"Hand to Hold on To" by John Cougar

Song#:  1241
Date:  11/06/1982
Debut:  72
Peak:  19
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  The soon-to-be Mr. Mellencamp was riding high with his biggest successes - the #1 album "American Fool" and #1 single "Jack and Diane." The pair would always remain his biggest hits on their respective charts. For an encore, this third single was lifted from the album. It wasn't a major hit, but it did become his fourth Top 20 entry.

ReduxReview:  Although I was head over heels for "Jack and Diane," this next single didn't do much to make me a real fan of Mellencamp (of course that would change later and now he is one of my all-time favorites). Although a solid tune, this sounds more like a leftover from his previous album. I didn't care for it back in the day and it is still not a favorite. For a Mellencamp song, it's a little bland.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Although not released as a single, another track from the "American Fool" album grabbed enough airplay to spend a little time on the Mainstream Rock chart. "Thundering Hearts" was able to crack the Top 40 on that chart to hit #36.  2) Mellencamp recorded several songs for possible inclusion on the album and in the end there were nine chosen. Among the recorded songs not selected was the one that inspired the album's title. The song "American Fool" was left of the final product. However, it was included as a bonus track on a 2005 reissue.

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