Defending America's Rock Tradition: Not A Petty Thing (Hilburn)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsn7Ig8KCCM
In 1970, four average teenage boys living in Gainesville, Florida formed a band called Mudcrutch. Mudcrutch began performing in local bars and clubs in the Gainesville area. Four years later, the young men of this band begged their lead guitarist’s father to allow his son to drop out of the University of Florida. After a bit of a struggle, he finally consented. The band quickly signed with Shelter Records and relocated to Los Angeles, California. This band which would become Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers could never have predicted the events to come in their very successful future and their lives would never again be the same. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been nominated for and winners of numerous Grammy Awards, recipients of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band’s great talent, creativity, and determination has brought them their huge success.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have left an impact on the complicated music industry, their countless fans throughout the world, and a myriad of other musicians. This band captured listeners everywhere with its unique and sincere music and lyrics. They have motivated many young aspiring musical artists, and even well-established musicians. One of their greatest contributions to the world, however, has been their persistence to dispute any injustices, especially in the music industry, and their willingness to not back down on what they know is right.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers defines and embraces rock and roll music, though Tom Petty occasionally has a country sound because of his Southern roots. Their unique and original instrumental sound and emphasis on the guitar and drums, together with Tom Petty’s very distinct vocals, characterizes rock music. The whiney and almost imperfect sound of Petty’s voice, similarly to many other rock musicians, creates the flawed perfection of their rock and roll music.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers honored and followed in the footsteps of their musical idols, while at the same time creating a sound and success of their own that many musicians would later strive to attain. The brilliant musical deities of Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash have influenced the passionate music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. While they admired these great musicians, the band always managed to create their own unique lyrics and music full of passion and sincerity. The tradition of talent and success of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have influenced numerous younger artists, such as Pearl Jam, Stevie Nicks, John Mayer, and many more.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are a band with a drive and force incomparable to anyone else. This ambition, especially within the leader, Tom Petty, is a result of struggles and anger. In the recently released documentary, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down A Dream, Tom Petty discusses his troubled childhood. As expressed in the documentary, “the untold story of great rock musicians is you either lost your mother or your father hated you.” Bono from the band U2 said, “ If you were like me and you were lucky enough to have both, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.” Tom Petty was another one who had this same situation. Petty’s mother, who he adored dearly, died early in his blossoming career. His father verbally and physically abused him from an early age because Petty was interested in music and art. When Petty became successful, his father relished in his son’s success and enjoyed the title of “Tom Petty’s Father.” Tom Petty turns the anger that he experiences within him into the ambition that has brought himself and his band their achievements.

As Admiral David Farragut declared at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War, “Damn the torpedoes!,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also adopted this “full speed ahead” mentality in 1979 when MCA Records acquired Shelter Records without the band’s consent. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers then realized that, out of naiveté and inexperience in the music business, they had signed a contract giving up their publishing rights to the record company. The record companies told them that they were in no financial position to fight a lawsuit, but the unwavering Petty was only angered more and filed the lawsuit, as well as, for bankruptcy and rendered all previous contracts null and void, a first for anyone in the music business. Finally, MCA Records settled and gave the band their own label under Backstreet Records, let them set their own deal, and gave them the right to their songs. Through this whole process, Tom Petty’s persistence was constantly evident. Even faced by a powerful attorneys, Petty quoted, “ I will sell !@#$%^& peanuts before I give into you. I refuse to give into you. You can break me, but you can’t sell records.”

Through the months of legal battles, the band continued to work on their record. “Damn the Torpedoes” became their artistically greatest work and achieved Platinum status within four months. Petty transformed the anger from his past into the drive that he and his band needed to earn their well-deserved success.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers convey a message throughout all of their songs similar to that of “I Won’t Back Down.” Though there is unmistakable pain in his life, Tom Petty writes very artistic and romantic songs. He ultimately communicates through his music the often sad realities of life: the joys and the disappointments, the triumphs and the battles; and he communicates his determination to overcome the unfortunate aspects of life.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s ambition and determination is clearly defined in their song “I Won’t Back Down.” The title and the first line undoubtedly states his motive. Petty expresses his assertion that whatever the situation and the fear he may have, he will thrust it aside and persevere, “You could stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won’t back down.” Petty, as he proved throughout his life, again confirms that he will fight against the injustices that are evident in this vindictive world, “Well I know what’s right, I got just one life in a world that keeps on pushin’ me around…” Petty plainly explains that there are no simple alternatives to reaching a solution and you just have to face the difficulties, “Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out…”

“I Won’t Back Down”

Well I won’t back down, no I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down

Gonna stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down

Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down.

Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down

Hey baby there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down

Hypnopaedia

"One can make a difference." Today, with the growing problems in the world from the energy crisis to poverty and natural disasters, a great number people have developed the mentality that their efforts to make the world a better place are futile. The idea that one man cannot create a change is evident. The world must leave this thought behind and take action. Each person must come to a realization that even though their voice is small, they have the strength to bring about change. There are always people in the world who think like you. So, we must find those people by speaking out about what we believe in, and, together, we can make a difference. Just by letting our small voice be heard, we can join together with others who want to make the world a better place.