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.
Don't Fade on Me
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first one through the door
And I return to find you drifting
Too far from the shore
I remember feeling this way
You can lose it without knowing
You wake up and you don't notice
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
You were the one who made things different
You were the one who took me in
You were the one thing I could count on
Above all you were my friend
So, don't fade
Don't fade on me (don't do it)
Well your clothes hang on a wire
And the sun is overhead
But today you are too weary
To even leave your bed
Was it love that took you under?
Or did you know too much?
Was it something you could picture?
But never could quite touch?
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
Said "Don't fade"
Hey, don't fade on me
In Tom Petty's song, "Don't Fade on Me," the singer is reminiscing about a person who used to be a constant and reliable figure in his life but has now drifted away. The lyrics contain a sense of desperation and a plea for the person not to lose themselves, both literally and emotionally. The first stanza suggests that the singer remembers the person very clearly, but they seem lost and far away from where they used to be. The second stanza deepens this feeling of disconnection, emphasizing the idea that one can lose themselves without realizing it. The singer seems to be appealing to the person's sense of loyalty and friendship in the third stanza, highlighting how they were the one who made a difference in the singer's life and how important their friendship was. The last stanza reveals the person's current state, lying in bed and too exhausted to even get up. The singer questions whether it was love or some other force that caused the person to fade away but ultimately begs them not to disappear completely.
The song seems to be about the pain of losing someone important to you, whether it be a friend or a lover. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and desperation, with the singer begging the other person not to disappear completely. The central message of the song is clear: desperately wanting someone to stay and not fade away.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember you so clearly
I have a vivid memory of you in my mind
The first one through the door
You were the first person I met
And I return to find you drifting
After some time, I found that you were moving away from me
Too far from the shore
Too distant from the place where we started
You can lose it without knowing
Sometimes you can lose things without realizing
You wake up and you don't notice
You can lose things gradually without noticing
Which way the wind is blowing
Or the direction in which things are happening
You were the one who made things different
You were the person who made my life exciting and changed things for me
You were the one who took me in
You welcomed me into your life
You were the one thing I could count on
You were the only thing I could rely on
Above all you were my friend
Most importantly, you were my friend
Well your clothes hang on a wire
I see your laundry hanging outside on a clothesline
And the sun is overhead
It is daytime and the sun is shining bright
But today you are too weary
But today you seem to be tired and lacking energy
To even leave your bed
To the point where you cannot even get out of bed
Was it love that took you under?
Did you fall in love and get overwhelmed?
Or did you know too much?
Or did you learn something that you weren't meant to know?
Was it something you could picture?
Did you have something in mind?
But never could quite touch?
But you could never quite achieve it?
Said "Don't fade"
I am pleading with you not to lose yourself
Hey, don't fade on me
Please don't let our relationship drift away
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Michael W. Campbell, Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Eudy
One of the great American poets who happened to be a great rock n roller
Melissa Noteboom
Love your comment so much!! 😊💜💚 Back when I was a senior in high school 11+ years ago, my senior project was on the differences & similarities/cohesion vs. separation, with songwriting vs. poetry. :) So you're right on the nail, when you recognize that about Tom!! :) He is soo much both, & amazingly so.. ❤💜 Rest In Peace, our dear one ✨
Erin Marie
They often are
Mark Smith
!!!❤️😎
Thomas S. Lutter
Tom said in an interview, that this song was dedicated to Howie Epstein, his bassist, who passed in 2002 by drug abuse. He was a real dear friend. Tom was such a decent and compassionate guy. With you, Tom, a large piece of humaneness died. RIP T+H
Tom Curless
I was fortunate to see Tom Petty and Heartbreakers Verizon wireless near Indianapolis, Howie was still bassist before Ron Blair returned to take his place. What a great band ,RIP Tom Petty and Howie Epstein
Strange Wayfaring Stranger
The first time I heard this, it gave me chills. And still, to this day, it does. One of my favorite songs, ever. It just hits so many feelings and emotions.
Highland804
We're all so lucky to be here at the same time as Tom Petty. Miss him. Grateful for all the wonderful music.
Strange Wayfaring Stranger
I was in LA when I heard the news. I had hoped he would've pulled through but it wasn't meant to be. But his music will always live on.
Thearia Splamodia
My niece is in the hospital, struggling.
Unlike #GeorgeHarrison, her decisions got her here.
I begged The Universe, give me the words to help her rise above it.
Suddenly, in my head, and in my Heart, I heard Tom’s lyrics, begging, “Don’t fade on me”
My niece was born on Tom’s birthday. She’s only 34, but I introduced her to his music, and she is also a fan.
I might not have the words to help her, but Tom does. I’ll play this for her when I visit tomorrow.