You Never Knew What These Misunderstood Songs Were Really About

‘Pink Houses’ – John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp wrote “Pink Houses” as a rebuke of early 1980s Reaganomics, and the conservative “greed is good” culture of the time. However, its uplifting music and “Ain’t that America” chorus often has led to the song being misunderstood as a simple patriotic tune.

Those who’ve misunderstood the song include conservative political candidates and organizations who’ve used the song only to receive public rebuke from the staunchly liberal Mellencamp.