Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
“Free Fallin'” is a song written and performed by Tom Petty. It was the first track on his 1989 solo debut album, Full Moon Fever. The song was produced by Jeff Lynne and Mike Campbell. It was released as a single in 1989 and became one of Petty’s most popular songs.
The song’s lyrics describe a man’s memories of his childhood in the Los Angeles suburbs and his love for a woman. The lyrics mention several landmarks in the San Fernando Valley, including the Ventura Boulevard, Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and the Hollywood Hills. The song’s chorus, “She’s a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus and America too,” has become one of the song’s most memorable lines.
“Free Fallin'” received widespread critical acclaim and has been covered by numerous artists. It was ranked number 168 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Tom Petty
Tom Petty was an American southern rock musician, guitarist, singer, composer, and songwriter. He was born on October 20, 1950 in Gainesville and died on October 2, 2017 in Santa Monica. Petty was one of the most popular rock musicians of the 1980s and his music bridged the gap between Native American folk rock and new wave. He performed with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Traveling Wilburys supergroup, and as a solo artist. In 1969 to 1975 and again in 2008 to 2017, he was also a member of the Mudcrutch formation.
The Heartbreakers, which included Petty as the lead singer, released their first album in 1976. In 1986 and 1987, Petty and his group toured with Bob Dylan and the two artists formed a friendship that led to the creation of the Traveling Wilburys folk rock supergroup. In the 1990s, Petty’s music lost popularity and he became inactive. In 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Heartbreakers. In 2006, he released his third solo album, Highway Companion, which was recorded with Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra.