After working with his early bands The Sundowners, The Epics, and Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench) he began his recording career with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers when the band broke onto the national music scene with their 1976 self-titled debut album. Still, it took America a full year to catch up to the album. "Breakdown" was re-released to radio and became a Top 40 hit in 1977 after word filtered back the band was creating a firestorm in England.
He was also a member of The Traveling Wilburys, along with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison. Petty and the Heartbreakers also toured as a backing band for Bob Dylan.
Petty is a vocal critic of the modern recording industry, including the disintegration of independent radio stations.
Petty has been supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. He has occasionally released solo work, as is the case with his 2006 effort, Highway Companion, on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. Examples of other solo albums include Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers
Petty died on 2 October 2017 following a cardiac episode earlier that day at his home in Malibu, California. Although some media outlets incorrectly reported his death following an erroneous police report, his death was confirmed later that day by his publicist and manager.
A Higher Place
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we gotta leave by night
Before that river takes us down
We gotta find somewhere that's dry
We gotta run like we've never run
Or we're gonna lose the light
If we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Well, I fool myself and I don't know why
I thought we could ride this out
I was up all night making up my mind
But now I've got my doubts
I got my eye on the waterline
Trying to keep my sense of humor
But if we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more
We gotta get to a higher place
And I hope we all arrive together
We gotta get to a higher place
If we want to survive the weather
I remember walking with her in town
Her hair was in the wind
I gave her my best kiss
She gave it back again
Yeah, when I add up what I've left behind
I don't want to lose no more
But if we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more
The lyrics to Tom Petty's song A Higher Place paint a picture of urgency, the need for safety, and the longing for something better. The first verse begins with a call to action, encouraging the listener to move to a higher place before the river takes them down, and they seek refuge from the rising tide. The second verse acknowledges the foolishness of the singer's previous optimism in the face of danger and the fear of losing someone or something valuable. The chorus reaffirms the need to find safety together and highlights the importance of helping others along the way.
The third verse provides a poignant moment of reflection for the singer, remembering a tender moment with a loved one, emphasizing what they stand to lose if they don't escape the rising floodwaters. The final chorus brings the song full circle, echoing the urgency of the first verse but with the added weight of knowing what they are fighting to protect.
Overall, the lyrics of A Higher Place offer a powerful message of resilience, determination, and survival in the face of overwhelming obstacles. They inspire us to seek refuge together, help those in need, and keep fighting for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
We gotta get to a higher place
We need to elevate ourselves to an improved state
And we gotta leave by night
We must go unnoticed in order to succeed
Before that river takes us down
We must prevent the dangers that are ahead of us
We gotta find somewhere that's dry
We need to find a safer place to avoid further trouble
We gotta run like we've never run
We must hasten and expedite our journey to safety
Or we're gonna lose the light
If we delay or falter, we'll be left behind in the darkness
If we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
If we don't reach a better place and seek help,
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more
there may be no one left to assist us
Well, I fool myself and I don't know why
I had deceived myself but am unsure of the reason
I thought we could ride this out
I believed we could endure this situation
I was up all night making up my mind
I spent the night deciding what to do
But now I've got my doubts
But now I'm uncertain
I got my eye on the waterline
I'm monitoring the water level
Trying to keep my sense of humor
Attempting to maintain a positive attitude despite the situation
And I hope we all arrive together
I wish for everyone to reach the destination safely and at the same time
If we want to survive the weather
We need to withstand the harsh conditions to stay alive
I remember walking with her in town
I recall strolling with her in the city
Her hair was in the wind
Her hair was blowing in the breeze
I gave her my best kiss
I bestowed upon her my most ardent kiss
She gave it back again
She reciprocated the gesture of affection
Yeah, when I add up what I've left behind
When I consider what I have abandoned
I don't want to lose no more
I don't want to relinquish anything else
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bryan Palmer
Beautiful song,one of my favorites of his RIP Tom
Kim Whitney
Awesome song!! Like a new found treasure while walking on a sandy beach and stumble across that sea shell. 🌴🌴🌊⛱
Victor Novaes
Maravilhosa música.
ratter531
Tom Petty Always Loved, Never Forgotten, Forever missed.
jama harper
My favorite song on this album. I taught my 2 boys how to count music measures in the car on our morning commute by snapping my fingers and counting... God I love this song 🎩💘💔
Ali Cassidy
Mine too and they did it in concert on this tour
mhsewbiz
I love this song too, just can't get it out of my head! It is SO addicting! Sweet story about your boys, counting music measures!
Lisa Roye
I remember walkin with her in town
Her hair was in the wind
I gave her my best kiss she gave it back again.
Simple, yet complex and touching words.
Carol fidler
Great words as always. Brilliant. 💝🎸🎼💐
One Way Ave
I wish they sold the beautiful artwork as posters on there official website. Its stellar.