"I'm the guy who wrote The Authority Song. Did they think I was kidding? Did they think it was only a song to entertain?"

John Mellencamp is asking if individuals believed he was joking when he composed the tune "The Authority Song". He is questioning if individuals believed the song was simply for entertainment functions and not to be taken seriously. He is indicating that the song was meant to be more than just a memorable tune, however to make a statement about authority and the power it holds. He is asking if individuals understood the message he was attempting to communicate through the tune. He is likewise questioning if individuals took the song seriously and if they understood the implications of the lyrics. He is implying that the tune was indicated to be more than just a catchy tune, however to make a declaration about authority and the power it holds. He is asking if individuals comprehended the message he was trying to convey through the song and if they took it seriously.