*
23 Chestnut Street (Alternate Version #2)*
24 Sad Lady (Alternate Mix/Alternate Vocal)*
25 The Man Who Sold The World (Early Version)*
26 Little Heroes (Early Version)*

DISC TWO
THE KID INSIDE
1 Kid Inside
2 Take What You Want
3 Cheap Shot
4 Sidewalks And Streetlight
5 R. Gang
6 American Son
7 Gearhead
8 Young Genocides
9 Too Young To Live
10 Survive
SKIN IT BACK PT 2.
11 Last Of The Big Time Spenders
12 I Need Somebody Baby
13 The Whore
14 When I Was Young
15 Skin It Back (Instrumental)
ALBUM OUT-TAKES
16 I Just Wanna Be Black*
17 Gearhead (Alternate Electric Version)*
18 I Need Somebody (Demo Mix/Scratch Vocal)*
19 I Just Wanna Be Black (Demo Mix/Alternate Vocal)*
*previously unreleased
**first time on CD