''Whenever We Wanted'' is American singer-songwriter and musician

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his catchy brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrument ...

's 11th album, and the first to be credited simply to Mellencamp's given name (i.e., without the "Cougar" name). The album reached the top 20 and went platinum. It includes the hits "Get A Leg Up" (#1 for three weeks on the

Album Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock is a music chart in ''Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock. The chart was launched in Ma ...

chart), "Now More Than Ever" (#3 on the

chart), "Last Chance" (#12 on the

chart), and "Again Tonight" (#1 for two weeks on the

chart). "Get A Leg Up" (#14) and "Again Tonight" (#36) also cracked the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. ''

Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...

'' gave the album a positive review, stating: "To Mellencamp's credit, even though 'Whenever We Wanted' delivers his signature rock & roll punch, he doesn't try to. That Mellencamp still has the courage to make depressing assessments in a pop context is a victory that outweighs the record's other shortcomings." Mellencamp later said the album was an attempt to "write ''

American Fool ''American Fool'' is the fifth studio album by John Mellencamp, released under the stage name John Cougar in 1982. The album was his commercial breakthrough, holding the No. 1 position on the ''Billboard'' album chart for nine weeks. A remastere ...

'' with better lyrics" after a fan mentioned the previous two albums "had nothing about sex on them." This inspired him to write less about problems in the

heartland Heartland or Heartlands may refer to: Businesses and organisations * Heartland Bank, a New Zealand-based financial institution * Heartland Inn, a chain of hotels based in Iowa, United States * Heartland Alliance, an anti-poverty organization i ...

and "get back to the basics."

Album notes

The woman featured on the cover with Mellencamp is

Elaine Irwin Elaine Irwin (born August 26, 1969) is an American model. She was the face of Almay Cosmetics and Ralph Lauren. Early life and career Elaine Irwin was born in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania. She left home when she was 16 to pursue a modeling care ...

. The cover photo was taken during the shoot for the video for the hit single "Get a Leg Up." The video was shot in July 1991; Mellencamp and Irwin did not see each other again until January 1992 when the Whenever We Wanted Tour pulled into New York City. They become a couple a short time later and were married in September 1992. They separated in September 2010 and were divorced in 2011. After his previous two albums, ''

The Lonesome Jubilee ''The Lonesome Jubilee'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, credited as John Cougar Mellencamp. The album was released by Mercury Records on August 24, 1987 (see 1987 in music). Four singles were released fro ...

'' and ''

Big Daddy Big Daddy may refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Big Daddy (''BioShock''), a heavily armored adversary in the ''BioShock'' video game series * Big Daddy (Transformers), a character from ''Transformers'' * A character in the Tennesse ...

'', featured such non-traditional rock instruments as the accordion and violin, Mellencamp said that on ''Whenever We Wanted'' he wanted to put those instruments "back in their cases" and return to a harder-edged sound. Mellencamp further elaborated on the album, saying: "It's very rock 'n' roll. I just wanted to get back to the basics."

Track listing

All songs written by

, except where noted. # "Love and Happiness" – 3:53 # "Now More Than Ever" – 3:43 # "I Ain't Ever Satisfied" – 3:36 # "Get a Leg Up" – 3:47 # "Crazy Ones" (Mellencamp, Randy Handley) – 4:01 # "Last Chance" – 3:39 # "They're So Tough" – 4:17 # "Melting Pot" – 4:47 # "Whenever We Wanted" – 3:42 # "Again Tonight" – 3:17 # "Love and Happiness (London Club Mix)" (2005 re-issue bonus track) – 6:33

Personnel

* John Mellencamp – vocals, guitar, hand percussion * Kenny Aronoff – drums, percussion, vibes * Mike Wanchic – guitar, background vocals *

Toby Myers Toby Myers, born Jeffrey G. Myers on September 26, 1949, is an American bass player best known for recording and touring with John Cougar Mellencamp as the bass guitarist. Myers was raised in the Indianapolis, Indiana area where he attended art sc ...

– bass guitar, background vocals *

David Grissom David Grissom is an American guitarist who has played and toured with several of America's leading bands and recording artists. He is best known for his work with John Mellencamp. He has released four solo albums: ''Loud Music'', ''10,000 Feet ...

– guitars * John Cascella – Hammond B-3, accordion, penny whistle, Farfisa Organ *

Pharez Whitted Pharez Whitted is an American jazz trumpeter and educator from Indianapolis. Biography Born in Indianapolis, Whitted grew up in a family of musicians that included his mother, Virtue Hampton Whitted, his aunt Dawn Hampton, and his uncle Slide ...

– trumpet on "Love And Happiness" and "Whenever We Wanted" *Jay Healy – engineer, mixing

Charts

Certifications

References

{{Authority control John Mellencamp albums 1991 albums Mercury Records albums