John Cougar Mellencamp Minutes to Memories on HQ Vinyl with Lyrics in Description

Track 4 from his eighth album "Scarecrow" released in 1985 copyright Riva Records. It was recorded at Mellencamp's Belmont Mall Studio in Belmont, Indiana and was his third to be self-produced with assistance from Don Gehman. With two successful albums under his belt, this one was also critically acclaimed and sold very well reaching No. 2 on the Billboard album chart. Five singles were released with "Small Town" and "Lonely Ol' Night" both reaching No. 6 and R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. reaching No. 2. With this album John was credited with pioneering a new sub-genre of alternative country or "No Depression" songwriting with traditional country instruments backed by the punch of rock 'n' roll. The album's theme was the fading of the American dream due to corporate greed, especially where it concerned family farms, which had been in some families for generations but were now having a hard time competing with corporate giants and their massive operations. Sadly, during this time suicides increased among farmers who saw no way out. Mellencamp took up their cause and met with Willie Nelson and Neil Young to organize the first Farm Aid benefit concert in support of family farms held in Champaign, Illinois that same year. The concerts have continued for thirty-nine years and as of 2024 have raised $80,000,000. Prior to the tour for this album fiddler Lisa Germano was invited to join the band and would be with them for four releases. The album received excellent reviews and reached No. 71 in the Netherlands, No. 14 in New Zealand, No. 9 in Sweden and No. 2 in Australia, the U.S. and Canada. It was certified 4X Platinum in Australia and 5X Platinum in the U.S. and Canada. Recorded from the original vinyl. Written by John Mellencamp & George M. Green and produced by John Mellencamp & Don Gehman. RIP Toby Myers & Louis Johnson. Featuring: John Mellencamp - Lead vocals & acoustic guitars, harmonica on "Small Town" Larry Crane - Lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars & background vocals Mike "Chief" Wanchic - Lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars & background vocals Toby Myers - Bass & background vocals Kenny Aronoff - Drums, vibes, tambourine & background vocals Special Guests: John Cascella - Keyboards A. Jack Wilkins - Sax on "Justice and Independence '85" Richard Fanning - Trumpet on "Justice and Independence '85" Laura Mellencamp - Lead vocal on "Grandma's Theme" Rickie Lee Jones - Background vocal on "Between a Laugh and a Tear" Mimi Mapes - Background vocal on "Minutes to Memories" Sarah Flint - Background vocal on "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." On a Greyhound thirty miles beyond Jamestown He saw the sun set on the Tennessee line Looked at the young man who was ridin' beside him He said, "I'm old, kinda worn out inside I worked my whole life in the steel mills near Gary And my father before me, I helped build this land Now I'm seventy-seven and with God as my witness I earned every dollar that passed through my hands My family and friends are the best things I've known Through the eye of the needle I'll carry them home (Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories) (Life sweeps away the dreams that we have planned) (You are young and you are the future) (So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can) The rain hit the old dog in the twilight's last gleaming He said, "Son, it sounds like rattlin' old bones This highway's long but I know some that are longer By sunup tomorrow I guess I'll be home" Through the hills of Kentucky 'cross the Ohio River The old man kept talkin' about his life and his times (He fell asleep with his head against the window) Said an honest man's pillow is his peace of mind This world offers riches and riches will grow wings I don't take stock in those uncertain things (Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories) (Life sweeps away the dreams that we have planned) (You are young and you are the future) (So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can) The old man had a vision but it was hard for me to follow I do things my way and I pay a high price When I think back on that old man and the bus ride Now that I'm older I can see he was right Another hot one out on Highway 11 And this is my life, it's what I've chosen to do There's no free rides, no one said it'd be easy The old man told me this, my son, I'm tellin' it to you (Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories) (Life sweeps away the dreams that we have planned) (You are young and you are the future) (So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can)