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.
The Damage You've Done
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, uh huh
Well I wish I had a dollar
For every piece of my broken heart
Yeah if they gave out a quarter
For every thread of my shattered life
But it wouldn't repair the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Well I wish I was a blue bird
Honey, I'd just fly away
And look down over my shoulder
At the country down below
Baby you could make a king
It wouldn't mean a thing
Compare the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Yeah
Well, I wish I knew you better
Yeah, I wish I was close to you
Then maybe I would understand exactly what
I never did do, honey what's wrong? What's wrong?
Yeah I wish you kind of liked me
I wish you'd spare my pain
Why do you want to destroy me baby?
What did I do wrong?
Baby I could be a millionaire and I wouldn't care
After the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Honey you would make me a king
It wouldn't mean a thing
After the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Yes I'm talking about the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me (alright)
"The Damage You've Done" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is an emotional song about heartbreak and the aftermath of a failed relationship. Throughout the lyrics, Petty paints a picture of how much pain the subject has caused him. The opening lines reveal just how much damage has been done, as he wishes he had a dollar for every piece of his broken heart and a quarter for every thread of his shattered life. He explains that the subject has caused irreparable harm, and even if he were a millionaire, it wouldn't be enough to fix the damage that's been done.
In the second verse, Petty compares himself to a bluebird that wishes to fly away and escape from the destruction the subject has brought upon him. He admits that even if the subject were to make him a king, it wouldn't matter, as the damage has already been done. The chorus reiterates his pain and emphasizes the damage that has been done to him, while the final verse demonstrates his confusion and desire to understand why the subject would want to destroy him.
Overall, "The Damage You've Done" is a heartfelt and relatable song about the pain of heartbreak and the lasting effects it can have on a person. The lyrics are raw and honest, making it easy for listeners to connect with Petty's emotions and understand the depth of the damage that's been done.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, keep it up there
Sarcastic encouragement for the person to keep causing damage
Well I wish I had a dollar
For every piece of my broken heart
Expressing how much emotional pain and heartbreak the person has experienced
Yeah if they gave out a quarter
For every thread of my shattered life
Alluding to the many problems and difficulties in the person's life as a result of the damage caused by the other person
Baby you'd make me a millionaire
But it wouldn't repair the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Acknowledging that even if the offending party were to compensate for the damage, it couldn't undo the harm that has already been caused
Well I wish I was a blue bird
Honey, I'd just fly away
And look down over my shoulder
At the country down below
Fantasizing about escape and getting away from the painful situation
Baby you could make a king
It wouldn't mean a thing
Compare the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Emphasizing that no amount of money or success could outweigh the damage that has already been done to the person
Well, I wish I knew you better
Yeah, I wish I was close to you
Then maybe I would understand exactly what
I never did do, honey what's wrong? What's wrong?
Expressing bewilderment and confusion about why the other person has been causing so much hurt and damage
Yeah I wish you kind of liked me
I wish you'd spare my pain
Why do you want to destroy me baby?
What did I do wrong?
Asking why the other person seems to derive satisfaction from causing harm to the person, and wondering if there was anything the person did to deserve this treatment
Baby I could be a millionaire and I wouldn't care
After the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Again emphasizing that no amount of money or success could make up for the emotional harm caused by the other person
Honey you would make me a king
It wouldn't mean a thing
After the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me
Repeating the sentiment that even the highest levels of success and power would be meaningless in the face of the damage caused by the other person
Yes I'm talking about the damage that you've done
The damage that you've done
The damage that you've done to me (alright)
Reiterating the central theme of the song, that the other person has caused significant harm and damage to the person
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind