Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Released: December 30, 1985

Featuring: Stevie Nicks

Songwriter: Sonny Bono Jack Nitzsche

Producer: Mike W. Campbell Tom Petty

I saw her today, I saw her face
It was the face I loved and I knew
I had to run away
And get down on my knees and pray
That there'd come a day

And still it begins
Needles and pins
Because of all my pride
The tears I gotta hide

Oh, I thought I was smart, I wanted her
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
She's worse to him than me
Let her go ahead, take his love instead
And one day she will see

Just how to say please
And get down on her knees
Yeah, that's how it begins
She'll feel those needles and pins
A-hurtin her, a-hurtin her

Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong

Because I saw her today, I saw her face
It was the face I loved and I knew
I had to run away
And get down on my knees and pray
That there'd come a day

But still they begin
Needles and pins
Because of all my pride
The tears I gotta hide

Oh, needles and pins
Needles and pins
Needles and pins

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

Pack Up the Plantation: Live!

From the album

Pack Up the Plantation: Live! (1985)

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Needles and PinsTom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Pack Up the Plantation: Live!