Tom Petty Songs Ranked

Thomas Earl Petty was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. He was the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formed in 1976. Petty recorded a number of hit singles with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist. In his career, he sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Here are Tom Petty’s best songs ranked.

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20. Rebels (Southern Accents, 1985)

” love “Rebels.” Literally nothing on this song is able to be considered bad in the slightest way. From the guitar to bass to drums to the sax that comes in and Petty’s quintessentially Southern lyrics. I think “Honey Don’t walk out, I’m too drunk to follow…” and so on is an amazing opening verse. That chorus is also amazing “Hey hey hey (Hey hey hey) I was born a rebel..” “Rebels is both an amazing tribute to the South, and a song that makes it an epic addition to Tom Petty’s repertoire as a whole.”

19. Change of Heart (Long After Dark, 1982)

“Best. Petty song. Ever. So underplayed, so underrated. Classic Tom Petty sound, his unique whiny phrasing, and bittersweet lyrics. If you don’t like this song, there’s something wrong with you.”

18. Even the Losers (Damn the Torpedoes, 1980)

“Listen to it once for the musicality; a second time for the lyric; a third time for the “Wow, this is my life’s anthem! ” epiphany to hit you.”

17. Here Comes My Girl (Damn the Torpedoes, 1979)

“A love song that is unapologetically from a man’s perspective. In a life filled with struggle, all he needs is her with him to carry on. Plus, he likes her “walk” and wants others to know she belongs to him. Beautiful in it’s simplicity. Musically dynamic, vocally expressive, and great to sing along to as well. This, my friends, is a great song!”

See more: Tom Petty Albums Ranked

16. Listen to Her Heart (You’re Gonna Get It!, 1978)

“You’re Gonna Get It! is not exactly Petty’s magnum opus, however, no song on this record even compares to the legacy of “Listen To Her Heart,” except for maybe the exuberant rocker “I Need To Know.””

15. I Need to Know (You’re Gonna Get It!, 1978)

“This song was actually inspired by Wilson Pickett’s “Land of a thousand dances”. “It’s almost the same riff but with a different beat” – Tom Petty. The song is about alienation and was written during a time where Tom’s thoughts were “very blunt, [with] just little bursts of adrenalin”.”

14. Don’t Do Me Like That (Damn the Torpedoes, 1979)

“Love Tom Petty. I don’t really think his songs need reviews. If you don’t like Tom Petty, than why did you search his name and look at his songs. Because you secretly like him. Need I say more?”

13. You Got Lucky (Long After Dark, 1982)

“This is exactly the type of song I expected from Tom Petty. A very unique style but, one that I really like. This song is best noted for being one of the most bitter love songs ever conceived, and because Petty manages to pronounce the word “good” with at least 3, and sometimes 5 syllables.”

12. Into the Great Wide Open (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1991)

“The only Tom Petty song that truly approaches something beyond standard classic rock fare. Definitely deserves to be far higher up on the list. Has got to be the most underrated Tom Petty song. Chorus is amazing and reminds me of the free wilderness.”

11. Breakdown (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1976)

“Ever since I got the greatest hits album, I have been in love with all the songs on it. But since you can only choose 1, Breakdown is a classic. This song is the definition of cool, smooth, soft rock at its best! And Tom’s vocals are awesome in this!”

10. Don’t Come Around Here No More (Southern Accents, 1985)

“This song is so awesome. Also, has anyone seen the music video? It’s an Alice in Wonderland thing where Alice turns into a big cake that everybody eats at the end. Talk about a way to make a song memorable.”

9. The Waiting (Hard Promises, 1981)

“My favorite Petty song… the riff, lyrics, solo, and chorus should put this at about #6… at least. This deserves the top spot, it’s been covered by so many great musicians, check out the one with Eddie Vedder, even Tom Petty was impressed.”

8. You Don’t Know How It Feels (Wildflowers, 1994)

“It actually sounds here as if Tom has already rolled another joint and got to his point so laid back is this number from “Wildflowers”. Created from the most basic of set-ups, strumming guitar, wailing harmonica and a big beat, over which Tom intones his laconic lyric, it’s a living example of less is more.”

7. Refugee (Damn the Torpedoes, 1979)

“I’m listening to a drum cover of this song right now… Love love love it! The reason behind this is that I had a strange dream my friend was playing this song. I was amazed… Love this song a lot. Beautiful. Anyone that doesn’t vote for this is a refugee! Whatever that means.”

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6. Learning to Fly (Remembering Del Shannon, 2014)

“This is Tom Petty’s best masterpiece, Just the words and music wanna make you sing with him. This is classic Tom Petty, “So I’ve started out, from god knows where. I guess I’ll know, when I get there. I’m learning to fly, around the clouds, but what goes up must come down.”

5. American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1976)

“Great lyrics, a beautiful bass line, a driving rhythm, swirling lead guitar and tom’s vocals makes this one of america’s greatest treasures.”

4. I Won’t Back Down (Full Moon Fever, 1989)

“Most encouraging song of his and I’m listening to it right now in this world that keeps pushing me around I’m gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down”

3. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Greatest Hits, 1993)

“This song is simply the best song by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The harmonica, the Bob Dylan-esque vocals, the lyrics (which possibly has two meanings), and the guitar just sound amazing.”

2. Runnin’ Down a Dream (Full Moon Fever, 1989)

“Every time I hear this song I have to tap my feet to the drumbeat and of course play air guitar! I like a lot of Tom Petty but this is a fave. The class tune, keeps you captivated all the war through. Never get bored of it!”

1. Free Fallin’ (Full Moon Fever, 1989)

“Great song! Definitely one of the most recognized songs of the 80’s. Love how Petty who is known for his deeper vocals to just say screw that and belt it out for the chorus. Acoustic guitar is also a plus”