Source: NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 20: Musician John Mellencamp performs in concert at Carnegie Hall on April 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)When John Mellencamp released “Small Town” in November 1985, he wasn’t just putting out another single—he was celebrating the values and experiences that shaped his life. Mellencamp has often said that the song wasn’t intended to suggest everyone should live in a small town. Over the years, “Small Town” has become more than just a hit record. More than 40 years after its release, “Small Town” remains one of John Mellencamp’s most enduring classics.