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.
We Stand a Chance
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because I don't know what I might do next
No I'm surprised by this, frightened by this
Nothin' ever got me so out of my head, baby
We stand a chance
We stand a chance
Yeah, and I could be wrong, but you never know
Oh, God knows I love you
God knows I do,
Baby will you let me just prove it to you
Come here to me baby, come here to me now
I want to talk to you, talk to you
And tell you somehow, that
We stand a chance
We stand a chance
Yeah, and I could be wrong, but you never know
We could stand the chance of a real love
I'm so moved, I'm so changed
My whole world is a fountain of flame
We stand a chance
We stand a chance
Yeah, and I could be wrong, but you never know
We could stand the chance of a real love
"We Stand a Chance" is a song about the tenacity of love that can transcend all common sense and even when it seems unlikely. Tom Petty is surprised and frightened by the intensity of his emotions, and he wants his lover to steer clear because he feels like he is losing his mind. However, despite his fears about his feelings and the uncertainty of where they will take him, he fervently believes that they stand a chance of making a real love connection. He pleads with his lover to trust in his commitment and take a chance on this budding romance that could turn out to be something significant.
The song's steady rhythm and upbeat melody underscore the feeling of hope and possibility, as though anything is possible if both parties are willing to work at it. Petty's vulnerability in the lyrics adds to the song's authenticity, showcasing that even the most successful and famous people are susceptible to the overwhelming emotions of fear, love and uncertainty. Overall, the song conveys a message of optimism and honesty - that despite what people may say or do, standing a chance can still mean everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand back from me honey
I need some space because I'm not sure what I'm capable of right now.
Because I don't know what I might do next
I'm feeling unpredictable and uncertain about my actions.
No I'm surprised by this, frightened by this
I'm feeling overwhelmed and scared by my emotions.
Nothin' ever got me so out of my head, baby
I've never felt so intense and consumed by my feelings before.
We stand a chance
I believe that we have a real opportunity here.
Yeah, and I could be wrong, but you never know
I acknowledge that I could be mistaken, but I still think there's potential for us.
We could stand the chance of a real love
Our relationship could become something truly special and meaningful.
Oh, God knows I love you
I truly care for you on a deep level.
God knows I do,
My feelings for you are genuine and authentic.
Baby will you let me just prove it to you
I want to show you how much you mean to me.
Come here to me baby, come here to me now
I want you to come to me so we can be close and talk.
I want to talk to you, talk to you
We need to have an honest and open conversation about our relationship.
And tell you somehow, that
I need to find a way to express my feelings to you.
I'm so moved, I'm so changed
You've had a profound impact on me and influenced my life.
My whole world is a fountain of flame
I'm consumed by intense passion and emotion for you.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind