Pink Houses

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Written by: Mellencamp
Produced by: Little Bastard, Don Gehman
Released: Oct. '83 on Riva
Charts: 16 weeks
Top spot: No. 8

In 1984, Ronald Reagan tried to use "Pink Houses" for a campaign ad, not noticing the bitter heartland rage under the cheery chorus. Mellencamp refused -- although he played it at John Edwards' nomination party this year. Recorded in a farmhouse in Brownstown, Indiana, the song was inspired by an old man "sitting on the porch of his pink shack," Mellencamp told ROLLING STONE. "He waved, and I waved back. That's how the song started."

Appears on: Uh-huh (Mercury)

Next: Push It

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