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.
Something in the Air
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
Run through the fields and houses
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Call out the instigator
Because there's something in the air
We've got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here
And you know it's right
And you know that it's right
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
The lyrics to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' song "Something in the Air" are a call to action for revolution. The instigator is being called upon to start something because there is a change coming. The lyrics are urging everyone to come together sooner rather than later, to unite for the impending revolution. There's a feeling in the air that suggests that things need to change, and the time for it is now.
The repetition of "And you know it's right" emphasizes the sense of determination to bring about this change. Petty is calling for unity amongst all people, no matter their background or social status. The line "Run through the fields and houses" suggests freedom, and the need to break free from what is holding us back. Petty's lyrics are an invitation to take part in a revolution against the system and forge a new era of equality and liberty for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Call the instigator
Summon the person who incites or initiates change
Because there's something in the air
Because there is a feeling or energy that suggests imminent change
We've got to get together sooner or later
We must come together at some point in time
Because the revolution's here
Because the time has come for a significant change to occur
And you know it's right
You are aware that it is the correct decision or action to take
And you know that it's right
You have a strong conviction that the time for change is righteous
We have got to get it together
We must unite as one collective group
We have got to get it together now
We must come together immediately
Run through the fields and houses
Move freely through the environment
Call out the instigator
Summon the person who initiates or inspires radical change
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC., Abkco Music, Inc., SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: JOHN KEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind