Human Wheels
Encyclopedia
Human Wheels is the 12th album released by American
singer-songwriter
and musician John Mellencamp
in 1993. Released on Mercury Records
, it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200
. The single "What If I Came Knocking" was Mellencamp's last No. 1 single on the Album Rock Tracks chart, staying atop for two weeks in the summer of 1993.
The title track was borne out of a poem Mellencamp's friend George Green
wrote as a eulogy delivered at the grave site upon the death of his grandfather. “He had no intention of using it as a song,” Mellencamp said in a 2008 interview with the Bloomington Herald Times. “He had me read it and I said, ‘These are the best lyrics you ever wrote.’ He said, ‘They’re not lyrics’ and I said ‘I can make them lyrics.’ I took it and kind of cut it up and wrote the chorus.”
The album is dedicated to band member John Cascella, who died unexpectedly about halfway through production.
, except where noted.
Singles - Billboard (North America)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and musician John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
in 1993. Released on Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. The single "What If I Came Knocking" was Mellencamp's last No. 1 single on the Album Rock Tracks chart, staying atop for two weeks in the summer of 1993.
The title track was borne out of a poem Mellencamp's friend George Green
George Green (songwriter)
George Michael Green was an American songwriter. His compositions included the Top 10 Billboard hits "Crumblin' Down" and "Hurts So Good" , as well as another Canadian Number 1 hit in "Key West Intermezzo ".- Biography :Green was John Mellencamp's long-time writing...
wrote as a eulogy delivered at the grave site upon the death of his grandfather. “He had no intention of using it as a song,” Mellencamp said in a 2008 interview with the Bloomington Herald Times. “He had me read it and I said, ‘These are the best lyrics you ever wrote.’ He said, ‘They’re not lyrics’ and I said ‘I can make them lyrics.’ I took it and kind of cut it up and wrote the chorus.”
The album is dedicated to band member John Cascella, who died unexpectedly about halfway through production.
Track listing
All songs written by John MellencampJohn Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
, except where noted.
- "When Jesus Left Birmingham" – 5:16
- "Junior" – 4:08
- "Human Wheels" (Mellencamp/GreenGeorge Green (songwriter)George Michael Green was an American songwriter. His compositions included the Top 10 Billboard hits "Crumblin' Down" and "Hurts So Good" , as well as another Canadian Number 1 hit in "Key West Intermezzo ".- Biography :Green was John Mellencamp's long-time writing...
) – 5:33 - "Beige to Beige" – 3:52
- "Case 795 (The Family)" – 5:15
- "Suzanne and the Jewels" – 3:55
- "Sweet Evening Breeze" – 4:51
- "What If I Came Knocking" – 5:05
- "French Shoes" – 3:41
- "To the River" (IanJanis IanJanis Ian is an American songwriter, singer, musician, columnist, and science fiction author. Ian first entered the folk music scene while still a teenager in the mid-sixties; most active musically in that decade and the 1970s, she has continued recording into the 21st century...
/John Vezner/Mellencamp) – 3:33 - "When Jesus Left Birmingham" (2005 re-issue bonus track) - 3:58
Personnel
- John Mellencamp - vocals, guitar
- Kenny AronoffKenny AronoffKenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
- drums, percussion - David GrissomDavid GrissomDavid Grissom is a US session guitarist who has played and toured with several of America's leading bands and recording artists.- Professional Biography :...
- guitars, mandolin, bass - Lisa GermanoLisa GermanoLisa Germano is an American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has released seven albums featuring her often-hushed vocal style, confessional lyrics, and distinctive violin. Her 1994 album Geek the Girl received widespread critical acclaim, including being featured as a top album of...
- violin, mandolin, penny whistle, zither, background vocals - Toby Myers - bass, background vocals
- Pat Peterson - background vocals, accordion, maracas
- Mike Wanchic - guitars, dobro, dulcimer, background vocals
- Malcolm BurnMalcolm BurnMalcolm Burn is a Canadian-born music producer, recording engineer and musician. In 2001, he won a Grammy Award with Jim Watts and Emmylou Harris for his work on Harris's Red Dirt Girl. -Biography:...
- organ, guitar, hormonica, synthesizer - John Cascella - accordion, organ, background vocals, penny whistle, melodica
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| September 25, 1993 | The Billboard 200 | 7 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "When Jesus Left Birmingham" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 35 |
| 1993 | "What If I Came Knocking" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 1 |
| 1993 | "Human Wheels" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 48 |
| 1993 | "Human Wheels" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 2 |