Petty was supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. He has occasionally released solo work, as was the case with his 2006 album Highway Companion on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. However, members of The Heartbreakers have played on each of his solo albums and the band has always backed him when touring in support of those albums.
After the Petty's previous band Mudcrutch disbanded, Petty, never one to give up, enlisted Mudcrutch members Tench (keyboards) and Mike Campbell (guitar), along with Gainesville musicians Ron Blair (bass) and Stan Lynch (drums) to form the now famous lineup that was dubbed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They released their first album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in November 1976. In 2006, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of that release.
This lineup stayed intact for four records and was responsible for some of the most infectious songs ("American Girl", "Breakdown", "Listen To Her Heart", "Refugee", "I Need To Know", "Don't Do Me Like That") and one of the most critically acclaimed albums ("Damn the Torpedoes") of all time. Their tremendous success catapulted them from club band to arena rockers seemingly overnight.
Bassist Blair split the band in 1982 and was replaced by Howie Epstein, a protege of seminal rocker Del Shannon. Epstein's solid playing and soaring backing vocals further complemented the band's live attack. Without missing a beat, they headed back into the studio to record a string of successful albums, including the classic "Long After Dark". In 1994, Stan Lynch left the Heartbreakers to pursue other musical challenges and Steve Ferrone (well regarded for his work with the Average White Band and Eric Clapton) soon became the Heartbreakers' chosen drummer.
Most recently, at a time when many of their contemporaries have long since grown complacent, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have in 2002 released one of their finest and most controversial efforts - featuring some of Petty's most moving songs. Recorded both before and following the group's 2002 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, "The Last DJ", reflected Petty's strong views about the state of the music business and the culture generally. With the departure of Howie Epstein, "The Last DJ" marked another notable return: after two decades away, founding Heartbreaker Ron Blair returned to the band's rhythm section. In 2010, The Heartbreakers released the well received album "Mojo".
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.
For Real
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh brother, could we be so dumb?
They set us up like dominoes
I didn't do it for no magazine
Didn't do it for no video
Never did it for no CEO
But I did it for real
I did it for me
'Cause it was all that rang true
I did it for real
And I did it for you
Might've done it for my sanity
Maybe done it for my vanity
Could be I did it for my picky goal
But I did it for real
Would've done it for free
Yeah, I did it for me
'Cause it was all that rang true
I did it for real
And I did it for you, too
Oh brother, look what we've become
Oh brother, I've been overrun
Only did it for the way it made me feel
Yeah I did it for real
Would've done it for free
Yeah I did it for me
'Cause it was all that rang true
I did it for real
And I did it for you
The song "For Real" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is a reflective piece that recognizes the efforts made to achieve success in music, and the potential cost it incurs on one's integrity. The chorus repeats the line "Would've done it for free, yeah I did it for me, 'cause it was all that rang true, I did it for real, and I did it for you" , which conveys the notion that the heartbreakers play their music because it is authentic to themselves and their craft. They take pride in the artistry that they have produced, and while there may have been superficial gains in popularity, the heartbreakers did not create their music with the intention of fame or fortune, but for the love of music itself.
The song also recognizes the subtle manipulation that may occur in the entertainment industry. The lines "They set us up like dominoes, I didn't do it for no magazine, didn't do it for no video, never did it for no CEO," highlight the fact that various individuals and entities pressure artists to play their music for profit and marketability, and these expectations may result in the artist losing control of their musical direction. Despite the potential consequences, the heartbreakers play their music for the sake of their craft.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh brother, look what we've become
Reflecting on the current situation and acknowledging that it's not what they had hoped for.
Oh brother, could we be so dumb?
Questioning the actions that led them to this point and whether they made the right choices.
They set us up like dominoes
Feeling like they were manipulated or set up to fail by external forces.
I didn't do it for no magazine
Clarifying that their actions were not driven by a desire for fame or recognition.
Didn't do it for no video
Further emphasizing that their actions were not done for the purpose of being captured on film or video.
Never did it for no CEO
Highlighting that their actions were not driven by money or pleasing higher-ups in a company.
But I did it for real
Asserting that their actions were genuine and authentic.
Would've done it for free
Expressing that their motivation was not tied to financial gain and that they would have done it regardless.
I did it for me
Affirming that their actions were driven by personal goals and desires.
'Cause it was all that rang true
Explaining that their actions aligned with their own personal truth and beliefs.
And I did it for you
Acknowledging that others may have benefited from their actions as well.
Might've done it for my sanity
Considering that their actions may have been a coping mechanism or for their own mental well-being.
Maybe done it for my vanity
Admitting that their actions may have been influenced by a desire to boost their own ego or self-image.
Could be I did it for my picky goal
Admitting that their actions may have been driven by a specific and personal goal.
But I did it for real
Reiterating that their intentions were genuine and sincere.
And I did it for you, too
Clarifying that others were also considered in their actions and that they wanted to make a positive impact on those around them.
Oh brother, I've been overrun
Expressing disappointment and frustration that their efforts may not have been successful or effective.
Only did it for the way it made me feel
Emphasizing that their actions were driven by personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
Yeah I did it for real
Reiterating that their actions were authentic and genuine.
Would've done it for free
Stressing that their actions were not motivated by financial gain.
Yeah I did it for me
Expressing that their actions were driven by personal desires and goals.
'Cause it was all that rang true
Reinforcing that their actions aligned with their personal beliefs and values.
And I did it for you
Affirming that others were also considered in their actions and that they wanted to make a positive impact.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rhys Jones
This track and video are great. The video captures Tom so brilliantly at stages throughout his epic career.
The lyrics demonstrate Tom Petty perfectly. A man who did it his own way. A man with no ulterior motive, a man who just wanted to make music and who had morals.
RIP 🎸 🎶
Evelyn Baron
Yess!!!!
Jon Witkop
Can't even express how much I miss seeing Tom in concert. I always loved how he interacted with not only the crowd, but with the rest of the band. There will never be another Tom Petty.
The Breaks Inc.
I've taken a deep dive into Tom's music the last few weeks, listening to almost half of his albums at this point, and I'm very happy I did. I had always known him as the guy who sang "American Girl." How wrong I was. I now rank him among my favorite musicians of all time. This song reminds me of "Real Love" off The Beatles Anthology, at least, it evokes the same feelings of a life well-lived, and how grateful his fans are for all the music he's left behind. A true legend.
Evelyn Baron
I actually knew him through my sister in the music industry and still blown away at not only his ability to take songs which resonated with everyone on some level but his profound sense of responsibility. There never was and never will be anyone like Tom Petty who,despite his projects and deep love for Dana, simply died too soon, ... there's an image in For Real where he's on his knees in front of the audience which breaks my heart and always will.
On a different note if you did all this research, underrated albums; Highway Companion Echo and the last; Hypnotic Eye. Really appreciated your comments. Best wishes!
Ronald Schuberth
Tom Petty blows the Beatles off the planet. Back then there was no competition in today’s world the Beatles would have never even made it out of the garage this includes Elvis. Tom Petty is the king of rock and roll music since he formed mudcrunch
Ronald Schuberth
An unexpected early demise in 2017, only 66. Was robbed of his chance of enjoining the 94 million dollar bank account!
The Breaks Inc.
@Ronald Schuberth Your assertion that Petty blows the Beatles off the planet is unnecessary, irrelevant, and incorrect. There was plenty of competition back then as well; that claim is nonsense. On top of that, neither Petty nor The Beatles "made it" in today's world. They both started out over 60ish and 50ish years ago. Nothing you wrote really makes any sense. I honestly don't understand the ridiculous need some people have in diminishing the importance of The Beatles. Is it simply to be rebellious? I don't get it.
Kevin Smith
Descansa Tom. Tú grandeza y canciones seguirán perdurando por siempre 💕.
PettyHero. 😢
The Pipe Nook
Thank you, Tom. Thanks to everyone...Mike and all the folks who helped bring this music to the world. Tom, you were and still are, the Best.