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.
Hard on Me
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep that little girl smiling
And keep my faith alive
Takes all I got to hold on to tomorrow
And you want to make it hard
You want to make it hard on me
I'd be understanding
You were supposed to be
The friend that I needed when I was down and now
You want to make it hard
Yeah, you want to make it hard on me
Maybe if I tried, I could turn the other cheek
Maybe, but how big do I have to be
Now you want to make it hard
Yeah, you want to make it hard on me
Maybe if I tried, I could turn the other cheek
Maybe, but how big do I have to be
I need someone
To put their arm around me
Shelter me from all harm
Just as I find something to believe in
You want to make it hard
You want to make it hard on me
Yeah, you want to make it hard
You want to make it hard on me
The lyrics of Tom Petty's song "Hard on Me" convey the struggles of the singer to keep going despite the challenges he faces. He talks about trying to keep a little girl smiling and holding onto his faith to have hope for tomorrow. He seems to be going through a tough time and is seeking comfort in someone who he thought was a friend. However, this supposed friend is making things harder for him, and he feels betrayed. Petty tries to convince himself that he can turn the other cheek, but he wonders how much bigger he needs to be to do that.
In the end, he just needs someone to be there for him and protect him from harm. The repetition of the line "you want to make it hard on me" highlights the theme of struggles and challenges. It seems like the person who is causing him difficulties is someone he once trusted, and the betrayal hurts him. The lyrics are relatable and express the human tendency of trying to hold on to hope in difficult times and the desire for comfort and support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all I can do
I'm putting in my best effort
To keep that little girl smiling
To make my loved one happy
And keep my faith alive
And not let my hope die
Takes all I got to hold on to tomorrow
I'm barely hanging on to hope for better days
And you want to make it hard
But you are trying to make my life difficult
Some other time
In a different situation
I'd be understanding
I would forgive you
You were supposed to be
I expected you to be
The friend that I needed when I was down and now
The one who was there for me when I was in need
Yeah, you want to make it hard on me
But you're not being a friend right now
Maybe if I tried, I could turn the other cheek
I could try to be patient and forgiving
Maybe, but how big do I have to be
Maybe, but it's hard to keep being the bigger person
I need someone
I require someone
To put their arm around me
To embrace me with care
Shelter me from all harm
Protect me from danger
Just as I find something to believe in
Just when I'm starting to feel hopeful
You want to make it hard
But you're making it more difficult for me
Yeah, you want to make it hard on me
And it's not helping me in any way
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlasullivan3637
I miss Tom so much 😢
@stoneymahoney911
Me too.. Tom and Anthony Bourdain's death actually made me tear up when I heard the news.
@skodty
Me too. I was fortunate enough to see him right before he passed. Literally, his 5th to last show.
@Rook0759
I been finding comfort in this track lately a lot. "You were supposed to be the friend that I needed"....but not only do you not do that... You double down and seemingly intend on pushing... And then... She'll wonder why I'm gone. I'm sure though.... Like everything, it'll be my fucking fault.
Thanks for nothing!
@travelfoxxxx
This song never got enough attention. Classic.
@edmundpankiewicz9860
Tom Pretty - honey for my soul!
@gary8086
Edmund Pankiewicz
Exactly!
Great comment sir.
@DidYouReadEULA
Such an amazing song, Steve Ferrone is a master drummer adding so much to this.
@travelfoxxxx
Agreed! The percussion in this track remarkable
@teklagogua1488
This is tom petty's one of the greatest song