For about 20 strong peak years, John Mellencamp enjoyed a run that delivered 13 studio sets (during the peak era), and 15 singles that include “Jack and Diane”, “Hurts So Good”, “R.O.C.K. In The USA”, “Small Town” and more. Over that time, Mellencamp has sold well over 50 million albums. One of those is Scarecrow. Scarecrow was issued in 1985, sold over fifteen million copies worldwide, and enjoyed a run of five singles, three of them in the Top 10.
On November 4, Mercury Records will revisit Scarecrow in a newly remastered/remixed set that will collect the original album along with demos, rough mixes, and acoustic versions of songs found on Scarecrow. A Blu-ray Audio inclusion will feature 2022 remix in Dolby Atmos Hi-resolution Stereo along with the bonus tracks. The swag will be the original 7″ single sleeve of “Small Town”, a richly designed booklet with notes, photos, and essay, poster, and a lithograph.
Scarecrow will be reissued on a massive 2CD/BD/LP Box, a 2CD version, DD, 1LP black vinyl, and a Limited Edition 1LP that includes a 12″ x 12″ lithograph. The ‘writer’s demo’ of “Small Town” found in the new set can be heard below.
Scarecrow (2022 Remaster/Remix) – John Cougar Mellencamp
CD1 (Original Album 2022 Remix)
01 Rain On The Scarecrow
02 Grandma’s Theme
03 Small Town
04 Minutes To Memories
05 Lonely Ol’ Night
06 The Face Of The Nation
07 Justice And Independence ’85
08 Between A Laugh And A Tear
09 Rumbleseat
10 You’ve Got To Stand For Somethin’
11 R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock)
12 The Kind Of Fella I Am
13 Small Town (Acoustic Version)
CD2 (Bonus Tracks)
01 Under The Boardwalk (2022 Mix)
02 Lonely Ol’ Night (Rough Mix)
03 Between A Laugh And A Tear (Writer’s Demo)
04 Carolina Shag
05 Cold Sweat (2022 Mix)
06 Rumbleseat (Writer’s Demo)
07 Smart Guys
08 R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock) [Rough Mix]
09 Minutes To Memories (Rough Mix)
10 Shama Lama Ding Dong
11 Small Town (Writer’s Demo)
BD (2022 Atmos Stereo Mix)
01 Rain On The Scarecrow
02 Grandma’s Theme
03 Small Town
04 Minutes To Memories
05 Lonely Ol’ Night
06 The Face Of The Nation
07 Justice And Independence ’85
08 Between A Laugh And A Tear
09 Rumbleseat
10 You’ve Got To Stand For Somethin’
11 R.0.C.K. In The U.S.A (A Salute To 60’s Rock)
12 The Kind Of Fella I Am
13 Small Town (Acoustic Version)
LP (Original Album 2022 Mix)
Side A
01 Rain On The Scarecrow (2022 Mix)
02 Grandma’s Theme (2022 Mix)
03 Small Town (2022 Mix)
04 Minutes To Memories (2022 Mix)
05 Lonely Ol’ Night (2022 Mix)
06 The Face Of The Nation (2022 Mix)
Side B
07 Justice And Independence ’85 (2022 Mix)
08 Between A Laugh And A Tear (2022 Mix)
09 Rumbleseat (2022 Mix)
10 You’ve Got To Stand For Somethin’ (2022 Mix)
11 R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock) (2022 Mix)
12 The Kind Of Fella I Am (2022 Mix)
For those who are inclined, there’s also the option of getting a 2-CD version.