At the time John Mellencamp was known as "John Cougar", a name change by his management that he was not aware of until after the fact. His 1982 LP "American Fool" included Jack & Diane (John Mellencamp) inspired by Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird Of Youth". This demo is from the 2010 box set "On The Rural Route 7609".

"Jack & Diane" proved to be one of John Cougar Mellencamp's biggest hits. The single hit number one on Billboard and other Amewrican national charts while reaching the same goal in Canada. The single was the follow-up to "Hurts So Good" from the album "American Fool" which topped the Billboard chart for nine weeks.