I don’t like Tom Petty (hope I don’t get fired)
“Tom Petty is the greatest singer, guitar player and song writer in the history of this Universe or any other, and he forever will be. Just listen to the delicate, yet complex integration of chord progressions and lyrical mastery in songs like ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More,’ ‘Into The Great Wide Open’ and ‘You Don’t Know How It Feels.’ It’s like seeing two people fall in love to the sounds of a symphony only they can hear.”
That’s what someone told me once when I said I didn’t like Tom Petty.
Okay, I lied. That’s not what they said.
But they did call me a jerk.
That’s not the only time, either. I’ve lost friends, nearly family, because I don’t like his music…his music.
I didn’t say I didn’t like him. He’s probably a great guy and fun to be around. I just think his songs are too simple for my taste and that a lot of them sound too much alike.
“Then you’re are an idiot!” – I can already hear you saying it.
It’s okay, let it out.
“You don’t know crap about music!” “You’re tone deaf!” “You’re ugly!”
Keep them coming. I know I’m evil. I change the station when I here “Free Fallin” or “You don’t have to live like a refugee” – how dare I! It’s okay. I’ve learned to accept who I am.
And if I’m in a situation where I’m unable to change the station or the stereo, I start singing (I can sound just like Tom Petty) really loud, only I change the words to make the song’s lyrics really awful.
For example: “Free Fallin” becomes “Free Ballin.” You can only imagine how it goes.
That one’s made people cry.
Now Tom Petty is the performer during half-time of Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix. Can’t say I’m as thrilled as everyone else.
I believe my direct quote was, “I’d rather watch Steven Tyler and Justin Timberlake sing ‘Walk this Way’ and toss microphones back and forth to each other in hell before I’ll watch this year’s half-time show.”
But it’s clear I’m alone on this one. In fact, I’m not going to say that everyone else in the world claims to be Tom Petty’s biggest fan, but I’m not going to say they don’t, either.
That said; if I’m the only jerk on the planet that won’t defend the greatness of “Last Dance with Mary Jane” to the death, than even I have to admit Tom Petty must be doing something right.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Michael McGuire is no longer with The Evening Sun as of 3 p.m., Jan. 25. I cannot, and will not, work with someone who does not recognize the brilliance of Tom Petty.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Right on JMG……………..Tom Petty rules and Michael McGuire drools !!!!
January 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
What does he have against Steven Tyler? Though of course he wrote it to be inflammatory, the writer is obviously a fool…in many ways.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Shame. Shame, Shame on you! I hope you do get fired!
P.S. I got a promotion and a raise today and my boss LOVES Tom Petty!.
January 26th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Tom Petty is the best singer / songwriter ever, Mr. M!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Mike I agree ! Tom Petty is not on my list at all.
JMG- give the man a promotion AND a raise
Oh ya ya oh my yes I wanna see mikey in a party dress…
January 27th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Mike McGuire should be kidnapped, duct taped, and forced to sit listen to Tom Petty CD’s all the way to a concert. Only then will he learn to appreciate one of the best rockers in the world!
January 27th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
JMG - Don’t fire Mike. Fire me instead.
P.S. Who’s Tom Petty?
January 28th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Mike,
I’m in agreement with you in regards to Tom Petty, but I will also state he is a step above the typical half time entertainment. Seriously, how many “real” football fans have Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, or Prince in their CD rotation? The latest fade seems to be to take the old acts and have them perform. Aerosmith, the Stones, and McCartney fall in this catagory. Petty as well. Myself, I’m old school. let me see a college marching band perform. I wish another station would wise up and due what Fox did years ago with “In Living Color” and have a live half time show themselves.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
At least we shouldn’t have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction, so cut Mike so slack and let him voice his opinion, I dont care either way who the half time entertainment is I’m watching the game and do other stuff during halftime
January 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
by the way, Mike, can you please post your lyrics to Free Ballin?
January 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Maybe Tom Petterrific will be wearing a tear-away shirt, i.e. Janet Jackson style. Meanwhile, halftime will give me more than sufficient time to get some fresh snacks & drinks
January 30th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Clearly the writer has only heard Petty from the radio and has never heard some of his best works which don’t get air time. Probably doesn’t like Fogerty-Seger-Springsteen-Young-Dylan, etc… either. Wish more people were like this so it wouldn’t be so hard to acquire tickets when they go on tour.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Mike -
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, no matter how misguided it is.
I’ll grant you that a lot of hits revolve around a common theme - companionship. Tom Petty’s songs are our common aches put to melody. But I can’t say that a guy that has tried several subgenres of rock and even dabbled in some New Wave “sounds the same” on every song.
We put on Petty a lot because he’s enjoyed by all my friends. Every time we listen, I find a new element I really enjoy: the urgency of “American Girl,” the outrage in “Refugee” or the drive of “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
Do me a favor. Borrow an album from someone. Listen to Petty admit - in a snarl - that yeah, he “might have chased a couple of women around. All it got me was down.” Then try to admit it doesn’t resonate with you.
And for heaven’s sake, stop judging him by “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” a song sadly dated, or by “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
“You Wreck Me” is where it is at, son.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Jeff
It pains me to hear that you fired Mr. McGuire. After all we all have different tastes on music. I like show tunes and Native American chants. So please show some compassion and hire him back.
PS. If he starts bashing his acting skills in the greatest movie of all time “The Postman”, by all means, not only fire him, make him disapear forever!
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 am
I’m assuming that Mr. McGuire’s reference to disliking Tom Petty is due to, our beloved Super Bowl half time exstravaganza? If it is… I’m with ya buddy(tongue and cheek). This could only mean one thing you’d cast your vote for the ol’ wardrobe malfunction for half time festivities?
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I don’t have a preference one way or the other as to how “brilliant” tom petty is. However, is today’s music so terrible that we bring back 60s, 70s, and 80s “classics” to play the half time show 20-40 years later? I must admit, the Stones were a great act to see a few years ago, and they are truely great bands…but i do like when they team up with some of today’s music icons (if there are any left)
February 4th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Prediction… Super Bowl XLIII half-time show, Led Zeppelin. By the way Mike, I think what G-dog means is you’re a tone-deaf - misguided - anti-American - scum bag!
That’s true; Tom Petty’s songs are all the same. I guess the only problem is who else could the NFL have asked? I’m sure Clay Aiken was available (thus my earlier prediction). Oh yeah, and who’s Fogerty-Seger-Springsteen-Young-Dylan? Sounds like something I’d listen to if I was having trouble falling asleep.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
This weekend I thought i saw a guitar playing wookie, then realized it was Tom Petty’s halftime show…
February 4th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hey, I watched the half time show and when I had heard that it was Tom Petty, lets just say it lived up to my expectations! It Stunk!! I thought that it was supposed to be exciting. What a disappointment. I can tolerate Tom Petty but after 2 songs my ears bleed so hey, I’m with you and I hope I get fired:)
February 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Ps, My husband was glad that there wasn’t a wardrobe malfunction. I don’t think that my eyes could take it, I’m sure after all the blood loss from my ears and eyes I would need a transfusion.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:02 am
after last night’s performance, i do believe that the pyrotechnics and the lighting were more exciting than the singing.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Tom Petty has been a class act in the rock world for a long time and has played alongside of some of rock’s greatest, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and I have seen him open for Aerosmith once in 197?. and ya better ask for your day job back Mike because we’ve never even seen you open for anyone, letalone top the Billboard chart over and over.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
YOU’RE JAMMIN’ ME!!!!!!!!