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.
Southern Accents
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I come from
The young 'uns call it country
The Yankees call it dumb
I got my own way of talkin'
But everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
Now that drunk tank in Atlanta's
Just a motel room to me
Think I might go work Orlando
If them orange groves don't freeze
I got my own way of workin'
And everything is run
With a southern accent
Where I come from
For just a minute there, I was dreaming
For just a minute, it was all so real
For just a minute, she was standing there, with me
And there's a dream I keep having
Where my mama comes to me
And kneels down over by the window
And says a prayer for me
I got my own way of prayin'
And everyone's begun
With a southern accent
Where I come from
I got my own way of livin'
And everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
Tom Petty's "Southern Accents" is a poignant reflection of his Southern roots, imbued with nostalgia, pride, and introspection. The opening lines evoke the distinct vernacular and culture of the South, and how it is often misunderstood or underestimated by outsiders. Petty acknowledges his own distinctive way of talking and working, steeped in a Southern accent and sensibility. He then switches gears to describe his own personal dream of being reunited with his mother, which highlights the theme of family, legacy, and faith that permeates the song.
The verses are interspersed with a wistful refrain that emphasizes the enduring power of a Southern accent and its role in shaping one's identity and worldview. Petty's delivery is equal parts mournful and celebratory, capturing the duality of the South's complex history and culture. Ultimately, the song is a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the region and its people, as well as a testament to the enduring influence of Southern culture on American music and life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a southern accent
The way I talk has a distinct Southern accent.
Where I come from
I come from a region where a Southern accent is typical.
The young 'uns call it country
The younger generation calls our Southern accent country.
The Yankees call it dumb
To people from the North, our Southern accent sounds unintelligent.
I got my own way of talkin'
I have my own unique way of speaking with a Southern accent.
But everything is done
Despite the accent, I still go about my business as usual.
With a southern accent
My accent influences every aspect of my life.
Now that drunk tank in Atlanta's
The Atlanta jail cell I once ended up in recently is just another place to me now.
Just a motel room to me
The Atlanta drunk tank holds no particular significance to me now that I'm out.
Think I might go work Orlando
I may take a job in Orlando soon.
If them orange groves don't freeze
I hope the orange groves in Orlando don't face any extreme weather conditions.
I got my own way of workin'
I have my own unique way of approaching my job, which is influenced by my Southern background.
And everything is run
Despite my unique approach, everything runs smoothly.
For just a minute there, I was dreaming
I recently had a vivid dream that felt extremely real.
For just a minute, it was all so real
The dream felt so real, I almost believed it actually occurred.
For just a minute, she was standing there, with me
In the dream, a woman who is close to me was with me.
And there's a dream I keep having
I have a recurring dream that I can't seem to shake.
Where my mama comes to me
In the dream, my mother appears to me.
And kneels down over by the window
In the dream, my mother kneels near a window, possibly to pray.
And says a prayer for me
In the dream, my mother says a prayer with me in mind.
I got my own way of prayin'
In my religious practice, I have my own unique way of praying that is influenced by my Southern heritage.
And everyone's begun
Despite my unique approach, others have followed it and adopted my way of praying.
I got my own way of livin'
My way of living is influenced by my Southern roots.
And everything is done
Despite my unique lifestyle, everything gets done as it should.
With a southern accent
My accent touches every part of my life and personality.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind