You’ve heard at least one Tom Petty song in your lifetime. Whether you heard it out in public or you heard it while in the backseat of your dad’s car, the bottom line is that at least one Tom Petty song has been a part of the soundtrack of your life.
I can say that Tom Petty’s Wildflowers is the soundtrack to my life.
Speaking of that album, Wildflowers & All The Rest was finally released today. Nearly 26 years ago, the iconic fifteen-track Tom Petty record, Wildflowers, was released. In fact, it was originally set to be a double album with 25 tracks in total, but with the advice from the record label, it was cut down to one album with 15 tracks. In June of this year, it was announced that the long awaited Wildflowers & All The Rest box set was finally going to be released.
Starting on track 16, we get to the additional songs that were meant to be on the double-album, starting off with Something Could Happen and ending with Hung Up and Overdue, plus the home recordings.
First and foremost, it’s very clear to see that these outtakes truly have that beautiful and magical touch that the original Wildflowers cut has, which is what makes Tom’s songwriting as special and unique. Each song tells a story that people around the world could resonate with.
One song in particular, Leave Virginia Alone, was made very popular by Rod Stewart’s version, but when you listen to Tom sing it, you can tell that the song really does belong to him and that it is way better than Rod Stewart’s version. It’s only a fact.
While each song is truly beautiful, the songs that stood out to me the most were Something Could Happen, Climb That Hill Blues, Confusion Wheel, and Harry Green. There was something about those four songs that definitely added a deeper meaning to Wildflowers and made the album especially beautiful. They add to the legacy of the album itself.
Next, we get to the home recordings, which starts with a previously unheard track titled There Goes Angela (Dream Away). When you go further down that section and delve into more and more of the home recordings, you really start to truly fall in love with this set a little bit more than before. The home recordings of each song, including one true Wildflowers classic, You Don’t Know How It Feels, are nothing short of amazing.
Overall, this album is a gem and the ultimate tribute to Tom Petty. It really defines the kind of songwriter and storyteller he was. It’s been shown again and again that his legacy will forever live on, and this box set really proves that in every way. Tom himself would be very proud.
In the 26 years since its first release, Wildflowers still connects with people to this very day, even with people of the new generation. It’s easy to see why people still manage to connect with it - it’s relatable. These additional songs are just as easy to connect with as the songs on the original cut of the album.
Thank you, Tom, for everything you have ever given us. Your music and your songwriting is a treasure through and through. As the saying goes,
“You belong somewhere you feel free.”