In 1976, Hell either was kicked out of the Heartbreakers or quit the group, depending on whom you believe, and was replaced by Billy Rath, who, according to legend, was a gigolo. Hell went on to form his own band, The Voidoids.
Arriving for a European tour just as the UK punk scene was building momentum, the Heartbreakers developed a following playing in and around London. The band's members and image were widely associated with drug use, specifically, heroin. The Sex Pistols invited them to open for them on the ill-fated Anarchy Tour. They shortly signed with Track Records. Their debut--and only--studio album, L.A.M.F., featured all the Heartbreakers' popular live songs. The release of the album put a huge strain on the band, because of anger among some band members over the poor quality of the mix. Several of the members of the band left at this point. The band reformed in 1979 for a few farewell shows at Max’s Kansas City with drummer Ty Stix sitting in for Nolan. The resulting live album Live at Max's Kansas City '79 is considered a punk classic. The Heartbreakers' song, London Boys, is a swipe at the Sex Pistols, in response to the Pistols' New York, a put-down of the New York Dolls.
The band re-formed occasionally to play at New York clubs until the death of Johnny Thunders in 1991. Jerry Nolan died a few months later, in 1992. Live shows often consisted of songs performed with the New York Dolls or taken from Johnny Thunders' solo career. Richard Hell rarely plays music live, concentrating instead on writing and spoken-word performances. Billy Rath's whereabouts are currently unknown, leading to various rumors such as that he died or became a priest. Walter Lure still performs about once a month with his band the Waldos, performing mostly Heartbreakers songs
Free Fallin
The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
It's a long day living in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy cause I don't even miss her
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
All the vampires walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
A ll the good girls are home with broken hearts
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
I want to glide down over Mulholland
I want to write her name in the sky
Gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for a while
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is an anthem for the bad boy and the good girl, the California sunshine and the dark shadows, and the freedom of letting go. The first verse of the song sets the stage for the character of the “good girl” who loves her mom, Jesus, America, Elvis, horses, and her boyfriend. This girl represents the purity and normalcy of everyday life. However, her world exists among the chaos and tumult of life in California. The second verse contains the element of rebellion that is so prominent in the song-- the juxtaposition of the “bad boy” who doesn’t miss the girl and is therefore guilty of breaking her heart but is still free to do as he pleases.
The iconic chorus, “And I'm free, free fallin' / Yeah, I'm free, free fallin'” is simple yet powerful, with the word “free” repeated twice, signifying the liberation that comes from being completely untethered. The third verse of the song introduces the image of vampires walking through the valley, with the good girls staying home with broken hearts, adding to the complicated and eerie vibe that the song sets up throughout. Finally, the bridge of the song expresses the desire to escape from it all; to glide down over Mulholland Drive, write a name in the sky, and leave the world behind, demonstrating the sense of wanderlust and adventure that is part and parcel of the California dream.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a good girl, loves her mam a
The girl is kind and affectionate towards her mother.
Loves Jesus and America too
She has a deep love and respect for her religion and country.
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
The girl is passionate about Elvis Presley and his music.
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
She also loves horses and is in a relationship with a boyfriend she cares for.
It's a long day living in Reseda
Living in Reseda is a tiresome experience.
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
The house is located near a freeway that passes by their yard.
And I'm a bad boy cause I don't even miss her
The singer is insensitive to the girl's feelings and does not miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
The artist acknowledges that he is at fault for breaking her heart.
And I'm free, free fallin'
The artist feels free and unconstrained, like he's falling.
All the vampires walkin' through the valley
The artist sees people who, like vampires, suck the life out of the environment around them.
Move west down Ventura Boulevard
They move towards the West along Ventura Boulevard.
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
Mischievous boys are keeping a low profile, staying in the shadows.
All the good girls are home with broken hearts
The kind girls are alone in their homes, feeling shattered.
And I'm free, free fallin'
The singer is still feeling free and weightless, just like he's falling.
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
The singer reiterates his sense of freedom as he continues his fall.
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
The spirit of the free flowing fall takes over the artist.
I want to glide down over Mulholland
The artist wants to glide over the Mulholland Drive and experience a sense of pure weightlessness.
I want to write her name in the sky
The singer wants to leave a mark in the world and dedicate it to his former love interest.
Gonna free fall out into nothin'
The singer wants to escape from reality and free fall into nothingness.
Gonna leave this world for a while
The artist wants to leave the world and take refuge from it.
And I'm free, free fallin'
The artist is still expressing his sense of freedom and lightness in his fall.
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
The artist continues to enjoy his freedom as he falls without restraint.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF LYNNE, TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@esmewvimes2901
Just missing Tom today. And every day.
This has to be one of the best albums in Rock history. It's perfect.
I moved across the country only to have my apartment fall through on arrival. Me and my dog had to shack up with a stranger for 6 months.
When I got my place I cranked my Stereo (no neighbors) and danced to Apartment Song with my dog. That was a long time ago, but Tom was there.
Full Moon Fever is my favorite Petty album. Probably because it was my first Tom Petty cassette and I played that fucker till it disintegrated and bought another.
Wildflowers is my next favorite, even before the re-release launched it all the way to whatever gig Tom's playing now.
Tom, I love you more than my clumsy words can say. I miss you so damn bad.
@doylescustoms2643
This was my little brother’s favorite song. He died in 1994, at 7 yrs old. I visit this song to remember him, and use it as the music to my mental montage of his life
@69Phuket
Little guy is already your bezzy mate. My ex Cat is my friends Daughter.. Samsara is a wicked place 2 be. :)
@BADDRIVINGINCANADA
Sorry about your brother passing at such a young age
@jolawolska1451
Och brak słów.Wielka strata.😢
@unni4346
🙏
@chrissiebawn9357
❤🙏❤
@TheIkaraCult
The older i get, the more I feel Tom's songs. He was a true artist.
@annettestobb2847
Yeah... he was a true legendary man of music
He managed to find a new audience every 2 years and always kept the music just as fresh!
#TomPetty
@gamecocks1150
I have heard this song so many times i would turn the radio down or change the station. Going into work the other morning and i turned it up and i thought the same thing you posted.
@matthewestrada5217
Couldn't say it better