Tom Petty’s songs have a lot to offer – from the catchy pop tunes to the rockin’ ballads. The musician has released some of the greatest songs of all time, so you can’t go wrong when you’re looking for the perfect tune for your next party.
Free Fallin’
Tom Petty’s song “Free Fallin'” was the third single released from his 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever. Besides being one of Petty’s biggest hits, the song also served as the opening track for the album. The song became a Top Ten hit in the U.S., as well as being sampled by rapper De La Soul. It was also included on the Judgment Night soundtrack.
Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne wrote the song together. The two had just recently formed a partnership to write songs. One day, Tom was driving down Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles. He decided to write a song about his observations of the city.
“Free Fallin'” was recorded in just a few days. It was the first song to be completed for Full Moon Fever. During the recording sessions, the song was accompanied by Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Roberson.
Free Fallin’ was the highest-charting Tom Petty song on the Hot 100. The song peaked at number seven. During the Super Bowl in 2008, Petty performed the song with Guns N’ Roses.
The song was one of the most fun Tom Petty songs. It was crammed with references to Bruce Springsteen’s songs. Some people thought that supergroup was making light of Springsteen. However, others thought the song was a tribute.
Tom Petty grew up in Florida and he loved the song Runaway. As a teenager, he listened to the record over and over. Eventually, he was able to make his way to Los Angeles, where he met and began working with the Heartbreakers.
American Girl
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl” is an earnest homage to a woman. It’s also one of the most popular songs of all time, and has a story behind it. The song tells the tale of a girl growing up without a father figure. Despite the heartbreak, she keeps going for her dreams. Eventually, she discovers that she’s not alone.
The original version of the song came about in the summer of 1976. Tom Petty wrote the song while he was on a break from recording with the Traveling Wilburys. He recorded the track by singing a note and staggering his breathing. Bo Diddley played his backbeat.
The song’s lyrics are sortable. There are three primary themes to “American Girl” – disappointment, loss and disillusionment. Throughout the song, there’s a sense of solitude, a feeling of being out of reach.
While “American Girl” isn’t a rock’n’roll song in the conventional sense, it is a pop-rock gospel song with an infectious thump. As a result, it has become a classic. In fact, it’s often ranked among the top 100 best guitar songs of all time.
Several Hollywood films have featured the song, including Parks and Recreation (2009), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and She’s the One (1996). It’s also been cited in several books and magazines.
“American Girl” was the last song to be performed by Tom Petty. In fact, it was the only song that he played in his final concert.
Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Tom Petty’s Mary Jane’s Last Dance is a clever song. It features a riff that had been around for years.
Tom Petty and his band, the Heartbreakers, were experimenting with their second solo studio album, Wildflowers, at the time. Stan Lynch, their last drummer, left to work for another band. They needed a replacement. Randall Marsh auditioned for the group. He was told that the guitarist had moved on. This inspired Marsh to try his hand at writing a song. The end result was “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” a rousing rocker that has won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video.
Tom Petty is an exceptional songwriter. His song “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” was a big hit on the charts and helped make his first Billboard Top 20 hit of the 1990s. However, the song was difficult to write. Some of the lyrics were not up to par.
There are multiple meanings for the song. A cynic might conclude that the song’s real meaning is about the end of a child’s life. Regardless, the song is one of many great tracks by Tom Petty.
For the most part, the band members agree that the song was a challenge to write. But it was a big hit, and a lot of fun to watch. As a matter of fact, the song spawned a number of fan videos.
Southern Accents’ “The Best of Everything”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are set to play in the UK for the first time in 15 years. This marks their return to the music scene after taking a three-year hiatus between 1982 and 1985. The band also released an album in that time, Southern Accents. It’s an album that’s a little bit schizophrenic, with some great tracks and some pretty bad ones. But overall, it’s a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.
The album started off with an opening track called “Rebels” that introduces the album’s theme. It’s a commentary on the stifling of Southern traditions.
The song comes to an end with a fitting full-circle feeling. Tom Petty’s new music ends in style. His vocal is chilling in its delinquency.
The title track comes out quickly during a late-night writing session. A new version of the track was released in 2018, with a verse that was previously unreleased.
There are three songs co-written by Dave Stewart on the new album. These stand out from the rest of the album. Another track that stands out is a new take on the Traveling Wilburys’ “Runaway” that was not released until 2013.
In addition to Tom Petty’s solo work, “The Best of Everything” features several musicians. Robbie Robertson took over the arrangement of the title track, adding a horn chart. And there are two tracks with Stevie Nicks.
The album has a strong theme of being tied to one’s past. It’s a concept that’s also used on Tom Petty’s “American Beauty” album.
Mojo
Tom Petty’s Mojo is the first Heartbreakers album to be released on CD in eight years. It also marks the return of original bassist Ron Blair. The album was recorded with just a few single takes and no overdubs. This is a classic bluesy rock album.
The title track is a great example of this. A rolling harmonica harmony, swirling keyboards, dual guitars, and a nod to the Allman Brothers Band double bill tour fill this song with earworm charm.
Another standout is the Jefferson Jericho Blues. The story of a miscegenated man and his little maid is set to a rattling piano and harmonica.
In addition, there is the song “First Flash of Freedom,” a nearly seven minute piece that features dual guitars and a swirling keyboard. Though the tune doesn’t make the cut in the pop charts, it does have a great climax.
What’s more, the new Blu-ray edition of “Mojo” doesn’t sound any better than the CD version. But it does have an uninspired 5.1 surround mix.
Despite its limitations, the new Blu-ray release does provide a plethora of interesting details. Unlike some of the band’s past releases, Mojo was made without the benefit of a lot of preconceived notions. As a result, it’s more about intuitive details than any big idea.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been America’s greatest live band for over thirty years. With Mojo, they have captured the magic of a live show on an album.
Recent Comments