Shelter Records, Backstreet/MCA, MCA, Warner Bros.
This morning, I was awakened by the sweet, unusual sound of rain falling outside my bedroom window. Rain is so rare here, and this particular batch also brought thunder - an extra treat reminiscent of my spanish moss, alligator lurking Florida days. Unfortunately, rain in these parts means my fellow desert inhabitants would likely not make through their Monday morning commutes unscathed.
The roads were covered in debris from the morning storms, with traffic lights out intermittently. As for the freeway, there was no distinction between with and against traffic, all were slowed to a near halt. My usual, breezy drive crawled at about 3 miles per hour, requiring extra reserves to remain calm and collected. It was about that time that Tom Petty's The Waiting came on the radio. I couldn't help but laugh at the timing as I was faced with a sea of break lights and sang along at the top of my lungs. Someone, somewhere was having a good time with this. I can't help but think Tom himself may have had a nice chuckle as well.
Coincidentally, I've been on a Rock 'n Roll documentary kick and recently watched the 4 hour Tom Petty doc, Running Down a Dream. You read that right, 4 hours, and it's so worth it (check it out on itunes). First of all, I must admit, I have a soft spot for Tom Petty as he is a Florida boy, born and raised not far from my hometown, one of the few things I've taken great pride in as a native. I'm amazed by how much home video footage was available to tell this story from before he ever left Gainesville and University Avenue. A man with a destiny and a drive to do everything to make it happen. A Florida boy done good, an inspiration to this Florida girl.
Of course, I had to go further down the rabbit hole (heh, Don't Come Around Here No More) to dig up my TOP FIFTEEN TRACKS. After all, this publication is a public service. I invite you to spend some quality time with Tom Petty, I know I certainly will.
MY TOP FIFTEEN TOM PETTY TRACKS (in order of release, with links to mostly live performances. If you want more performances, check out his full live album)
American Girl
Breakdown
Listen to Her Heart
Here Comes My Girl
Even the Losers
I Need To Know
The Waiting
You Got Lucky
Southern Accents
Insider / Stop Dragin' My Heart Around (both tracks are with Stevie Nicks, so I cheated and put them together)
The Apartment Song (and the original with Stevie)
Walls
You Wreck Me
Crawling Back to You
Wildflowers
