Catching a 35 year old Fever

by Jami Morain

    On April 24, 1989, an album released that would change Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' lives forever. To this day, people catch Full Moon Fever.

    Tom Petty has been a common household name for decades now. The band was slow to fame in America with their debut album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but they eventually secured themselves as legends with their third album, Damn The Torpedoes. This 1979 album can't be remembered without also recalling the infamous lawsuit battle the Heartbreakers fought. Petty's win is a legendary story that only makes the album better.

    The Heartbreakers continued to have successful albums and another lawsuit along the way. However, Petty noticed the concerts weren't selling out anymore, people were losing interest. He had to do something if he wanted to stay relevant. During a Heartbreakers' intermission, he met Jeff Lynne at a stop light in L.A. and asked if they could work together sometime. Full Moon Fever was born. 

My Full Moon Fever album. I adore this picture of him.

    Today marks 35 years of Petty's first solo album, an album that not only made people question if he was leaving the Heartbreakers behind, but also spread like wildfire, becoming, and remaining, Petty's most successful album of his career. 

    Although the Heartbreakers were angry with Petty, they eventually moved on, and their success never dwindled again. 

    The album starts off incredibly strong with "Free Fallin'," a song Petty started writing as a joke to Lynne. Its about all the "characters" Petty watched as he drove to the studio on Ventura Boulevard. 

    "I Won't Back Down" was a great follow-up as Petty sang about his resilience and desire to never give up. Making it even better, Lynne and George Harrison contributed the soft background vocals. Anyone who has watched the music video knows Ringo Starr also joined in on the fun, however, just for the video.

    "Love Is a Long Road" might be seen as a rocking love song, but I think it's focusing on a past relationship and how hard it was because he writes about feeling desperate and his head spinning. I love Benmont Tench's presence on this song when they perform live. Tench is the only keyboardist that ever stands out to me when he plays, he also usually kills it on the harmonies.

    "Face in the Crowd" seems to be an awkward follow up considering how much of a heartfelt love song it is. This girl, who was just a face in the crowd, comes into his heart and life. It's one of my favorite songs on the album because it's so soft and loving. Definitely a standout for me. 

    "Runnin' Down a Dream" is the fifth track on the album and is one of Petty's most iconic songs due to Mike Campbell's distinctive killer riff. One of my favorite parts is when he's talking about driving with the radio up singing "Runaway" with Del. The Del he's referring to is his friend and musician Del Shannon and "Runaway" is one of his songs. This track is great for a road-trip or maybe working out. I find it to be inspiring and hopeful. 

    Full Moon Fever is a 12 track album, and I only covered five, but I thoroughly recommend it. The only song I don't like is "Zombie Zoo" which Petty has since said he regrets putting on the album because he thinks the album would have been "perfect" with a different song. I think the hidden gem of the album is "Yer So Bad," which might just be my favorite Petty song. I like it because of how he sings "but not me baby, I've got you to save me."

     I learned about Tom Petty from Sam Elliot playing Ben the cow on Barnyard as he sang "I Won't Back Down" while saving the chickens from the coyotes. As I grew up I could never go to a mall or have the radio on without hearing "Free Fallin'." He is one of my favorite musicians because he's so passionate, tells amazing stories, and always stands up for what's right. Celebrate a legend today by listening to this career-defining album.

Wearing my favorite Tom Petty shirt.