Small Town

Mellencamp wrote the song about his experiences growing up in a small town in Indiana, having been born in Seymour, Indiana, and living in Bloomington, Indiana, which, at the time of the release of the song, was much smaller. The music video has references to both towns. After that, Mellencamp has been known as champion of "small town America."

DON'T STOP BELIEVING

Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world
Took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
Took the midnight train going anywhere

I seen her in a smokey room, a smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers, waiting... walkin' down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Street lights... people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill
everybody wants a thrill
Betting anything to roll the dice just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some are born to sing the blues
oh the movie never ends

It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers, waiting... walking down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Street lights... people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night

Don't stop... believin'
hold on to that feeling
Street lights... people

Don't stop... believin'
hold On to that feeling
Street lights... people

Don't stop... believin'
hold on to that feeling
Street lights... people
dont stop