The Handwritten Setlist Where Mellencamp Scribbled “Play With Teeth. No Faking.”

April 2, 2025

It was a crisp autumn evening in 1984, and the air was electric with excitement outside the small theater in Bloomington, Indiana. Fans lined up, chattering eagerly about the show they were about to experience. Among them was a young woman named Sara, clutching a crumpled piece of paper that contained her dreams. It was a handwritten setlist from the iconic John Mellencamp, the hometown hero who had captured the hearts of many with his gritty rock music and heartfelt lyrics. As the crowd surged toward the entrance, Sara felt a rush of hope, believing that this night would spark something life-changing for her.

Inside the theater, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Mellencamp took the stage, guitar in hand. He looked out at the sea of faces, and for a moment, he hesitated. The pressure of performing weighed heavily on him. Earlier that day, he had scribbled a note on his setlist that read, “Play with teeth. No faking.” Those words were meant for him as a reminder to give everything he had to his music, to dig deep and connect with the audience. He knew that genuine passion could not be faked, and on that stage, he needed to show his true self.

As the first chords of “Pink Houses” rang out, Sara felt an electric connection to the music that spoke right to her soul. Mellencamp poured his heart into every note, the rawness of his performance igniting the crowd. It was as if he was sharing his own struggles and triumphs, inviting everyone to feel the power of authenticity. That night, Sara not only witnessed a concert; she experienced a moment of pure liberation. Mellencamp’s words echoed through the theater, igniting a fire in her spirit. Each song became a testament to resilience, to the importance of being real in a world that often demanded perfection.

In the years that followed, Mellencamp’s career soared, but it wasn’t without its challenges. He faced criticism and self-doubt, yet he always returned to that mantra—“Play with teeth. No faking.” It reminded him to stay true to his roots and to the people who believed in him. The handwritten setlist became a symbol of his journey, a reminder that vulnerability was his greatest strength. He continued to write songs that encapsulated the struggles of everyday life, giving voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless.

For Sara, that night ignited a passion for music that she would carry with her. Inspired by Mellencamp’s authenticity, she pursued her dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter. She often thought of the handwritten setlist, using it as a guide in her own life. Whenever she felt discouraged, she would remember Mellencamp’s command to “play with teeth”—a call to embrace her true self and share her story through music.

Years later, as she performed on her own stage, a new generation of fans cheering her on, she looked down at her own setlist. It may not have been in Mellencamp’s handwriting, but she had scratched out her own message: “Stay real. Always feel.” And in that moment, she realized the power of music to uplift and connect people. Just as Mellencamp had inspired her, she hoped to inspire others to embrace their authenticity and face the world with courage.