I Was Jack (You Were Diane)

"I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" is a song recorded by American country music singer Jake Owen. It was written by David Ray, Tommy Cecil, Jody Stevens, Craig Wiseman, and John Mellencamp, with production handled by Joey Moi. It is Owen's first single from his sixth studio album Greetings from... Jake.

"I Was Jack (You Were Diane)"
Single by Jake Owen
from the album Greetings from... Jake
Released	March 12, 2018
Genre	Country
Length	3:08
Label	Big Loud
Songwriter(s)	Tommy Cecil David Ray Jody Stevens Craig Wiseman John Mellencamp
Producer(s)	Joey Moi
Jake Owen singles chronology
"Good Company" (2017) "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" (2018) "Down to the Honkytonk" (2018)

Content

The song is a tribute to John Mellencamp's 1982 single "Jack & Diane", and credits Mellencamp as a co-writer for incorporating that song's guitar riff. Rolling Stone writer Chris Parton described the song: "Owen's updated version highlights the original's impact on present-day America, while a regular Joe reminisces about falling in love to the tune years before."[1] Owen said that he asked Mellencamp personally for permission to incorporate portions of "Jack & Diane" into the song, and recorded it after receiving Mellencamp's permission. Owen said that he wanted to record it because of the feelings of nostalgia that the lyrics evoked in him.[2]

The song is Owen's first release on Big Loud Records, following a decade on RCA Records Nashville.[3]

Commercial performance

The song has sold 110,000 copies in the United States as of August 2018.[4]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2018) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[5] 78 Canada Country (Billboard)[6] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[7] 43 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[8] 1 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 7

Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)[10] 12 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 24

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[12]	Platinum	80,000
United States (RIAA)[13]	Gold	500,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Parton, Chris. "Hear Jake Owen Update John Mellencamp in 'I Was Jack (You Were Diane)'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
2. Whitaker, Sterling. "Jake Owen Got John Mellencamp's Blessing for 'I Was Jack (You Were Diane)'". Taste of Country. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
3. Stefano, Angela. "Hear Jake Owen's Brand-New Single, 'I Was Jack (You Were Diane)'". The Boot. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
4. Bjorke, Matt (August 14, 2018). "The Top 30 Digital Country Tracks: August 14, 2018". RoughStock. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
5. "Jake Owen Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
6. "Jake Owen Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
7. "Jake Owen Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
8. "Jake Owen Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
9. "Jake Owen Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
10. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
11. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
12. "Canadian single certifications – Jake Owen – I Was Jack (You Were Diane)". Music Canada. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
13. "American single certifications – Jake Owen – I Was Jack (You Were Diane)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 20, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.