Songfacts®:

• This song celebrates the freedom and opportunity in America. Mellencamp acknowledges that the American people still have problems with poverty and bigotry, but he feels the common man will continue to make America great.
• Long before this was officially released, it was used in commercials for the Chevrolet Silverado. This was unusual, as Mellencamp had never let his song be used for commercial purposes, and had spoken out against the practice. He changed his mind because it became so difficult for him to get his music heard, as radio stations and MTV generally ignore older artists and record companies don't promote them well. The Chevy campaign gave him the opportunity to present the song to a very large audience.
• During the 2008 US presidential campaign, John McCain used this song at his events while campaigning for the Republican nomination. Mellencamp, who supported the Democrat John Edwards, sent a letter to the McCain camp in which his publicist asked, "If you're such a true conservative, why are you playing songs that have a very populist pro-labor message written by a guy who would find no argument if you characterized him as left of center?" McCain stopped using the song. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bertrand - Paris, France