John Mellencamp’s “My Sweet Love” is surprisingly addictive. Lines such as “It sure would feel good to feel good again”, celebrate the feelings that accompany new found love. Its purposeful retro feel, rapid drum beat and strong bass combines to create a song that’s worthy of radio airplay, though it’s doubtful that country radio will be the place for it.
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild adds a prominent harmony vocal that elevates the song even more. Ultimately, the rockabilly and retro production of “My Sweet Love” seems like a song that might have fit nicely on Robert Plant’s and Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand project.
Written by John Mellencamp
Grade: A-
Listen: My Sweet Love
Buy: My Sweet Love
I’ve been wondering for a couple of weeks now who was providing the female harmony vocal on this single– Fairchild wasn’t credited in the liner notes of the promo copy of his album I received. Based on the timbre of her voice, I actually thought it might’ve been Kim Richey. But this is yet more evidence of what great harmony vocalists the members of Little Big Town are.
I think you’re right that this sounds similar to the Plant / Krauss album– T Bone Burnett has become rather predictable in his production jobs lately– but this is far and away my favorite cut from the otherwise dour Mellencamp record. It’s a pretty terrific standalone single; if not quite on the same level as his “Peaceful World,” it’s a step up from “Our Country.”
I’m surprised she wasn’t credited, since she, apparently, sings on four of the tracks on the album:
“Don’t Need This Body”, “For the Children”, “A Ride Back Home” and this one.
Diggin’ this cut. Classic Mellencamp. After he was Cougar! Heh!
So what you’re saying Jonathan is the rest of the album doesn’t hold up to this single? Shame ’cause I really like Karen’s back vocals and the drum beat in this one. I don’t know if I would call Karen’s vocals “harmony” vocals as she definitely seemed to be back a bit. John seemed front and foremost to me even after listening another time. May just be ’cause I only have one good ear though. ;-)
I don’t have the album, JarHeadDad, but I didn’t hear much for drum beats in any of the other songs in the clips. Reviews say that this is the most upbeat song on the album.
When I heard the background vocals, or harmony vocals, they sounded prominent enough for me to look up who she was for the review.
Mellencamp’s new one certainly isn’t bad– I’ve heard much worse this year, and if you’re already a fan of his, I can’t imagine not picking it up. But I haven’t listened to it beyond this track since I reviewed it last month. “My Sweet Love” is one of the few truly uptempo tracks (and, in terms of tone, one of the only upbeat songs) on an album that’s pretty deliberately and effectively dour. As I said, this is a great single, but it isn’t really representative of the rest of the album, so I’d say proceed with caution.
I just heard this song for the first time yesterday and wondered who the female voice was. Thanks for letting me know!
I like this single. Wasn’t what I expected from Mellencamp right now; I thought he was supposed to be in a perpetually bad mood.
What a great sound. I’ve never been a huge Mellenkamp fan but this song really caught my attention. I think it has the great harmony quality of the Everly brothers with a touch of guitar that reminds me of Duane Eddy.
this song sweet love is great
I thought it may be Stevie Nicks for a sec,then I checked, and found this site.