We're Not Who You Think We Are
Album: Full Moon Fever
Year: 1989
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mike Campbell!
I’m pretty sure I haven’t understated the importance of Mike Campbell to Tom Petty’s music. Certainly, Petty didn’t: when he was signed to a deal in the wake of Mudcrutch’s failure, Campbell was the first person he reached for, and he subsequently featured on every single album — hell, probably every single song — that Tom Petty ever released.
[Read more…] about Certain Songs #1023: Tom Petty – “Runnin’ Down a Dream”
Album: Full Moon Fever
Year: 1989
The fifth time I saw Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers was at the Universal Ampitheater in Studio City on January 24, 1990, but they weren’t even the reason I was there.
No, the reason that John, Nikki, Mark & I drove down to L.A. was to see the taping of the eighth anniversary special of Late Night With David Letterman, which was still my favorite pop culture thing in the universe, so seeing Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers as the special musical guest was icing on the cake.
[Read more…] about Certain Songs #1022: Tom Petty – “I Won’t Back Down”
Album: Full Moon Fever
Year: 1989
Who would have thought that “Free Fallin'” would be the Tom Petty song that gave me writer’s block?
Here’s the thing: I’m not even sure from which angle to come at “Free Fallin’,” a song that has been completely ubiquitous since it was released in 1989, and — along with “The Waiting,” and “Don’t Come Around Here No More” — is probably the man’s greatest song.
At the very least, it’s the Tom Petty of Tom Petty’s songs.
[Read more…] about Certain Songs #1021: Tom Petty – “Free Fallin’”