Tom Petty released a total of 14 studio albums in his solo career and with his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. These albums span from 1976 with their debut release to 2017’s final album, “Hypnotic Eye.”
Tom Petty’s discography, both as a solo artist and with the Heartbreakers, is a comprehensive and impressive body of work that includes timeless hits like “Free Fallin’,” “Refugee,” and “American Girl.”
Additionally, Petty’s work with other bands, artists, and unreleased material, often found in rarities collections or box set reissues of his albums, offers as hidden gems for fans and music enthusiasts alike.
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Tom Petty Album Discography
Tom Petty’s album discography is extensive and spans several decades, producing numerous hits and timeless favorites. Here is a chronological list of his albums, solo and with the Heartbreakers, along with their release years and some notable songs from each:
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) – The debut album, featuring iconic tracks like “Breakdown” and “American Girl.”
- You’re Gonna Get It! (1978) – The band’s second album, including songs like “Listen to Her Heart” and “I Need to Know.”
- Damn the Torpedoes (1979) – A major commercial breakthrough with hits such as “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” and “Don’t Do Me Like That.”
- Hard Promises (1981) – This album brought forth songs like “The Waiting” and “A Woman in Love (It’s Not Me).”
- Long After Dark (1982) – Known for tracks like “You Got Lucky” and “Change of Heart.”
- Southern Accents (1985) – A stylistic departure with songs like “Don’t Come Around Here No More” and “Rebels.”
- Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) (1987) – This record featured tracks such as “Jammin’ Me” and “Runaway Trains.”
- Full Moon Fever (1989) – A successful solo album with hits like “Free Fallin’,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
- Into the Great Wide Open (1991) – Included popular songs like “Learning to Fly” and the title track, “Into the Great Wide Open.”
- Wildflowers (1994) – Another successful solo effort with tracks like “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “It’s Good To Be King.”
- Echo (1999) – Notable songs from this album include “Room at the Top” and “Swingin’.”
- The Last DJ (2002) – Featuring popular tracks like the title song, “The Last DJ” and “Have Love, Will Travel.”
- Mojo (2010) – The band’s return to blues-rock, with tracks like “I Should Have Known It” and “Good Enough.”
- Hypnotic Eye (2014) – Tom Petty’s final studio album, including songs such as “American Dream Plan B” and “U Get Me High.”
Tom Petty’s Work with Other Bands
Tom Petty’s influence in the music world expanded beyond his work with the Heartbreakers, as he also collaborated with notable bands like the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch.
The Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup formed in the late 1980s, featuring music legends George Harrison of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty himself, along with renowned musician and producer Jeff Lynne. They released two albums:
- Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988) – Their debut album consisted of major songs such as “Handle with Care,” “End of the Line,” and “Last Night.”
- Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (1990) – Despite its title, this was the group’s second and final album, which included tracks like “She’s My Baby” and “Inside Out.”
Mudcrutch, on the other hand, was Petty’s original band formed in the early 1970s before the establishment of the Heartbreakers. In the mid-2000s, Petty reunited Mudcrutch, which led to the release of two albums:
- Mudcrutch (2008) – The band’s self-titled debut featuring songs like “Scare Easy” and “Lover of the Bayou.”
- 2 (2016) – Their second album contained tracks such as “Trailer” and “I Forgive It All.”
Both the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch highlight Tom Petty’s ability to collaborate with an array of artists, further enhancing his contribution to the music world.
Essential Tom Petty Songs and Unreleased Material
Tom Petty’s career was marked by numerous essential songs that not only defined his unique sound but also became popular anthems for multiple generations. Some of his most iconic tracks include:
- “American Girl”
- “Free Fallin'”
- “Refugee”
- “I Won’t Back Down”
- “Learning to Fly”
- “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”
- “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
- “Runnin’ Down a Dream”
- “Into the Great Wide Open”
In addition to these classic hits, Tom Petty’s unreleased material and rarities provide a fascinating insight into his creative process and offer unique musical experiences for dedicated fans. These can often be found in deluxe edition reissues of his albums or released as posthumous collections.
For instance, the “An American Treasure” box set, released in 2018, includes previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions, and rare live recordings. Another posthumous album is “The Best of Everything,” released in 2019, contains Tom Petty’s greatest hits in his solo career, contributions with the Heartbreakers, and Mudcrutch.
Conclusion
Tom Petty’s extraordinary career spanned over four decades and left a lasting impact on the music world. From his work with the Heartbreakers to his collaborations with the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch, Petty’s music transcended generational boundaries and made him a defining figure in rock history.
As we revisit and celebrate the unique musical legacy that Tom Petty left behind, his loved tracks and spirit will live on, inspiring people and being remembered as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Tom Petty Featured Image by: Davidwbaker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
