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.
Let Yourself Go
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the parking lot or in the lounge
Standing on the corner with the rest of the kids
I say what is it baby, what is it
Let go
I don't know why you just don't blow
Radar love cause you're always around
Following me never saying a word
Looking hypnotically insane
The Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ “Let Yourself Go” is a song with quite a simple structure in terms of lyrics, but the meaning behind every line is not to be underestimated. Tom Petty sings about a woman who seems to be stalking him, always present wherever he goes. He notices her in the crowd wherever he is; he sees her in the parking lot or possibly in a bar. She seems to be one in a group of “kids” who hang out on street corners. Petty tries to figure out why this woman is pursuing him so intently, as he asks her to “let go” and “blow.”
Petty seems to be exasperated with this woman and the attention she is giving him. He can’t understand why someone is so obsessed with him, hence why he calls it “Radar love” which means she's always around at the right place at the right time. Even though she's not communicating with him, he recognizes that she is looking at him in a “hypnotically insane” manner. The song doesn't seem to be entirely about romantic love, as Petty seems to be almost uncomfortable with the woman's intensity. It could be interpreted as a message about the idea of letting go of jealous and obsessive behavior in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh everyplace I go I see your face in the crowd
No matter where I go, I can’t seem to escape thoughts of you.
In the parking lot or in the lounge
Even mundane locations remind me of you.
Standing on the corner with the rest of the kids
You blend in with everyone else, but I can still spot you.
I say what is it baby, what is it
I can’t help but wonder what it is about you that captures my attention.
Let go
You should let go of whatever is holding you back from pursuing me.
I don't know why you just don't blow
I don’t know why you don’t make a move to be with me.
Oh what is it baby that drives you wild
I’m curious about what qualities about me that ignite your passion.
Radar love cause you're always around
Your attention towards me feels like radar love, as if you’re constantly keeping an eye on me.
Following me never saying a word
You trail me without communicating your feelings.
Looking hypnotically insane
Your fixation on me is intense and almost obsessive.
Lyrics © CYPMP
Written by: TIMOTHY PAGNOTTA, VICCI MARTINEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HabsFan123
Fun song, so groovy and cool. Tom Petty you are a legend.
mormech
Tom Petty back on his true form. Mike Campbell on this album living up to his reputation as the guitarist who never wasted a note
lysette me
I love this album.
Bitchen60s
I love love love love love love love this song. It has such imagery, and it makes you want to dance. I wish they had performed it at the Hollywood Bowl, but they have so many hits off of the MOJO album, so.... And, I hope Tom keeps writing, and, whomever writes with Tom, if any.
Matias Ezequiel Aranda
amo a tom petty y su banda
Paul Burke
This is the quality you get when the artists are allowed to create without corporate interference.
steelyman08
He made sure of that! Brave guy.
jblcva
Tom said this was his best record to date...RIP Bro..
Lori Rothenbush
Music to lay back & take it in. Thanks Tom
Anel Duratovic
tom petty is such a badass and deff one of the best RnR song writers around!