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John Mellencamp s 7 Tips for Living Your Best Life

The musician reflects on his friendship with Bruce Springsteen and turning 70

Myrna Suarez

1 Work Around Your Issues br

I can’t spell. I have dyslexia, and the words get all scrambled. So if I write something I want to save, I recite it to somebody, and they write it down properly. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

2 Be Productive and Do Cardio

I’ve been fortunate enough to live an artist’s life since I was 22. Every day, I have to create something — a song, a painting. And if I don’t, I feel like I’ve wasted my time. I also have to every day, and I have to smoke. That’s my strong suit. I’m really a good smoker.

3 Get Into Trouble

Summers always represented freedom for our generation. No school, and there were motorcycles and girls and county fairs, and I was always looking for mischief to get into. As the song says, “I don’t mind a reasonable amount of trouble.” And I still don’t. I don’t want the kind of trouble that you can’t get out of. But I don’t mind mischief.

4 Nurture Later-Life Friendships br

“I believe in the subtle art of not giving a damn. Because you only have so many damns to give in this life.” —John Mellencamp, 70 It’s very rare that you suddenly become friends with somebody that you have known a long time. I’ve known for years, but our friendship really blossomed a couple years ago. We talk and text a lot. I cherish that.

5 Keep at It

Usually I have to write about a hundred songs to get one good one. Painting is the same way. You’ve got to keep slugging. The problem with most people is that they quit too early.

6 Get off the Couch

I’m not a religious person, but there is some great wisdom in the Bible, including the notion that we were sent here to toil through our lives. And I believe that. We’re not here to lie around on the couch.

7 Mind the Age App

Turning 70 was hard. But a friend showed me an app that views your face and tells you how old you appear. She’s quite a bit younger than me and was bragging that she came up at 31. I was like, “Let me try that.” And I came up at 41. She said, “That can’t be right!” We both had a good laugh. —As told to Alanna Nash John Mellencamp’s new album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, features “Wasted Days,” a duet with Bruce Springsteen. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS