Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
Stevie Nicks: Bella Donna, 1981
After Stevie Nicks finished recording her first solo album without Fleetwood Mac, she realized that she had a problem: The album didn’t have a hit single. Without a hit, her new solo career would be doomed. But luckily for her, Tom Petty and Nicks were on the same record label. Petty and Mike Campbell wrote Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around as a last-minute addition to Bella Donna. The song was a huge hit for both Nicks and Petty.
American Girl
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1976
American Girl was Petty’s first rock anthem. It has a brilliant chorus that you can’t help but singalong to “Oh yeah, all right, take it, easy baby, make it last all night. She was an American Girl!”
Free Fallin’
Full Moon Fever, 1989
Don’t Come Around Here No More
Southern Accents, 1985
Breakdown
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1976
Breakdown was Tom Petty’s debut single with The Heartbreakers in 1976. With a smooth and soulful groove, it was very radio-friendly. As a result, the song has been in permanent rotation on rock stations around the world like Utah’s 103.5 The Arrow or Chicago’s 97.1 The Drive.
Into The Great Wide Open
Into the Great Wide Open, 1991
The music video for Into the Great Wide Open features a collection of 1990s celebrities including Johnny Depp, Gabrielle Anwar, Faye Dunaway, Matt LeBlanc, Terence Trent D’Arby, and Chynna Phillips.
Refugee
Damn The Torpedoes, 1979
Just 3 years later after Tom Petty’s debut album, he had perfected his staple rock anthem style with Refugee. From verse to verse, the song builds to a powerful climax.
I Need To Know
You’re Gonna Get It, 1978
Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Greatest Hits, 1993
A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me)
Hard Promises, 1981
A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me) bounces between an intense rock song and a tender ballad. It might remind you of a campfire story with its slow and quiet and bigger parts.
You Got Lucky
Long After Dark, 1982
Southern Accents
Southern Accents, 1985
Tom Petty Songs: What Are Your Favorites?
Tom Petty was a rock legend. Throughout his musical career, he made an astonishing 20 albums. 13 with The Heartbreakers, 2 with The Traveling Wilburys, 2 with Mudcrutch (his old high-school band) and 3 solo albums. That’s a lot of music. It’s all absolutely worth adding to your music collection. Did I miss anything? What are your favorite Tom Petty songs? Please post a note in the comments. #RIPTomPetty