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.
Out in the Cold
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
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I walked out in the street
Daydreamed for a mile or two
Staring at my feet like a working boy
Out of luck, falling through the cracks
Night rolled in, I turned back home
A hard wind at my back
There's nowhere to go
I'm out in the cold
When I woke up my brain was stunned
I could not come around
I reached out to grab my keys
And tumbled to the ground
I thought of you starry-eyed, I wonder where we stand?
Did I just fall from your arms
Down into your hands?
I'm out in the cold, body and soul
There's nowhere to go
I'm out in the cold
I'm standing in a door-way
I'm out walking 'round, hands in my pockets
I'm out in the cold, body and soul
There's nowhere to go
I'm out in the cold
The song "Out in the Cold" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers paints a picture of a person who is lost and disconnected in life. The first verse sets a mood of gloom as the day turns into night and the cold air hits the person's face as they walk aimlessly on the street. The lyrics suggest that the person feels like a "working boy" who is falling through the cracks, indicating that their life lacks direction and purpose. The second verse deepens this feeling of disconnection and confusion as the person wakes up feeling stunned and unable to get their bearings. The lyrics also imply that the person is lost in a relationship and unsure of where they stand with the other person.
The chorus of "Out in the Cold" repeats the phrase "I'm out in the cold, body and soul, there's nowhere to go." This repetition reinforces the idea of feeling lost and isolated, with no clear path forward. The bridge adds to this feeling of aimlessness with the imagery of the person standing in a doorway and walking around with their hands in their pockets. The song ends without any resolution, leaving the listener with a feeling of uncertainty and hopelessness.
Overall, "Out in the Cold" is a melancholic and introspective song that explores themes of isolation, confusion, and disconnection. It is a powerful reflection on the human experience of feeling lost and searching for a way back home.
Line by Line Meaning
The day fell down, the air got cold
The sun has set and the temperature has dropped
I walked out in the street
I went outside
Daydreamed for a mile or two
Got lost in thought while walking for a while
Staring at my feet like a working boy
Looking down at the ground like someone who is tired from working hard
Out of luck, falling through the cracks
Unfortunate and forgotten by society
Night rolled in, I turned back home
It became dark so I went back home
A hard wind at my back
Strong wind blowing against me
I'm out in the cold, body and soul
I feel isolated and alone
There's nowhere to go
I have no direction or purpose
When I woke up my brain was stunned
I woke up feeling disoriented
I could not come around
I couldn't shake off the feeling
I reached out to grab my keys
I tried to grab my keys
And tumbled to the ground
But fell down instead
I thought of you starry-eyed, I wonder where we stand?
Thinking of someone with a sense of admiration, but unsure about the state of the relationship
Did I just fall from your arms
Did I just lose your love and support
Down into your hands?
Only to be treated carelessly or neglected
I'm standing in a door-way
I'm in a doorway
I'm out walking 'round, hands in my pockets
I'm walking aimlessly with my hands in pockets
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind