Collaboration with other writers, producers and musicians also
played a major role in the making of the new album. Their A-Pawling studio, a converted
space situated "where suburbia meets rural America," was the setting for much of
this work. "It was the first time we haven't made a record in New York City,"
Daryl says. "We're very influenced by what's around us, so it's not an urban record.
The studio gave us a feeling of family. We spent long hours there without realizing
it." The spontaneity in this atmosphere gave the album a "very live" feel,
explains John. "It's a return to band-oriented music as opposed to machine-oriented
music." |
The first single, "So Close," was produced by Danny
Kortchmar (Don Henley) and Jon Bon Jovi. Music for "So Close" was written by
Daryl Hall, with lyrics co-written by Hall and George Green. John Mellencamp sent Green's
original lyrics to Daryl who then reworked them for "So Close." "It
happened in about 15 minutes. George seta great scene, "Daryl recalls. The song
comments on "how people start wrong in a relationship, get together for one reason or
another and stay wrong, "he explains. The single was recorded in L.A. with guest
musicians Waddy Wachtel and Kortchmar on guitars, bassist Randy Jackson (Bon Jovi, Elton
John, Madonna), drummer Kenny Aronoff, and keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & the
Heartbreakers). |