Rebel with lots of tunes: Five great Tom Petty songs

Five of my favourite Tom Petty tunes, by Kevin Courtney.

1. 1977: American Girl

Somewhat of a lost classic, this 1977 tune’s driving beat zooms down a boulevard of broken dreams. You can imagine Arcade Fire listening to this and getting some ideas.

2. 1980: Refugee

For lost souls everywhere, this song anchors to a big, rolling riff to keep you grounded while adrift in the world.

3. 1985: Don’t Come Around Here No More

Over a lolloping beat, Petty uses his sneering voice to great effect on this anthem for spurned lovers. The video is an Alice in Wonderland pastiche, and the tune was a big hit with indie fans.

Tom Petty, me and a lonely winter’s night in Pittsburgh, 1979

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4. Into the Great Wide Open

From his 1991 album of the same name, this tune perfectly captured the dazed and confused demeanour of Generation X, “a rebel without a clue” overdosed on teen spirit.

5. 1999: Free Fallin’

One of his biggest and best tunes, Free Fallin' revisits the territory of American Girl – only this time it's filled with vampires and other predators.