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.
Jack
Tom Petty Lyrics
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I'm gonna get my baby back
Trouble came ran away
Now you say she's gone to stay
Got fed up, hit the street
Left without a word to me
Oh you don't know
You say what you want to Jack
I'm gonna get my baby back
Suddenly you know my name
Say there's only me to blame
It's gonna rain, it's gonna shine
Gotta stay between the lines
Rolling down a lonely road
You say I should let it go
Wish you would come on down
If you need I'll come around
You say what you want to Jack
I'm gonna get my baby back
Used to have a son named Joe
Where he got to I don't know
Maybe down in Mexico
Livin' off her daddy's dough
If you give me half a chance
I will make her sing and dance
I'm gonna give her all my soul
I'm gonna play her rock and roll
You say what you want to Jack
I'm gonna get my baby back
The song "Jack" by Tom Petty is a story of a man who is trying to get his ex-girlfriend back. The singer is addressing someone named Jack, who may be a friend or acquaintance offering unsolicited advice. The man is determined to get his girlfriend back, and he doesn't care what Jack has to say about it. He is convinced that his ex-girlfriend is the one for him, and he can't move on until he has her back in his life.
Throughout the song, the man reflects on his past relationship and the love he had for his ex-girlfriend. He acknowledges that trouble came and went, and she left him without a word. However, he still can't seem to let go of the feelings he had for her. He even mentions that he used to have a son named Joe, but he doesn't know where he is anymore. He suggests that his ex-girlfriend's wealthy father may be supporting his son in Mexico.
The song's lyrics show the man's unwavering dedication to winning his ex-girlfriend back. He believes that he is the only one who can bring her to life, even promising to play her rock and roll. The lyrics suggest that the man is determined to do whatever it takes to bring his ex-girlfriend back into his life.
Line by Line Meaning
You say what you want to Jack
Tom is addressing someone named Jack and telling him that he is free to say whatever he wants.
I'm gonna get my baby back
Tom is determined to get his girlfriend back.
Trouble came ran away
Some problem occurred which resulted in Tom's girlfriend leaving him abruptly.
Now you say she's gone to stay
Jack, who is perhaps mutual friend, informs Tom that his girlfriend has left for good.
Got fed up, hit the street
Tom's girlfriend left him because of something that was bothering her.
Left without a word to me
Tom's girlfriend didn't inform him when she decided to leave.
Oh you don't know
Tom is telling Jack that he has no idea how deeply he loved his girlfriend.
How the girl could touch my soul
Tom is expressing how much his girlfriend meant to him and how she deeply affected him emotionally.
Suddenly you know my name
The situation with Tom's girlfriend made Jack suddenly aware of Tom's existence.
Say there's only me to blame
Jack is informing Tom that the reason his girlfriend left him was because of his own actions.
It's gonna rain, it's gonna shine
Tom is saying that life is going to have its ups and downs.
Gotta stay between the lines
Tom is suggesting to maintain a balance and not to cross the thin line of sanity.
Rolling down a lonely road
Tom is on a solo journey that is quite isolating, reflecting on the pain of losing someone he loved.
You say I should let it go
Jack suggests Tom to forget about his girlfriend but Tom is not willing to do that.
Wish you would come on down
Tom desires a visit from Jack as his positive presence might help him move on.
If you need I'll come around
Tom is offering Jack help if he ever needs it.
Used to have a son named Joe
Tom had a son named Joe who is not present now.
Where he got to I don't know
Tom doesn't know the whereabouts of his son.
Maybe down in Mexico
Tom is pondering the possibility that his son might be in Mexico.
Livin' off her daddy's dough
Tom thinks that maybe his son is living off someone else's money in Mexico.
If you give me half a chance
Tom believes that he can win back his girlfriend if he has a chance to do so.
I will make her sing and dance
Tom is confident that he can make his girlfriend happy if she gives him a second chance.
I'm gonna give her all my soul
Tom is willing to put in everything he has into their relationship if he gets a chance to be with her again.
I'm gonna play her rock and roll
Tom promises to make her happy and bring her joy by playing her favorite music, rock and roll.
You say what you want to Jack
Tom concludes the song reiterating that Jack can say whatever he wants but Tom is determined to get his girlfriend back.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind