Released: May 2, 1978

Songwriter: Tom Petty

Producer: Denny Cordell Noah Shark Tom Petty

This might sound strange, might seem dumb
Depends on the side that you take it in from
Depends on the time, depends on the day
Depends on a lot of things, who can say

I just want to let you know that I will stand by you
Through whatever might come, wherever you run
Will you stand by me when the time comes?

Baby do you understand? Am I making this clear?
Are you tuning me out 'cause I'm coming off weird?
Well I don't care, that's all right
That's okay, I don't mind

I just want to let you know that I will stand by you
Through whatever might come, wherever you run
Will you stand by me when the time comes?

This ain't the right time to say what's on my mind
I know, but I look in your eyes
And there is no real life at all
Baby, hold on

And someday soon you'll come around
You'll know where I can be found
When your heart feels right, seek me out
We can talk more then babe, but right now

I just want to let you know that I will stand by you
Through whatever might come, wherever you run
Will you stand by me when the time comes?

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.