Nothin' Matters and What If It Did

by John Cougar, John Mellencamp

Overview

One year after John Cougar's "I Need a Lover" gave him his first hit single, Cougar released Nothin' Matters and What If It Did, an album that began to unravel his fondness for small-town simplicity and the pride inherited from being brought up in America's heartland. Each song from the album characterizes Cougar's non-threatening, rebellious farm-boy attitude, from the Springsteen-like overtones of "Wild Angel" to the pleading gentleness of "Don't Misunderstand Me." "This Time," carried through with its jubilant, bouncy pace and countrified vocal style, hit number 27 in 1980, with the sultry yet rustic innocence of "Ain't Even Done with the Night" climbing ten spots higher as the album's second single. A good feel for Cougar's passive yet warm approach to rock & roll can be found on Nothin' Matters, even within the lyrics of minor efforts like "Hot Night in a Cold Town" or "To M.G." Following this album was his monumental American Fool release, a solid package for Cougar and one that Nothin' Matters played the prototype for. [This version of the album includes the bonus track "Latest Game."] ~ Mike DeGagne

Product Details

Release Date:	03/29/2005
Label:	Island / Mercury
UPC:	0602498801390
Rank:	910

Tracks

1. Hot Night in a Cold Town
2. Ain't Even Done with the Night
3. Don't Misunderstand Me
4. This Time
5. Make Me Feel
6. To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
7. Tonight
8. Cry Baby
9. Wild Angel
10. Peppermint Twist
11. Cheap Shot
12. Latest Game

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Cougar   Primary Artist
John Mellencamp   Primary Artist
Susan Helmer   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Kenny Aronoff   Drums,Percussion,Vibraphone
Larry Crane   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
John Jarvis   Piano
David Woodford   Saxophone
Mike Wanchic   Guitar,Vocals
Doc Rosser   Piano
Ed Greene   Drums
Jeff Baxter   Pedal Steel,Guitar (Steel)
Rick Shlosser   Drums

Technical Credits

John Cougar   Composer
John Mellencamp   Composer
Richard Littlefield   Composer
Steve Cropper   Producer
Dee Robb   Mixing
Robyn Hitchcock   Composer
Bruce Robb   Mixing,Producer
Henry Glover   Composer
Edith Masey   Cover Model
Geoffrey Cushing-Murray   Composer
Geoff Cushing   Composer
Jimmy Wachtel   Design,Photography
Traditional   Composer