• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
    • Upcoming Concerts
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Jake Owen Rejuvenates Mellencamp Classic On New Single

February 28, 2018/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Jake Owen is paying homage to a heartland classic on his brand new single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” which reunites Owen with producer Joey Moi and marks his first release for Big Loud Records. The singer got the thumbs up from Mellencamp himself on the new track, which was important to him as he went about reinventing the rock and roll gem.

“I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” evokes a warm-weather romance set to one of rock’s essential classics, John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane.” Based around the 1982 hit’s iconic melody, Owen reinvents the feel-good rock staple a bit.

“I never release a song without the intention of stepping up to the plate and knocking it out of the park,” said Owen. “When I first heard ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane),’ I thought, ‘How can I do this and re-create what is already a classic song?’ But the more I listened to it, the more I saw my own life growing up. The original ‘Jack & Diane’ was about ‘two American kids growing up in the heartland’ and that image is exactly what so many country songs are based on. Plus, the most important thing to me and my team is that we sent the song to Mellencamp and he digs the track. Getting his stamp of approval sealed the deal for me that this song should be our debut single.”

Along with the new single Owen has recorded a breezy new tune, “Something to Ride To,” that is also being released to all digital music partners today.

He’s set to launch his 2018 “Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour” with special guests Chris Janson and Jordan Davis this Summer with the majority of shows taking place at baseball stadiums across the country.

Youtube video
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)
  • Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey Distillery & Museum Set To Open June 25 - June 12, 2026
  • Opry Pays Tribute To Don Williams At Special ‘Opry 100 Honors’ Show - June 12, 2026
  • Origins Music Group Hosts Inaugural OMG Summer Block Party - June 12, 2026
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
0 0 Lorie Hollabaugh https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Lorie Hollabaugh2018-02-28 11:06:572018-02-28 11:06:57Jake Owen Rejuvenates Mellencamp Classic On New Single
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…) June 12, 2026
  • Midland Comes Full Circle On ‘Stages’ [Interview] June 12, 2026
  • Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey Distillery & Museum Set To Open June 25 June 12, 2026
  • Lineup Unveiled For ‘CMA Fest Presented By SoFi’ TV Special June 12, 2026
  • Opry Pays Tribute To Don Williams At Special ‘Opry 100 Honors’ Show June 12, 2026
  • Taylor Swift Makes Billboard Country Airplay Chart History June 12, 2026
  • Vince Gill Unveils Eighth EP In ’50 Years From Home’ Series June 12, 2026
  • Jason Scott & The High Heat Make Grand Ole Opry Debut June 12, 2026
  • Brad Tursi Unveils Sophomore Solo Album ‘Colorado’ June 12, 2026
  • Origins Music Group Hosts Inaugural OMG Summer Block Party June 12, 2026

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2026 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top