Written By: John Mellencamp

Lyrics (Start at 0:28):

Person 1 e ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
Jacky gonna be a football star
Diane’s debutante, backseat of Jacky’s car

Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee-Freez
Diane’s sittin’ on Jacky’s lap
Got his hands between her knees
Jacky say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind the shady trees”
Dribble off those Bobbie Brooks, let me do what I please”
Say

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone, say
Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone, they walk on

Jacky sits back, reflects his thoughts for the moment
Scratches his head and does his best James Dean
“Well then, there Diane, we oughta run off to the city”
Diane says, “Baby, you ain’t missin’ nothing”
And Jacky say-a

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
Oh yeah, they say life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone

Gonna let it rock
Let it roll
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
Hold on to sixteen as long as you can
Changes come around real soon
Make us women and men

Oh yeah, life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
Oh yeah, they say life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone

A little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
Two American kids doin’ best they can