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John Mellencamp performs 'Troubled Man,' says he's 'too old to write about girls'

He’ll never ditch "Jack & Diane," but John Mellencamp isn't exactly holding on to 16. "I think it’s important to write to the people that you grew up with, not try to be 35," Mellencamp told Matt Lauer ahead of a performance on TODAY Friday. "I’m too old to write about girls."These days, the 62-year-old Grammy winner is drawing inspiration from authors like John Steinbeck and William Faulkne

He’ll never ditch "Jack & Diane," but John Mellencamp isn't exactly holding on to 16.

"I think it’s important to write to the people that you grew up with, not try to be 35," Mellencamp told Matt Lauer ahead of a performance on TODAY Friday. "I’m too old to write about girls."

These days, the 62-year-old Grammy winner is drawing inspiration from authors like John Steinbeck and William Faulkner to tackle themes of faith, loneliness and regret.

That weightier approach is evident on "Troubled Man," a new single that Mellencamp had been tinkering with since the 1990s. “I started to write it, but I wasn't mature enough to write it,” Mellencamp said.

The musician was quick to add that he isn't finished growing as an artist. When Lauer asked him if he has a favorite song he’s recorded, Mellencamp replied, “I’m still looking forward to that day when I write it.”

Mellencamp’s 22nd album, “Plain Spoken,” is out now. A North American tour kicks off in January.

This updated post was originally published at Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. ET.