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On Tom Petty

 Tom Petty became a solo act in the 1980s, and his ensuing hit, "Free Fallin," seems to be part of the National Anthem; it just seems to be a thing that has always existed.


She's a good girl -- loves her mama.
Loves Jesus and America, too. 
She's a good girl -- who's crazy about Elvis.
Loves horses -- and her boyfriend, too.

Who is the speaker? Who is the young woman? "She's a good girl" -- This seems to be a sincere statement, but is it also a way of sneering (just a little bit)?

And it's a long day livin' in Reseda.
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard.
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy, for breakin' her heart.

The speaker -- seduced by "the freeway" -- has severed ties with his Jesus-loving girlfriend. He is sad to admit that he is a "bad boy" -- but maybe he is excited, too. 

Now all the vampires walkin' through the Valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard. 
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows -- 
And the good girls are home with broken hearts...

The speaker links himself with hungry "vampires"; he has an appetite, he is considering possible cimes ("standing in the shadows...")

This is strange and disturbing writing. It's detailed and self-knowing; Tom Petty is playing a character, and the character seems recognizable. You feel you've met him in your own life. Also, the words are understated; less is more.

All you need for any story is a He and a She -- and here is Tom Petty, with his Exhibit A.
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Comments

  1. MarcOctober 11, 2022 at 4:25 AM

    You never know what's coming in Liars & Saints! TayTay to Tom Petty and back again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ReaderOctober 11, 2022 at 10:28 AM

      I think Tom's song is about ambivalence -- which is (also) a classic Taylor theme.

      Delete

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