Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Songwriter: Chris Hillman Roger McGuinn

Producer: Mike W. Campbell Tom Petty

And so you want to be a rock 'n' roll star?
Oh listen now do what I say
And just get an electric guitar
Then take some time and learn how to play

And with your hair swung right
And your pants get tight, it's gonna be alright

Well then it's time to go down town
To the agent man, won't let you down
And so you sell to some company
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware

And in a week or two if you make the charts
The girls will tear you apart

It's the price you paid for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game? You're a little insane
The money, they gave and the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are, you're a rock 'n' roll star

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – an L.A.-based gang of sharp-dressed garage-rock refugees from Gainsville, Florida – released their debut LP in November 1976, featuring two tracks which are now part of their long list of hits, “Breakdown” and “American Girl.”

Since that first LP in ‘76, the band’s style has epitomized and largely defined the American “heartland rock” movement – a vintage-guitar twang, hard lyric truth, and searing vocal attitude.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been nominated for 17 Grammy awards and sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all-time.

more tracks from the album

Anthology Through The Years

From the albums

Pack Up the Plantation: Live! (1985)
Playback (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) (1995)
Anthology Through The Years (2000)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers popular songs

So You Want to Be a Rock ‘N’ Roll StarTom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Anthology Through The Years