Written by: John Mellencamp

Well I lived on the outskirts of town

In an eight room farmhouse, baby

When my brothers and friends were around

There was always somethin' doin'

Had me a couple of real nice girlfriends

Stopped by to see me every once in a while

When I think back about those days

All I can do is sit and smile

Chorus

That's when a sport was a sport

And groovin' was groovin'

And dancin' meant everything

We were young and we were improvin'

Laughin', laughin' with our friends

Holdin' hands meant somethin', baby

Outside the club"Cherry Bomb"

Our hearts were really thumpin'

Say yeah yeah yeah

Say yeah yeah yeah

The winter days they last forever

But the weekends went by so quick

Went ridin' around this little country town

We were goin' nuts, girl, out in the sticks

One night, me with my big mouth

A couple guys had to put me in my place

When I see those guys these days

We just laugh and say do you remember when

Chorus

Say yeah yeah yeah

Say yeah yeah yeah

Seventeen has turned thirty-five

I'm surprised that we're still livin'

If we've done any wrong

I hope that we're forgiven

Got a few kids of my own

And some days I still don't know what to do

I hope that they're not laughing too loud

When they hear me talkin'

Like this to you

Chorus