It may seem that Summer 2020 has been turned on its head due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Our daily way of life has drastically changed . Whether it's grocery shopping, pick up from your favorite pizza joint , or restocking on Jameson for that Friday night Zoom happy hour toast with friends it can be hard to forget that summertime is about to burst out of its cocoon. With those family BBQ's and your annual bar crawl with your closest friends are on hold, music is the true art form keeping our heads held high . Summertime and heartland rock n roll go hand in hand and it's no question that Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are the quintessential band for the dog days ahead. Since we're all trying to stay positive, here are 10 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers deep cuts to dive into .Petty's solo work is also included
10. "I Should of Known it" Mojo (2010)
This rollicking garage rocker with hints of The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin from the bands 2010 smash album; the first for the band in eight years is killer and it proves that despite their age, the band can truly rock out. Mike Campbell, whose been with the band since day 1, is unquestionably the most underrated guitarist in rock n roll and his playing is in full force on this track and cannot be overlooked . His blistering solo along with the dirty groovy opening lick is indeed "Mojo".
9. "Insider" Hard Promises (1981)
Tom Petty and legendary rock n roll gypsy Stevie Knicks are no stranger to duets . Their most notable for their collaboration on 'Stop Dragging My Heart Around" which was originally penned by Petty , but gave the song over to Stevie for her breakthrough solo album Bella Donna. This gem off of the bands 1981 LP showcases their talents once again. Backed by acoustic guitar, it's a beautiful ballad in A . Both of their voices mend flawlessly. For Knicks, the song structure is a callback to her days with Lindsay Buckingham and their indie hit "Crying In The Night."
8. "Shadow of a Doubt" Damn The Torpedoes (1979)
Damn The Torpedoes unquestionably is The Hearbreakers studio achievement . Produced by studio heavyweight Jimmy Iovine and recorded at the legendary Sound City studios in Los Angeles, this album shot the band into overnight success. This Byrds infused track is what make Tom Petty such an accomplished songwriter . With lyrics like "She don't like working; she says she hates her boss" it can relate to many blue collar American workers. Add a killer guitar track from Mike Campbell, a pocket punchy bass line from Ron Blair, and the rest of the band on high alert and it's all the makings of a classic Tom Petty track.
7. "A Face In A Crowd" Full Moon Fever (1989)
Full Moon Fever was Tom Petty's debut solo album outside of The Heartbreakers. However, Mike Campbell contributed all the guitar parts. The songwriting itself was all done by Petty and Jeff Lynn, who is famous in his own right for being a founding member Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and was in the supergroup The Traveling Wilbury's whose members also included George Harrison and Roy Orbison. This E minor ballad played on acoustic 12 string guitar is a prime example on how simple chords, a melody and a catchy chorus is Tom Petty's magic on creating timeless music .
6. "A Woman In Love (It's not me)" Hard Promises (1981)
The second song off the bands underappreciated album , this tune showcases the trials and tribulations of love. It's the classic formula of being turned down by a beautiful girl and we've all been there . This song is unique because it shows how the band was keeping their roots in heartland rock while also showcasing music tropes of the 1980's. Stan Lynch's drumming is a key factor.
5. "Kings Highway" Into The Great Wide Open (1991)
Off of the band's smash 1991 LP , Kings Highway paints a picture lyrically of two young lovers wanting to take off into the sunset and forget their troubles at home and wanting good fortune. A rocking country-rock melody in G, this song is perfect for road trips and a reminder of small town America and it's impact on popular culture.
4. "I Need to Know" Your'e Gonna Get It (1978)
From the bands sophomore LP released in the spring of 1978. Musically, it's one of Petty's most driving rockers from the 1970's and it is oozing with 60's soul. Petty in fact credited Wilson Pickett's smash record "Land of a Thousand Dances" as the driving influence behind the song . A killer guitar solo from Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench's rolling piano during the bridge , the world was soon going to know the power of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers.
3. "Hometown Blues" Tom Petty And The Hearbreakers (1976)
Written during Petty's time during his previous band Mudcrutch , Hometown Blues had a unique recording lineup . Petty got ex-Mudcrutch drummer Randall Marsh and legendary musician Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass . With it's simple lyrics and chord progression, this song is a blueprint on what would become Tom Petty's signature songwriting technique.
2. "Listen To Her Heart" Your'e Gonna Get It (1978)
Tom Petty has stated multiple times on how The Byrds had a profound influence on his work, and it shines here. The guitar part is oozing with Roger Mcguinn's style and attitude , and the rest of the Heartbreakers beautifully together . Lyrically , the song is told in a cautionary point of view similar to She Loves You By The Beatles.The listener can gather that even though the man who is trying to impress the girl of his liking, the girl is going to listen to her heart and make her own decisions and quite frankly doesn't need him in her life.
1." Louisiana Rain " Damn The Torpedoes (1979)
The last song off the band's 1979 multi-platinum masterpiece, Louisiana Rain is without a doubt one of Tom Petty's most overlooked musical accomplishments as the American equivalent Lennon/Mccartney. Lyrically, Tom Petty paints a picture of man searching for himself through a breakup . Clearing his mind from the San Diego Sea and the welcoming hands of South Carolina; every time he starts to forget, the girl he once loved creeps back into his memory and he starts to weep. With a country rock /Eagles style chord progression, killer slide guitar provided by Mike Campbell and a Bob Dylan stylistic harmonica , this song is truly a gem.
