Get A Leg Up

The song "Get A Leg Up" by John Mellencamp from the 1991 album Whenever We Wanted is a gritty, sensual rocker that marked a return to his raw, heartland rock roots. Inspired by a fan’s comment on a South Carolina beach, Mellencamp crafted the song after hearing that his recent albums lacked the provocative edge of his earlier work. The fan remarked, “I loved your last two records, but there wasn’t one thing about sex on either one of them,” prompting Mellencamp to revisit the bold, lustful themes of hits like “Hurts So Good.” In David Masciotra’s book Mellencamp: American Troubadour, Mellencamp explained that he consciously leaned into a lighter, more direct vibe with lyrics like, “You know I ain’t that handsome, but you know I ain’t shy,” nodding to Bob Seger’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” The song’s video, directed by Jonathan Kaplan, featured paintings by Mellencamp himself, who briefly considered a career as a painter before music took over. The shoot also introduced him to model Elaine Irwin, who became his wife in 1992 after they reconnected during the Whenever We Wanted tour.

The track’s playful narrative centers on a date that takes an unexpected turn when the woman whispers, “Get a leg up, boy,” leading to a night of surprises, including a reference to “Lucky Pierre,” a cheeky nod to a risqué scenario. “Get A Leg Up” hit #1 on Billboard’s Album Rock Tracks chart and #14 on the Hot 100, helping the album go platinum. Mellencamp later described the album as an attempt to rewrite his 1982 breakthrough American Fool with better lyrics, a sentiment echoed in a 1991 Houston Chronicle interview where he said he “just wanted to get back to the basics.” Fans on platforms like Reddit have praised the song’s raw energy, with some calling it a standout for its “Jagger-esque snarl” and the tight interplay of guitarists Mike Wanchic and David Grissom, backed by drummer Kenny Aronoff’s powerhouse beats.

John Mellencamp, born October 7, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana, began his music career in the mid-1970s under the stage name Johnny Cougar, a moniker forced upon him by his early management for marketing purposes. Growing up in a small town, he was drawn to rock and roll, influenced by artists like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and the Rolling Stones. After a rebellious youth, he moved to New York City in 1974, landing a deal with MCA Records. His early albums, like 1976’s Chestnut Street Incident, flopped, but he persevered, gradually gaining traction with 1979’s John Cougar. His big break came with 1982’s American Fool, featuring chart-toppers “Hurts So Good” and “Jack & Diane.” By 1983, he had enough clout to add his real surname, becoming John Cougar Mellencamp, and by 1991’s Whenever We Wanted, he dropped “Cougar” entirely, cementing his identity as a heartland rock icon.

Mellencamp’s career spans over four decades, with 14 Top 20 hits in the U.S. and a record seven #1s on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart by a solo artist. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, he’s known for blending traditional instrumentation with socially conscious lyrics, though “Get A Leg Up” leans more toward fun than his heavier themes of poverty or rural struggle. Beyond music, he’s an accomplished painter, with works influenced by German Expressionism, as noted on his official website, mellencamp.com. His art, like his music, reflects a raw, human focus.

Fans can connect with Mellencamp through his official social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. His website, mellencamp.com, offers tour dates, art, and news. Dedicated fan communities thrive online, including the John Mellencamp Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks might share their love for “Get A Leg Up.” Another fan hub, Mellencamp’s Official Fan Club, provides exclusive content and updates. These platforms keep the spirit of Mellencamp’s music alive for fans spinning his records at THE ZOO.