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.
Rainy Day Women 12 & 35
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to be so good
They'll stone ya just a-like
They said they would
They'll stone ya when you're
Tryin' to go home then they'll stone ya when
You're there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Well, they'll stone ya when you're
Walkin' 'long the street
They'll stone ya when you're tryin'
To keep your seat
They'll stone ya when you're
Walkin' on the floor
They'll stone ya when you're
Walkin' to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
They'll stone ya when you're
At the breakfast table
They'll stone ya when you are young and able
They'll stone ya when you're tryin'
To make a buck
They'll stone ya and then they'll say
"good luck"
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they'll stone you and say
That it's the end
Then they'll stone you and then
They'll come back again
They'll stone you when you're
Riding in your car
They'll stone you when you're
Playing your guitar
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they'll stone you when
You walk all alone
They'll stone you when you are walking home
They'll stone you and then say you are brave
They'll stone you when you are
Set down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
The lyrics to Tom Petty's song "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35" convey a message about the challenges and criticisms one might face when trying to live a good, honest life. The repeated line "They'll stone ya" symbolizes the judgment and condemnation that can come from others, regardless of your actions. The act of being stoned represents being attacked or ostracized for not conforming to societal norms or expectations.
The song suggests that no matter what you do, you cannot escape the scrutiny of others. Whether you're trying to be good, trying to go home, or trying to make a living, there will always be people ready to judge and condemn you. Despite this, the singer asserts that they will not feel alone in facing these challenges because ultimately, everybody must face criticism and judgment at some point in their lives.
"Rainy Day Women 12 & 35" can be interpreted as a social commentary on the tendency of society to criticize and condemn those who dare to be different or challenge the status quo. The lyrics reflect the universal experience of facing judgment and condemnation, reminding listeners that it is a shared human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they'll stone ya when you're
In society, people will criticize and judge you heavily when you are
Trying to be so good
striving to be morally upright and ethical, attempting to do what is right
They'll stone ya just a-like
They will treat you in the same way
They said they would
as they have previously stated
They'll stone ya when you're
When you are in a situation where
Tryin' to go home then they'll stone ya when
attempting to return to your place of comfort, they will criticize you
You're there all alone
when you find yourself isolated and solitary
But I would not feel so all alone
Nevertheless, I refuse to experience complete isolation
Everybody must get stoned
It is an inevitable part of life for everyone to face harsh judgment and condemnation from others
Well, they'll stone ya when you're
In society, people will harshly judge you when you are
Walkin' 'long the street
simply walking along the street
They'll stone ya when you're tryin'
When you are attempting
To keep your seat
to maintain your position or stability
They'll stone ya when you're
They will criticize you when you are
Walkin' on the floor
just walking on the floor
They'll stone ya when you're
They will judge you when you are
Walkin' to the door
moving towards a door
But I would not feel so all alone
However, I refuse to succumb to complete isolation
Everybody must get stoned
It is an unavoidable reality for everyone to face severe criticism and condemnation
They'll stone ya when you're
In society, people will harshly judge you when you are
At the breakfast table
while sitting at the table, having breakfast
They'll stone ya when you are young and able
They will criticize you even when you are young and capable
They'll stone ya when you're tryin'
When you are attempting
To make a buck
to earn money
They'll stone ya and then they'll say
They will condemn you and then proceed to claim
"good luck"
that they wish you well sarcastically
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Let me tell you, I refuse to be overwhelmed by complete isolation
Everybody must get stoned
It is an unavoidable reality for everyone to face severe criticism and condemnation
Well, they'll stone you and say
In society, people will criticize and judge you while claiming
That it's the end
that it signifies the conclusion
Then they'll stone you and then
After that, they will condemn you and subsequently
They'll come back again
return to criticize you once more
They'll stone you when you're
When you are
Riding in your car
travelling in your automobile
They'll stone you when you're
They will judge you when you are
Playing your guitar
performing with your guitar
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
However, I refuse to feel completely isolated
Everybody must get stoned
It is an unavoidable reality for everyone to face severe criticism and condemnation
Well, they'll stone you when
In society, people will harshly judge you when
You walk all alone
you are walking in solitude
They'll stone you when you are walking home
They will criticize you while you walk back to your place of residence
They'll stone you and then say you are brave
They will condemn you and then falsely claim that you possess courage
They'll stone you when you are
They will judge you when you are
Set down in your grave
laid to rest in your burial site
But I would not feel so all alone
Nevertheless, I refuse to experience complete isolation
Everybody must get stoned
It is an unavoidable reality for everyone to face severe criticism and condemnation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacki Stevens
EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED!!!! This concert was on youtube for awile...it was awesome watching Tom do this number. Never heard TPATH do a bad cover and this is no exception.
Bikeluver susie
My favorite Dylan lick and Tommy really beings it to a whole new level. Dope af!
Cliff
Great cover of a great song by a great performer!
Math? Music!
Great cover of Dylan by his late buddy Tom Petty with his Heartbreakers....live!
James Lippincott
One of my favorite covers
Kathy taylor
I'm getting stoned ate a gummy and now I'm happy as hell and I love this song
hollis pencheff
ONE OF MY BIG! FAV'S!
Michael Weil
That awesome bass riff throughout was by the late, great Donald "Duck" Dunn.
stlpaulie
When I first heard it I thought this was Duck Dunn.
Mama Lives
I just climbed out from under my rock, tripped over a stone and found this lol 😆