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.
Here Comes My Girl
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this old town just seems so hopeless
I ain't really sure, but it seems I remember the good times
Were just a little bit more in focus
But when she puts her arms around me
I can somehow rise above it
Yeah, man when I got that little girl standin' right by my side
Here comes my girl
Here comes my girl
Yeah, and she looks so right
She is all I need tonight
Every now and then I get down to the end of the day
I have to stop and ask myself why I've done it
It just seems so useless to have to work so hard
And nothin' ever really seems to come from it
But then she looks me in the eye and says
"We're gonna last forever"
And man, you know I can't begin to doubt it
No, 'cause it just feels so good, so free and so right
I know we ain't never goin' to change our minds about it, hey
Here comes my girl
Here comes my girl
Yeah, and she looks so right
She is all I need tonight (watch her walk)
Every time it seems like there ain't nothin' left no more
I find myself having to reach out and grab hold of something
Yeah, I just catch myself wondering, waiting, worrying
About some silly little things that don't add up to nothin'
And then she looks me in the eye, says
"We're gonna last forever"
And man, you know I can't begin to doubt it
No, 'cause it just feels so good, so free and so right
I know we ain't never gonna' to change our minds about it, hey
Here comes my girl
Here comes my girl
Yeah, and she looks so right
She is all I need tonight
(That's right)
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ song “Here Comes My Girl” is a beautiful love song that describes how a woman makes everything better for the singer. The lyrics start with the singer wondering why his old town seems so hopeless sometimes, but he remembers that the good times were a little more in focus before. Nevertheless, his girl manages to make everything better as the chorus goes “here comes my girl” suggesting a sense of hope and contentment that she brings to his life.
The singer explains that every now and then, he gets down to the end of the day and wonders why he has to work so hard and why nothing ever really seems to come from it. However, his girl assures him that they are going to “last forever” and that she is all he needs tonight. The repetition of the chorus throughout creates an essential anchor that reminds the listener of the role love plays in healing and renewing the soul.
As the song progresses, the singer admits to worrying about some silly little things that don’t add up to anything but catches himself when his girl looks him in the eye and says they will last forever. The singer knows that they will never change their minds as he boasts about the “whole wide world to shove it” while his girl is standing by him. The song’s outstanding lyrical composition and heartfelt performance by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers make it a classic love song that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
You know sometimes, I don't know why
Despite not knowing the reason, there are moments when everything seems hopeless.
But this old town just seems so hopeless
The familiar surroundings seem to have lost their charm and meaning.
I ain't really sure, but it seems I remember the good times
Although the memories of better times are vague, they were more vivid than the present reality.
Were just a little bit more in focus
The happy moments of the past were clearer or brighter than the drab present.
But when she puts her arms around me
When his girlfriend embraces him, it has a magical antidepressant effect.
I can somehow rise above it
The power of love elevates him and gives him a positive outlook.
Yeah, man when I got that little girl standin' right by my side
Having his girlfriend by his side makes all his problems seem small and insignificant.
You know, I can tell the whole wide world to shove it, hey
He's so happy with his girlfriend that he doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks.
Every now and then I get down to the end of the day
At the end of the day, he gets introspective and questions his purpose.
I have to stop and ask myself why I've done it
He questions the value of all his work and effort.
It just seems so useless to have to work so hard
Despite working hard, it feels like he's not accomplishing anything worthwhile in life.
And nothin' ever really seems to come from it
Despite his best efforts, he doesn't see much tangible reward for his work.
But then she looks me in the eye and says
His girlfriend has a profound effect on him and provides him with encouragement.
"We're gonna last forever"
She assures him that their love is everlasting and will never fade.
And man, you know I can't begin to doubt it
He wholeheartedly believes her and has no doubt about it.
No, 'cause it just feels so good, so free and so right
He loves the feeling of being with her – it feels perfect and freeing.
I know we ain't never goin' to change our minds about it, hey
He's confident that they'll always feel this way about each other.
Every time it seems like there ain't nothin' left no more
When he's feeling hopeless and drained, he searches for something to hold onto.
I find myself having to reach out and grab hold of something
He actively seeks something to give him hope and strength when he's feeling down.
Yeah, I just catch myself wondering, waiting, worrying
He gets lost in his thoughts and anxieties, waiting for something to give him a reason to keep going.
About some silly little things that don't add up to nothin'
He realizes that the small things he worries about are inconsequential and meaningless.
Here comes my girl
His girlfriend is approaching, bringing him joy and hope.
Yeah, and she looks so right
She's beautiful and perfect for him.
She is all I need tonight
Being with her is enough to make him happy, he doesn't need anything else.
(watch her walk)
He admires her as she walks towards him, appreciating every detail of her.
(That's right)
He affirms that everything he's been saying is true.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael W. Campbell, Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nucleusmedicalmedia
Love this song. Just found out Mike Campbell wrote it and gave it to Tom to sing.
@jomackenzie7065
I did not know that.
@hiworldstephensonultranate290
LikeUr Name Tom d Genius Today where r they??? cool gt song Refugee That's Right Yom
@hiworldstephensonultranate290
not yom hat i. t. Sorry Tom Tom Petty hope Ur Band Are Around Call in for an Irish Guinness on me! Brian Ireland I'm a Writer me we Need tobe Free Lord Help Us to Do That with Responsibility
@carolfidler5505
I believe Mike gave Tom an idea of it but Tom wrote the melody and words.
@sandramerimee6957
I am sure Tom sang it best.. Hell yeh!
@rubedogg6969
Who else misses Tom Petty in 2024!
@charliesasso8548
Right here.
@audreycastillo6746
Yes😓
@peterfichter6843
RIP Tom.