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.
Spike
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Oh, we got another one, just like the other ones
Another bad ass, another trouble-maker
I'm scared, ain't you boys scared?
I wonder if he's gonna show us what bad is?
Think we oughta throw ol' Spike a bone?
Make me say, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Oh here's another misfit, another Jimmy Dean
Bet he's got a motorbike
What'a why'all think?
Bet if we be good we'll get a ride on it
If he ain't too mad about the future
Maybe we oughta help him see
The future ain't what it used to be
Listen, hey Spike what'd like?
Hey Spike what'd like?
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
Oh hey Spike what'd like?
Hey Spike, you're scarin' my wife
Hey Spike, tell us 'bout life?
Could you tell me about life?
I'm may need, need, a dog collar to, boy
It might make me say, say owh
I might say, I might say
The lyrics in Tom Petty's song Spike highlight the nature of stereotypes, specifically of how society tends to categorize and judge people based on their appearance. The song tells the story of a group of people who are scared of a new stranger in their town, described as a "bad ass" and a "troublemaker," with a "dog collar on." The group of people are unsure of what to expect from him and wonder if he is going to show them what "bad" is. In the second verse, the group talks about another misfit, similar to the previous individual, who they believe is likely to have a motorbike. They express the idea that the best way to handle Spike is to be friendly and offer him kindness, but they also highlight their fear and uncertainty around people who may not fit in with their idea of normal.
The tune highlights the way individuals are fast to judge and afraid of the unknown, often worrying about the worst in people before they get to know them. Moreover, the song is also a critique of conformity and how society tends to push aside people who don't fit in. The conflict in the song is between the people who want to learn and be friendly with a new stranger, and those who are scared of Spike, his dog collar, and the fact that he doesn't fit in with their idea of normality.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, we got another one, just like the other ones
There is a new person who has arrived and is similar to the rest of them.
Another bad ass, another troublemaker
He is perceived to be another misfit who causes trouble.
I'm scared, ain't you boys scared?
The singer is apprehensive and is wondering whether others share his feeling.
I wonder if he's gonna show us what bad is?
The artist is curious to see if the new person's bad behavior would be worse than what they've seen before.
Boys, we got a man with a dog collar on
The new person is wearing a dog collar, indicating that he may be unconventional.
You think we oughta' throw ol' Spike a bone?
The singer asks if they should be kind to Spike, the new person.
Hey Spike what do you like?
The singer is asking Spike what his interests are.
Here's another misfit, another Jimmy Dean
The new person is perceived to be someone who doesn't fit in, similar to the actor James Dean.
Bet he's got a motorbike, What do ya'll think?
The artist speculates on Spike's possessions, wondering if he has a motorcycle.
Bet if we be good we'll get a ride on it
If they behave in a way that Spike approves of, they may be rewarded by getting to ride on his motorcycle.
If he ain't too mad about the future
If Spike is not too upset about what lies ahead.
Maybe we oughta help him see the future ain't what it used to be
Perhaps they should make Spike realize that the future is not what it used to be.
Hey Spike, you're scarin' my wife
The singer's wife is scared of Spike, and he is trying to calm her down.
Hey, Spike what do you like?
The singer is asking Spike again about his interests to get to know him better.
Please Spike, tell us 'bout life?
The singer is asking Spike to share his views on life with them.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimjohnson344
Tightest band in U.S. band history. They gave their everything, individually and collectively, on every tune they played for 40 years. They are the Beatles, Stones and Queen all rolled into one. R.I.P. Tom Petty and Howie Epstein. Stay strong to all the rest of the Heartbreakers still rockin' today.
@Gatorbuc7
Well said
@vonvanhoolandt4483
OK I can respect your opinion but I’m going to interject this thought too you have you ever been to a CSNY concert ? Nuff said
@1guitar12
@Von Vanhoolandt Good point Von. Which nursing home are they playing?
@thetompettyproject
The new Fillmore release confirms this conclusively.
@Mezbourian
True dat. Saw him live in DC and Stevie Nicks made a surprise appearance for 4 songs. Encores galore. Great show. i miss him like Iknew him.
@crusadercat7158
How can you not love Tom Petty? ❤️
@willdigg1448
I'm Scared, Ain't You Boys Scared?
Hey Spike, Tell Us Bout Life.
I have loved this song from the very first time I ever heard it. Petty Rocks!!
@boblelder1278
where I am it's SKEEERED!!
@steelyman08
Not one that gets a lot of exposure, but it's in my top 10 TP songs as well. That groove! Reminds me a bit of Jack from Highway Companion.