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.
Waiting For Tonight
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
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Past the skateboards and the beggars
I was out looking in the windows
Just out walking, letting my mind roam
If she hung around too much I might take her for granted
But when I was away, she seemed an angel
The only one who really cared about me
The only one without an angle
Now I'm too weak to fight
I've been waiting for tonight
I've been waiting for tonight
(Good night my love, sleep tight my love)
Yes and I had a little time to kill
As I crossed the parking lot
And I was feeling lucky to have a place to go
Yeah my nerves were feeling shot
For so long I've been weary
There was no end in sight
I've been waiting for tonight
I've been waiting for tonight
(Good night my love, sleep tight my love)
Oh I've been waiting 'round
For a night like this
Yeah I felt it coming down
Since her first kiss
(Good night my love)
Yeah and I'm wrestling with my overcoat
Yeah I'm fighting with my thoughts
I'm gonna trust my intuition
I'm gonna hope I don't get lost
For some time I've been lonely
I've been too weak to fight
I've been waiting for tonight
I've been waiting for tonight
(Good night my love, sleep tight my love)
The lyrics of Tom Petty's song "Waiting For Tonight" tell the story of a man who is wandering down the boulevard, observing the people and things around him. As he walks, he reflects on his relationship with his significant other. He notes that when he is with her too much, he may take her for granted. However, when he is away from her, he realizes that she is the only one who truly cares about him without any hidden motives. The man expresses that he has been battling with loneliness and weariness for a long time, with no end in sight. However, he has been waiting for tonight, hoping to find solace in his relationship and forget the troubles of his life.
The song highlights the theme of loneliness and the struggle to find a meaningful connection with others. It also shows the human tendency to take things for granted and only appreciate them when they are gone. The lyrics express a longing for a sense of purpose and the hope that one day everything will fall into place.
Line by Line Meaning
I went walking down the Boulevard
I took a stroll down the busy street
Past the skateboards and the beggars
I walked by the skateboarders and those asking for money
I was out looking in the windows
I was browsing in the shop windows
Just out walking, letting my mind roam
I was casually walking, letting my thoughts wander
If she hung around too much I might take her for granted
If we spent too much time together, I might not appreciate her enough
But when I was away, she seemed an angel
When I was not with her, she appeared like an angel
The only one who really cared about me
She was the only one who truly cared for me
The only one without an angle
She had no ulterior motives or hidden intentions
For so long I've been lonely
I have been alone for quite some time
Now I'm too weak to fight
I feel too tired to struggle
I've been waiting for tonight
I have been waiting for this particular night
Yes and I had a little time to kill
I had some spare time on my hands
As I crossed the parking lot
As I walked across the parking area
And I was feeling lucky to have a place to go
I felt fortunate to have somewhere to head to
Yeah my nerves were feeling shot
I was anxious and edgy
For so long I've been weary
I have been tired for quite some time
There was no end in sight
It seemed like it will never end
Oh I've been waiting 'round
I have been waiting around for some time
For a night like this
For a night like this one
Yeah I felt it coming down
I sensed this moment was approaching
Since her first kiss
From the moment she kissed me
Yeah and I'm wrestling with my overcoat
I am struggling with my jacket
Yeah I'm fighting with my thoughts
I am battling with my own thoughts
I'm gonna trust my intuition
I will rely on my instincts
I'm gonna hope I don't get lost
I am hoping I will not become bewildered
I've been waiting for tonight
I have been waiting for this particular night
Good night my love, sleep tight my love
A comforting farewell to his love
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind