Zune'd Out

I’m getting ready to go to a Tom Petty concert this Saturday, should be amazing, love that guy. I figured I’d toss out my list of favorite songs from his long body of work, and explain why they meant so much to me.

1. You Wreck Me

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Truly how I see love. The back and forth, the unbridled enthusiasm, the thought that you’re out of control but trusting that other person from keeping you from going too far off track. Taking the chance, jumping, seeing if they’ll catch you. Once I heard the Wallflowers Album this had to become my favorite Tom Petty song.

2. Learning to Fly (Accoustic) - video is from the Gorge! (too bad this was Friday night, he played a different song Acoustic on Saturday when I went)

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I was watching Behind the Music on VH1 probably about 8 years ago, heard this version and man I just felt this song in a new way. From the lyrics I’d hazard a guess this song has a bit to do with drug use, but for me it’s always been an uplifting look at taking those hard steps toward the future. I can’t think of anything more optimistic than trusting in your future among the hazards and hardships we all face along the way.

3. Two Gunslingers (sadly this was the only video I could online for this, at least its unintentionally funny and the guy isn’t too bad)

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I first really listened to this song last September as I was going through a major change in my life, separating from a person I’d spent the last 7 years of my life with. At first I thought this song was in the vein of a Bon Jovi “Wanted Dead or Alive”. Eventually I saw through to what this song truly is about, being able to make that choice at any minute, to stop being upset and stuck in where we’ve been and change for the better. Standing up and changing, not putting up with the unhappiness we’ve brought into our lives and the impact our decisions have on the whole world. It struck me pursuing happiness is a choice we get to make.

4. I Won’t Back Down

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The Tom Petty flipping the bird to the record companies song (over them trying to charge more for his record). I love the ambition; I love the anger, the conviction. Standing up against somebody that’s bigger, standing up for what you believe in and saying this isn’t happening. How couldn’t this be a favorite song.

5. Runnin’ Down a Dream –

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I’ve always felt it a challenge to find my way, yet somehow I always have. Someday I hope to have this kind of attitude towards my dreams (I’ve come close a few times). This is also a terrific song for driving around in summer, but don’t be fooled it should cleanse those fears you have that are getting in the way.

6. The Waiting - (OMFG Eddie Vedder Edition)

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Another love song, if you didn’t know any better you’d think I was some sort of romantic. Waiting…. Yes it truly is the hardest part. As someone who is impatient, and thinks overly much on matters, this song resonates with me.

7. American Girl - (good lord he looks young in this video)

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First off I really want to know what the one promise was in this song. Second it’s a terrific song, and one about longing for the missed opportunities from our past. Additionally, I kind of like the idea of this woman as a strong female; she couldn’t settle and went after something and it hurts a little but she knows it’s worth it. I remember last time I saw Petty live, I told everyone the concert isn’t over until he plays this song and when he started it you knew it was done.

8. Saving Grace -

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Just a terrific rock song, love the blues guitar in it as well. Probably the only song on this list that’s here just because it’s a great song and not due to some special meaning it has for me.

9. Don’t Come Around Here No More –

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Sure love songs are great, but every so often you need a break-up song. This song’s instrumentation seems almost whimsical compared to the message it’s sending. Another reason to absolutely love this song is the take the director of the music video had on applying Alice and Wonderland to it.

10. Free Fallin’

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I think this song may be unfairly categorized as the most “pop or bubblegum” of Tom Petty’s work; people really don’t seem to get it. The lyrics don’t paint a picture of a sunny day in LA, it’s a take on lost innocence. The loss of something that should have been good, just for the sake of being free and then the fallout the guy has for his efforts.