Compare this to John Mellencamp's previous hits set, The Best That I Could Do 1978-1988, and it quickly becomes apparent how much the artist formerly known as John Cougar has grown in the second phase of his career. Following a 1994 heart attack, the songwriter transformed from cocky jukebox hero to compassionate everyman, trading in big pop riffs for sublime, politically charged songs that echo the outspoken work of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. Spanning 25 years, this 35-track set incorporates most of the last collection along with more recent hits over two discs in nonchronological order. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Rating:
Summary: Confused
Comment: This guy just confuses me. I love some of his singles, like Cherry Bomb - what a cool song. I bought this collection having never owned any of his albums/CDs. If I put this on to listen to, in about 15 minutes I am aggravated. There is something grating about his voice or something. I also have never liked his political adventures or social commentaries. I mean I know Farm-Aid was cool, but his constant harping about injustice and even the big deal over his name and how the industry tried to eat him up aggravates me. Even the fact that he scribbled all over his Gibson acoustic aggravates me. His image seems so contrived, the torn bluejeans small town crap. He is the best example I can think of where if he just stuck to the music and I didn't know all this other stuff, I would be OK. Like I said, he confuses me but he has made some good music and really has gone the distance and is no "one album wonder" so for that I give him three stars. This collection has all the good ones from what I can tell and it is probably made for "fans" like me who just want the singles and not all the other baggage.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: JC Mellencamp Greatest hits--words & music
Comment: This item contains 2 cds and a bonus dvd--complete words plus music of JC Mellencamp's greatest hits--what a good deal!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: How about a Greatest Hits DVD??
Comment: Mellencamp has alot of great videos for his hits but the bonus dvd here only has 5 videos. How about a seperate hits dvd like U2's 18 or a more generous bonus dvd like the one included in the latest Stevie Nicks greatest hits or the Robert Plant box set. Now those are well-made greatest hits dvds to get excited about.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!
Comment: I recenly saw Mellencamp in concert & it was by far THE BEST I have ever seen! He was incredible!! I then purchased Words & Music to keep the show alive!! It is a great CD.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Awesome!
Comment: CD truly charts the artistic journey of John Mellencamp (first caught my interest as John Cougar in the early 80s). Usually compilations tend to be notorious for omitting couple of hits that left a sense of incompleteness and dissatisfaction. But Words & Music has all the songs that matter to any John Mellencamp's fans. It deserves a place in anybody's collection (and certainly worth your money!).

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