Essentials - Tom Petty

I have been aware of Tom Petty’s music for as long as I can remember. Dad played his CDs when we were children. I vividly recall car journeys to Scotland listening to ‘Full Moon Fever’ and ‘Into the Great Wide Open’. My brother (pictured) and I were first able to see him in 2012 at the Isle of Wight festival and one last time in Hyde Park, just weeks before he died in 2017. His passing led me to re-visit his back catalogue, here I have tried to capture 5 Essentials…

American Girl - One of Petty’s best known compositions, a song that featured in the bands live set throughout their career and provided a minor hit in the UK upon release. It closes proceedings on their well received debut album and was also the final song played at their final show at the Hollywood Bowl. The track is remarkable as it showcases Petty’s ability to blend a driving rock song with a breathtaking melody. Also, ‘Last Nite’ by ‘The Strokes’ may not exist without this song.

Refugee - The album where the Heartbreakers hit their stride artistically and commercially was their third, ‘Damn the Torpedoes’. It was produced by Jimmy Iovine who was renowned for his work on Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ and Patti Smith’s ‘ Easter’. The opening track ‘Refugee’, a co-write with Mike Campbell, sets the tone and bar high.

I Won’t Back Down - Released in 1989 between ‘Traveling Wilburys’ albums (the supergroup that Petty formed with none other than George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne) 'Full Moon Fever’ was Petty's debut solo release and a huge success. It featured appearances from various Wilburys and Heartbreakers and was produced by Jeff Lynne. This particular song may be Petty’s best known, a perfect anthem of defiance. Also, not bad having two Beatles in your music video!? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA

Wildflowers - Tom Petty would return to ‘solo’ status in 1994 (again ‘solo’ in the loosest sense if you note the various Heartbreakers in the credits) on the critically acclaimed ‘Wildflowers’. Produced by Rick Rubin, it saw Petty adopt a more contemplative acoustic led sound. Petty would go on to work with Rubin on future records, notably on Johnny Cash’s ‘American II - Unchained’ where the Heartbreakers played the role of backing band for the man in black!

Echo - Released following his divorce from Jane Benyo, 'Echo' is possibly Petty's most moving record, it is certainly his saddest and unlike much of his other work. The heart wrenching lyrics of the title track are a prime example - “Well I woke up right here, in a pool of sweat, with a box of pills and you, I’m gonna keep my head, I’m gonna keep my cool, I’m so in love with you”.