A Biography

A Biography
File:A biography.JPG
Studio album by Johnny Cougar
Released	March 6, 1978
Recorded	Wessex Studios, Basing Street Studios, AIR Studios, London, 1977–78
Genre	Rock
Length	42:58
Label	Riva
Producer	John Punter
Johnny Cougar chronology
Chestnut Street Incident (1976)Chestnut Street Incident1976 A Biography (1978) John Cougar (1979)John Cougar1979

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

A Biography is John Mellencamp's second released album (third recorded), and last credited to his then-stage name "Johnny Cougar." Recorded in London, it was released in the U.K. and Australia by Riva Records on March 6, 1978.

Due to poor sales of Mellencamp's debut album, Chestnut Street Incident, A Biography did not receive a U.S. release upon its 1978 debut. Two of its tracks, "Taxi Dancer" and the single "I Need a Lover," were also included on his 1979 album John Cougar, which was released in the U.S.

In Australia, however, "I Need a Lover" became a No. 1 hit, giving Mellencamp his first taste of success. The song would eventually crack the Top 40 in the U.S. in late 1979 when released as a single from his John Cougar album. AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine has described "I Need a Lover" as Mellencamp's "first good song."

Track listing

All songs written and composed by John Mellencamp. 

Side One
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Born Reckless"	4:35
2.	"Factory"	3:02
3.	"Night Slumming"	4:40
4.	"Taxi Dancer"	4:05
5.	"I Need a Lover"	5:37

Side Two
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Alley of the Angels"	3:58
2.	"High C Cherrie"	4:58
3.	"Where the Sidewalk Ends"	3:56
4.	"Let Them Run Your Lives"	5:55
5.	"Goodnight"	2:05

Personnel

• Johnny Cougar – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals
• Brian BecVar – keyboards, background vocals
• Larry Crane– guitars, background vocals
• Robert "Ferd" Frank – bass, background vocals
• Tom Knowles – drums, background vocals
• Andy Mackay – saxophones
• Ann O'Dell – string arrangement on "Taxi Dancer"