"Jack and Diane"

"Jack and Diane" by John Cougar Mellencamp is a song written about a couple living in rural America with big hopes and dreams for the future, however, through the song, it is seen that they were not able to accomplish these dreams. This is similar to how Willy Loman believed that his son would be successful in the sales business, however, Biff never lived up to his father's idea. Likewise, Willy's life as a salesman was filled with failure as he can never achieve anything he strives for. The lines "Oh yeah life goes on/Long after the thrill of living is gone" relate to how nothing in Willy's life changes for the better as he continuously works in this job of a salesman but never accomplishes any of his dreams. "Long after the thrill of living gone" relates to how Wily is holding on to a past and false hope that he can accomplish what Dave Singleton or his brother accomplished.