I didn't know which way to go / I'm a new world boy on the old Kings Road - “Kings Road” by Tom Petty
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On Tuesday morning, I received a text from my son, “Thankful I got to see Tom Petty.”
Thinking he was referring to the Las Vegas Massacre I responded, “These are tough times. Pray for Vegas folks. How u doing?”
Later that day I found out Petty had passed.
This past May, my son, a college senior, traveled 600 miles to Memphis, TN for a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers concert (yes, he bought me a tour T-Shirt for Father’s Day!).
There is symmetry here. In May of my senior year, Petty released his Hard Promises album.
“Kings Road” is the last song on side one and the song is on my Top 100 playlist. Nominally a song about Petty’s visit to Chelsea, west of London. It is really a song about coming of age.
The timing of the release was whimsical,
I'm a new world boy on the old Kings Road
Became, for me:
I’m a new college graduate in the old Real World
A rocker that avoided being a rock star, Petty’s passing is tough for fans. A co-worker kept repeating, “It’s so sad…”
Matthew Hennessey, writing in the Wall Street Journal, noted, “The voice was unmistakable.” He is right, Petty’s voice ranges from high-pitched growl to a wail with a touch of sneer. Mixing that voice with the Heartbreakers' jangling guitars and driving backbeat is truly moving (physically and emotionally).
Unfortunately, we lose musicians and fortunately we keep their music within us. Petty’s music is a respite for tough times (Vegas, Harvey, Irma, Maria).
It is also music that has bridged two generations (so far) of college seniors.
Thanks Tom.
How about you - do you have a favorite Tom Petty song? What music moves you? Share a story!
