John Mellencamp, the 74-year-old rock legend, announced a 19-date U.S. amphitheater tour titled 'Dancing Words — The Greatest Hits,' which will feature his most popular songs performed live for the first time in years. The tour starts in July and includes stops in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, and ends in Mountain View, California. Tickets go on sale January 23 via Ticketmaster, with presales through Citi starting January 20. The tour was announced alongside a short film featuring Sean Penn, where Mellencamp and Penn sit in a diner discussing the significance of his hits. Mellencamp expressed a desire to share his music again, emphasizing that his motivation is to make people happy, not just for profit. He reflected on his long career, noting that he has never been driven by money but by his passion for music. Mellencamp highlighted that he will perform classic hits like 'Jack & Diane,' 'Pink Houses,' 'Small Town,' 'Hurts So Good,' and 'R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,' along with some songs he hasn't played live in decades, such as 'I Need a Lover' and 'Wild Nights.' He plans to modernize some songs and perform them as mashups, including a soul version of 'Jack & Diane.' The artist also discussed his musical philosophy, noting that he prefers smaller, more intimate venues and avoids the large arena tours that made him feel like a 'cheerleader.' He plans to keep the tour manageable, focusing on 20 shows, and will be joined by his son Hud Mellencamp and his girlfriend Kristin Kehrberg. Mellencamp's last album, 'Orpheus Descending,' was released in 2023. He expressed admiration for other veteran artists like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, who continue to perform well into their later years. Tickets for the tour will be available starting January 23, with VIP packages and presales. The tour includes notable stops such as Pine Knob Music Theatre in Michigan and Hollywood Bowl in California.