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.
Think About Me
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
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Your pretty head's gonna turn my way
Honey, oh baby you just wait
One of these nights you're gonna call my name
Oh yeah, one of these days
Girl you better believe, honey wait and see
Yeah, you better believe
Your boyfriend's gotta big red car
Got a compact disc, got a VCR
I can't do no disco dance
But I can sure love you baby if you give me a chance
Oh yeah, one of these days
Girl you better believe, honey wait and see
Yeah, you better believe
You're gonna think about me
I said oh pretty baby, is it something I've said?
Tell me why little baby,
I said why must you play with my head?
Listen little girl I said one of these days
Your pretty head's gonna turn my way
Yeah, one of these days, I know I'm right
You're gonna look for me in the middle of the night
Oh yeah, one of these days
Girl you better believe, honey wait and see
Yeah, you better believe
You're gonna think about me
The lyrics of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' song "Think About Me" revolves around a man who is convinced that one day the girl he desires will think about him. The song's protagonist believes that despite the girl being with someone else, one day she will realize that she made the wrong choice and will come to him. He seems confident that his love will be stronger than her current relationship, and that she will eventually come to him even if it's in the middle of the night. These lyrics show a sense of optimism, perseverance and a bit of possessiveness too.
The lyrics mention the boyfriend of the girl who has a big red car, a compact disc player and a VCR. This indicates that the man's love is not based on material possessions or status, but on genuine emotions. He asserts that he cannot do a disco dance, but that he can love her better if she gives him a chance. It's a simple yet poignant expression of love. The song has a catchy chorus that reinforces his belief that she will certainly think about him in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen little baby one of these days
Pay attention, young lady. At some point in the future...
Your pretty head's gonna turn my way
...you will become attracted to me.
Honey, oh baby you just wait
Be patient, my dear. I promise it will happen.
One of these nights you're gonna call my name
In the near future, you will be compelled to contact me.
Your boyfriend's gotta big red car
I'm aware of your current romantic situation.
Got a compact disc, got a VCR
Your boyfriend has some modern, trendy possessions.
I can't do no disco dance
I'm not particularly skilled at a popular dance craze.
But I can sure love you baby if you give me a chance
Despite my lack of proficiency in dancing, I am confident that I can show you a great deal of affection if you are willing to give me a chance.
I said oh pretty baby, is it something I've said?
Excuse me, lovely lady, have I said something to offend you?
Tell me why little baby,
Could you please explain to me why...
I said why must you play with my head?
...you feel the need to toy with my emotions?
Listen little girl I said one of these days
Once again, pay attention young lady.
Your pretty head's gonna turn my way
Your attention will eventually land on me.
Yeah, one of these days, I know I'm right
I have no doubt that this will happen.
You're gonna look for me in the middle of the night
At some point, you'll feel compelled to search for me even late into the evening or early morning.
Oh yeah, one of these days
Yes, indeed, in the future...
Girl you better believe, honey wait and see
Believe me, my dear. Just wait and see for yourself.
You better believe
Trust me, it will happen.
You're gonna think about me
You will find yourself contemplating me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind