"This is not a rock opera. This is not Tommy. I can write songs that emote, and that's it"

In this quote, artist John Mellencamp is distancing himself and also his music from the style of rock opera, especially the idea album "Tommy" by The Who. Mellencamp stresses that his tunes are written to evoke emotion, but do not necessarily adhere to a fixed story or theme throughout the entire album. By specifying this, Mellencamp asserts that his songs is much more concentrated on stimulating sensations and also getting in touch with listeners on a psychological degree, rather than informing a details tale or carrying a certain message.