Released: November 2, 1982

Songwriter: Tom Petty

Producer: Jimmy Iovine Tom Petty

There was a little girl, I used to know her
I still think about her time to time
There was a moment when I really loved her
Then one day the feeling just died

We went straight into darkness
Out over the line
Yeah straight into darkness
Straight into night

I remember flying out to London
I remember the feeling at the time
Out the window of the 747
Man, there was nothing, only black sky

We went straight into darkness
Out over the line
Yeah straight into darkness
Straight into night

Oh give it up to me, I need it
Girl, I know a good thing when I see it
Baby, wrong or right, I mean it

I don't believe the good times are over
I don't believe the thrill is all gone
Real love is a man's salvation
The weak ones fall, the strong carry on

Straight into darkness
Out over the line
Yeah straight into darkness
Straight into night

We went straight into darkness
Out over the line
We went straight into darkness
Straight into night

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

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

Playback (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)