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Hard Promises
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| Hard Promises | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 5, 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1980–81 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:33 | |||
| Label | Backstreet | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Hard Promises | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Blender |  [4] |
| Chicago Tribune | [5] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B[6] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [7] |
| The Essential Rock Discography | 6/10[8] |
| MusicHound Rock | [9] |
| Music Story | [citation needed] |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable)[10] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [11] |
Hard Promises is the fourth studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released on May 5, 1981, on Backstreet Records.
History
[edit]Its working title was Benmont's Revenge, referring to keyboard player Benmont Tench.[12] The album features guest vocals from Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac on the duet "Insider". The Heartbreakers also recorded the hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" for Nicks' album Bella Donna around the time Hard Promises was recorded.
This was the second Tom Petty album on the Backstreet Records label. The album's release was delayed while Petty and his distributor MCA Records argued about the list price. The album was slated to be the next MCA release with the new list price of $9.98, following Steely Dan's Gaucho and the Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra Xanadu soundtrack. This so-called "superstar pricing" was $1.00 more than the usual list price of $8.98.[13] Petty voiced his objections to the price hike in the press and the issue became a popular cause among music fans. Non-delivery of the album or naming it Eight Ninety-Eight were considered, but eventually MCA decided against the price increase.[14] The final title comes from a line in the chorus of "Insider."
Hard Promises is the last full album to feature the original Heartbreakers lineup, as bassist Ron Blair left after the album's release. He returned on Mojo, and he would make guest appearances on Long After Dark and Southern Accents and, after rejoining the band in 2002, played on select tracks on The Last DJ. He was replaced by Howie Epstein, who continued to play until his removal in 2002 due to deteriorating health.
In 2000 it was voted number 968 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.[15]
John Lennon tribute
[edit]
During the recording of the album, John Lennon was scheduled to be in the same studio at the same time. Petty was looking forward to meeting him when he came in. The meeting never occurred, as Lennon was murdered before the date of his planned visit to the studio. Petty and the band paid tribute to the slain former Beatle by etching "WE LOVE YOU J.L." in the runout deadwax on early U.S. and Canadian pressings of Hard Promises.[16]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Tom Petty, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Waiting" | 3:58 | |
| 2. | "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)" |
| 4:22 |
| 3. | "Nightwatchman" |
| 3:59 |
| 4. | "Something Big" | 4:44 | |
| 5. | "Kings Road" | 3:27 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Letting You Go" | 3:24 | |
| 7. | "A Thing About You" | 3:33 | |
| 8. | "Insider" | 4:23 | |
| 9. | "The Criminal Kind" | 4:00 | |
| 10. | "You Can Still Change Your Mind" |
| 4:15 |
| Total length: | 39:33 | ||
Personnel
[edit]Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
- Tom Petty – lead and backing vocals, guitar (acoustic; 12 and 6-string electric), bass and electric piano on "Something Big"
- Mike Campbell – guitars (acoustic, electric, 12-string), bass, auto-harp, accordion, harmonium
- Benmont Tench – organ, piano, backing vocals
- Ron Blair – bass guitar
- Stan Lynch – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Stevie Nicks – backing vocals on "Insider" and "You Can Still Change Your Mind"
- Lori Nicks – backing vocals on "Insider"
- Sharon Celani – backing vocals on "You Can Still Change Your Mind"
- Donald "Duck" Dunn – bass guitar on "A Woman in Love"
- Phil Jones – percussion
- Alan "Bugs" Weidel – piano on "Nightwatchman"
Production
- Brad Gilderman – assistant engineer
- Jimmy Iovine – producer
- Tom Petty – producer
- Tori Swenson – assistant engineer
- Shelly Yakus – engineer
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[25] | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[26] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[27] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Bryan, Jon (February 20, 2015). "Not Forgotten: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Hard Promises". Backseat Mafia. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ Wawzenek, Bryan (March 18, 2016). "Tom Petty Albums Ranked Worst to Best". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ "Tom Petty: Hard Promises". Blender. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ Kot, Greg (September 1, 1991). "Through The Years With Tom Petty". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: tom petty and the heartbreakers". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2005. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 816. ISBN 978-1-84195-827-9.
- ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 870. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
- ^ "Hard Promises". rollingstone.com. July 23, 1981.
- ^ "Tom Petty: Album Guide - Rolling Stone Music". Rolling Stone. July 14, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011.
- ^ Goldstein, Patrick. "Pop Eye" Los Angeles Times Sept. 21, 1980: T80.
- ^ Goldstein, Patrick. "Petty Battling MCA Over Record Price Hike" Los Angeles Times February 1, 1981: N72.
- ^ Marsh, Dave. "Tom Petty" Musician July 1981: 43.
- ^ Colin Larkin (2000). All Time Top 1000 Albums (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 292. ISBN 0-7535-0493-6.
- ^ Conversations with Tom Petty by Paul Zollo
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 35, No. 4" (PHP). RPM. July 4, 1981. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "charts.nz — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hard Promises". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "swedishcharts.com Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hard Promises" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Artist: Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Allmusic: Hard Promises : Charts & Awards : Billboard Albums". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1981". RPM. December 26, 1981. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1981 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Vol. 94, No. 23: Majors Flight Economics with Quirky Rock Originals". Billboard. December 6, 1982. p. A-NZ 8. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Tom Petty – Hard Promises". Music Canada.
- ^ "American album certifications – Tom Petty – Hard Promises". Recording Industry Association of America.
Hard Promises
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Background
Label dispute
In late 1980, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers faced a contractual standoff with their label, MCA Records, over the proposed pricing for their fourth studio album. MCA intended to introduce "superstar pricing" by raising the list price from the industry standard of $8.98 to $9.98, citing the band's rising popularity following the success of Damn the Torpedoes. Petty vehemently opposed the increase, viewing it as an unfair burden on fans, and refused to hand over the master tapes until the label relented, an action later dubbed the "$9.98 revolt."[5][6] The dispute escalated as Petty publicly criticized MCA for breaking an earlier agreement to price the album at $8.98, emphasizing the impact on younger listeners. In a New York Times interview, he stated, "My beef with MCA was that they originally told us 'Hard Promises' would be $8.98 and then changed their minds," and warned that without resistance, "it's going to be a dollar more from the kids next year." This stance positioned Petty as a champion for affordable music access, highlighting tensions over artist control and label profiteering in an era of inflating record costs.[7] The conflict, which delayed the album's release by approximately one month, was resolved in early 1981 when MCA agreed to the original $8.98 price point. The album's title, Hard Promises, served as a pointed nod to the label's unkept commitments on pricing and creative autonomy, while also evoking the broader challenges of delivering on artistic vows amid industry pressures. Released on May 5, 1981, the standoff not only preserved affordability for consumers but also reinforced Petty's reputation for advocating against exploitative practices in the music business.[7][8]Dedication to John Lennon
Hard Promises serves as a posthumous tribute to John Lennon, who was assassinated on December 8, 1980, midway through the album's recording process but prior to its final mixing stages.[9] The band was actively in the studio that day, laying down tracks including "A Woman in Love," when producer Jimmy Iovine received a phone call confirming Lennon's death outside his New York apartment, leaving Petty and the Heartbreakers too devastated to continue working.[9] In response to the tragedy, early vinyl pressings of the album include the etched message "We love you J.L." in the run-out groove, a subtle yet heartfelt homage etched at the mastering plant.[9] This dedication underscores the profound personal impact of Lennon's loss on Petty, who viewed him as a pivotal idol and influence in rock music. In a 1982 Playboy interview, Petty reflected on Lennon's immeasurable role in his early development as a musician, stating that he was one of the few figures he truly idolized.[10] Petty later shared in Conversations with Tom Petty how the anticipation of potentially collaborating with Lennon—amid overlapping studio schedules—amplified the shock, describing the news as utterly disorienting and contributing to the album's underlying emotional depth.[9] This tribute not only honors Lennon's legacy but also connects Hard Promises to the broader narrative of rock's generational transitions, bridging the Beatles era with emerging American rock acts like the Heartbreakers.[11]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording sessions for Hard Promises primarily occurred at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, with supplementary work conducted at Cherokee Studios in Hollywood and Goodnight Studios in Los Angeles, spanning from late 1980 through early 1981.[12] Jimmy Iovine served as the primary producer, co-producing with Tom Petty and drawing on the polished yet energetic sonic foundation established during the sessions for their prior album, Damn the Torpedoes.[13] The band's core lineup exhibited stability after their rigorous 1979–1980 world tour, comprising Tom Petty on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and occasional bass and piano; Mike Campbell on guitars; Benmont Tench on keyboards and piano; Ron Blair on bass; and Stan Lynch on drums, with additional percussion by Phil Jones.[12] Engineers Shelly Yakus and assistant Brad Gilderman facilitated a process centered on live band tracking of rhythm sections to retain the group's spontaneous intensity, complemented by layered overdubs for vocal harmonies and finer details.[14] The ongoing sessions were profoundly impacted by John Lennon's murder on December 8, 1980, an event that resonated deeply with Petty and the band.[1]Key production decisions
The production of Hard Promises was guided by deliberate choices to refine the Heartbreakers' raw rock energy while incorporating collaborative elements and a balanced track selection. Co-produced by Tom Petty and Jimmy Iovine, the album was recorded primarily at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, a venue chosen for its unchanged live room acoustics dating back to 1969, which delivered an exceptionally full and natural drum sound central to the band's live-like feel.[15] This approach minimized artificial effects, preserving the group's unpolished style through straightforward capture of performances on the studio's custom Neve 8028 console.[15] Sessions extended nearly a year, allowing time to experiment with tempos and dynamics, such as pressing drummer Stan Lynch to refine his timing over six weeks for greater precision and urgency.[16] A major artistic decision involved curating the song lineup to contrast the longer, more expansive tracks of prior albums like Damn the Torpedoes, opting instead for tighter structures and punchy arrangements that sustained rock momentum across 10 songs averaging around four minutes each.[17] Iovine and Petty discarded numerous recordings to achieve this equilibrium between high-energy rockers and introspective pieces, ensuring a cohesive flow without overextending the material.[17] The mixing process emphasized clarity, though it resulted in a somewhat restrained balance compared to the soaring exuberance of Damn the Torpedoes, with elements like high-mixed cymbal beats in tracks such as "Letting You Go" adding punch without overwhelming the core instrumentation.[18] Guest contributions were integrated strategically during mixing to enhance emotional depth. Iovine proposed adding Stevie Nicks' vocals to "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," originally a Petty solo track, leading to her re-recording the lead over the existing bed; engineers then blended the voices using variable fading across verses and choruses to craft a seamless duet effect, a choice finalized in a separate studio after initial tests proved too stark.[19] Similarly, Nicks provided backing vocals on "Insider"—a song Petty had written for her solo project but reclaimed at Iovine's urging—and on "You Can Still Change Your Mind," decisions that injected subtle harmonic layers while keeping the focus on the Heartbreakers' sound.[20][21] These additions, made post-basic tracking, underscored Iovine's vision for accessible, radio-oriented polish without diluting the album's gritty essence.[19]Composition
Song structures and themes
Hard Promises explores predominant themes of love, frustration, and introspection, balancing introspective ballads with energetic uptempo rockers that reflect Tom Petty's evolving personal narrative. The album delves into the emotional complexities of relationships, often portraying dashed hopes and heartbreak, as seen in tracks that capture a "gray mist of loneliness" pervading the lyrics.[22] Frustration emerges through motifs of struggle and unfulfilled expectations, with Petty's songwriting shifting from the assertive energy of prior work to a more vulnerable examination of post-success introspection.[22] This blend marks Petty's maturation as a songwriter after the fame of Damn the Torpedoes.[22] Musically, the songs predominantly follow verse-chorus structures, exemplified in hits like "The Waiting," where bridges introduce emotional depth through dynamic shifts and layered instrumentation.[12] Tracks average around four minutes in length, allowing for concise yet impactful arrangements that maintain momentum across the album's ten songs, totaling approximately 40 minutes.[23] These patterns contribute to a seductive, less assaultive sound compared to earlier releases, with deliberate tempos in ballads like "Insider" creating a sense of immersion.[22] The album's composition draws from 1960s rock influences, evident in chord progressions and harmonies that echo the British Invasion's jangly guitars and melodic hooks, including Byrds-style guitar breaks that provide nostalgic glimpses.[22] This fusion highlights his maturing craft, prioritizing personal ethics and relational insights over raw aggression.[22] Lyrically, recurring motifs of waiting, insider knowledge, and relational critique weave through the album, reflecting Petty's post-fame perspective on life's "hard promises."[22] Phrases like "I'm an insider / I've been burned by the fire" convey intimate awareness of personal pressures, while critiques address the hollowness of unkept vows and fleeting connections.[22] These elements form a cohesive tapestry of ethical parables, delivered in deceptively simple, elliptical style that deepens the album's emotional resonance.[22]Notable tracks
"The Waiting" served as the lead single from Hard Promises, released on April 20, 1981, and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[24] The song captures the theme of romantic anticipation, with lyrics expressing the frustration and excitement of longing for a lover, as Petty described it as drawing from the "pangs of anticipation."[25] It features prominent bass work by Ron Blair and organ contributions from Benmont Tench, contributing to its energetic rock drive.[26] "The Insider" is an acoustic ballad written by Petty originally as a duet for Stevie Nicks' debut solo album Bella Donna, but he ultimately retained it due to its deeply personal nature, exploring themes of emotional vulnerability and heartbreak.[27] Recorded with minimal instrumentation, including acoustic guitar and subtle harmonies from Nicks, the track emphasizes intimacy and raw confession, with Petty later calling it one of his most heartfelt compositions.[20] The song's creation coincided with the Hard Promises sessions. "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)" is a mid-tempo rocker released as the second single on June 29, 1981, featuring jangly guitars characteristic of the Heartbreakers' sound and peaking at number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100.[24] The lyrics address misunderstandings in relationships, with the narrator denying responsibility for a woman's romantic delusions, delivered through Petty's wry vocal style over Mike Campbell's intricate riffs.[28] "Nightwatchman" reflects Petty's experiences with fame, portraying a sense of isolation and vigilance in the spotlight, with brooding lyrics and atmospheric guitars underscoring themes of paranoia and resilience.[12] "You Can Still Change Your Mind," the album closer and another duet with Stevie Nicks, offers a message of hope and perseverance amid relational turmoil, featuring harmonious vocals and a melodic arrangement that ties into the album's introspective tone.[12]Release and promotion
Singles and marketing
The lead single from Hard Promises, "The Waiting", was released on April 20, 1981, serving as an advance preview of the album's energetic rock sound.[28] Accompanying the single was a promotional music video directed by Jim Lenahan, featuring the band in performance settings to build visual anticipation.[29] Promotion emphasized radio airplay, with stations receiving advance copies shortly before the album's release, alongside early live previews during band appearances.[30] The second single, "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)", followed on June 29, 1981, backed by the non-album B-side "Gator on the Lawn", a brief instrumental track.[31][28] This release continued the album's rollout, focusing on the track's introspective lyrics and guitar-driven arrangement to sustain radio momentum. Marketing strategies for Hard Promises were closely tied to Tom Petty's public dispute with MCA Records over proposed "superstar pricing" at $9.98, a dollar above the industry standard.[32] Petty's advocacy ensured the album launched at $8.98, with promotional ads and interviews framing the standoff as a stand for affordable access and fan loyalty, generating significant media buzz.[33][7] The album's promotion extended to a supporting U.S. tour commencing June 10, 1981, at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, which ran through the summer and fall across major venues.[34] Opening acts included the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Split Enz, and Joe Ely, helping to energize crowds and cross-pollinate audiences while showcasing new material from Hard Promises alongside earlier hits.[34]Album packaging and artwork
The album's cover artwork features a black-and-white photograph of Tom Petty standing amid record bins in a dimly lit store, intently examining vinyl albums priced at $8.98—a deliberate visual nod to his public dispute with MCA over proposed price increases for the release.[35] The image, captured by photographer Joel Bernstein during a 1981 shoot, evokes a sense of personal discovery and understated rebellion, with Petty's focused gaze adding an intimate, mysterious quality to the composition.[36] Original art direction and design were handled by Tommy Steele.[37] The initial vinyl edition was released in a standard LP jacket with an aqueous-coated cover, accompanied by a printed cardstock inner sleeve containing black-and-white band photos and full production credits.[38] A bi-fold poster insert provided lyrics for all tracks alongside additional black-and-white images of the band, emphasizing the album's raw, heartfelt aesthetic. The Backstreet Records label on the vinyl discs featured a simple, bold red-and-white design typical of MCA's imprint, underscoring the record's rock roots.[38] Liner notes in the inner sleeve detailed personnel and recording information, while the runout groove included the etched dedication "We love you J.L.," a tribute to John Lennon following his 1980 assassination, reflecting the band's admiration for the late Beatle.[9] Subsequent CD reissues, beginning in the late 1980s and including remastered editions, preserved the original cover artwork and inner elements, adapting the bi-fold insert content into booklet form with lyrics, credits, and photos for a compact disc format.[37] Promotional materials, such as posters distributed to retailers, mirrored the cover's stark black-and-white imagery and $8.98 motif to reinforce the album's theme of artistic integrity amid industry pressures.[39]Reception
Critical reviews
Upon its release in 1981, Hard Promises received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its energetic songwriting and the Heartbreakers' tight performances while noting it as a solid but less groundbreaking follow-up to the band's previous album, Damn the Torpedoes. Rolling Stone awarded the album four out of five stars, highlighting its seductive grooves and soulful delivery on tracks like "The Waiting" and "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)," which captured Petty's vulnerability and the band's dynamic interplay, though it critiqued the record for occasionally lacking the raw passion of its predecessor due to an overreliance on familiar formulas.[18] Similarly, Robert Christgau gave it a B grade in his Village Voice consumer guide, commending Petty's class-conscious stance against record label pricing but faulting the overly aggressive vocal delivery that sometimes overshadowed the material's lighter touches, describing it as heartland rock delivered with an uneven edge. Retrospective assessments have solidified Hard Promises as one of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' strongest efforts, emphasizing its balance of high-energy rockers and introspective ballads alongside Petty's refined songcraft. AllMusic rated it 4.5 out of five stars, lauding the album's tremendous set of songs and unified sound that, while not matching the epochal sweep of Damn the Torpedoes, showcased the band's tightness and Petty's ability to blend urgency with maturity.[12] Common praises across reviews focus on the ensemble's cohesive musicianship and Petty's hook-filled compositions, such as the duet "Insider" with Stevie Nicks, which added emotional depth; criticisms, however, point to occasional formulaic rockers like "You Can Still Change Your Mind" that felt derivative of earlier work.[12][18]Commercial performance
Hard Promises peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard 200 chart in June 1981. The album spent a total of 31 weeks on the chart. Internationally, the album reached number 32 on the UK Albums Chart, where it charted for 5 weeks.[40] It performed stronger in Canada, peaking at number 2 on the RPM Top 100 Albums chart. In Australia, Hard Promises peaked at number 21 on the Kent Music Report. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Hard Promises platinum on August 10, 1981, denoting shipments of 1,000,000 units in the United States.[41] The album's lead single, "The Waiting," peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1981.[24] Follow-up single "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)" reached number 79 on the same chart.[24]Personnel and credits
Band members
The core lineup of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded Hard Promises, with each member contributing essential elements to the album's rock sound. Tom Petty served as lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist (including acoustic and 6- and 12-string electric guitars), and multi-instrumentalist, playing keyboards, harmonica, bass on select tracks, and electric piano on "Something Big"; he also wrote or co-wrote all ten songs as the band's primary songwriter.[4][42] Mike Campbell provided lead and slide guitar throughout, crafting iconic riffs that defined tracks like the Byrds-inspired opening to "The Waiting" and the moody intro to "Nightwatchman."[4][43][44] Benmont Tench layered in keyboards, piano, and organ, enhancing the album's melodic depth and texture, as heard in the moody organ swells on "The Waiting."[4][44] Ron Blair anchored the rhythm section on bass guitar for most tracks (except "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)," where session bassist Duck Dunn substituted), delivering a solid, distinctive foundation that supported the band's driving grooves.[4][45] Stan Lynch handled drums and percussion, infusing the recordings with a raw, energetic propulsion that captured the group's live-wire intensity.[4][46]Additional contributors
The production of Hard Promises was led by Tom Petty and Jimmy Iovine, who co-produced the album following their successful collaboration on the band's previous release, Damn the Torpedoes. Iovine, known for his work with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, also oversaw the mixing process alongside engineer Shelly Yakus.[4][3] Guest contributions added distinctive textures to several tracks, with Stevie Nicks performing a duet vocal on "Insider" (originally written by Petty with Nicks in mind) and providing backing vocals on "You Can Still Change Your Mind." Lori Nicks supplied additional backing vocals on "Insider." Percussionist Phil Jones, a frequent collaborator with the band during this era, contributed to multiple tracks, enhancing the rhythmic foundation without overshadowing the core ensemble. Additional backing vocals were supplied by session singer Sharon Celani on "You Can Still Change Your Mind." Alan "Bugs" Weidel played piano on "Nightwatchman."[3][20][47] Engineering duties were handled primarily by Shelly Yakus, with assistance from Brad Gilderman and Tori Swenson, ensuring a polished sound recorded at Sound City Studios and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles. The album was mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City, contributing to its clear and dynamic audio profile. No songwriting credits extended beyond Petty and co-writer Mike Campbell on select tracks, maintaining the band's internal creative control.[4][37]Track listing
All songs written by Tom Petty, except where noted.| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Waiting" | Petty | 3:58 |
| 2. | "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)" | Petty, Campbell | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Nightwatchman" | Petty, Campbell | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Something Big" | Petty | 4:44 |
| 5. | "Kings Road" | Petty | 3:27 |
| 6. | "Letting You Go" | Petty | 3:24 |
| 7. | "A Thing About You" | Petty | 3:33 |
| 8. | "Insider" | Petty | 4:23 |
| 9. | "The Criminal Kind" | Petty | 4:00 |
| 10. | "You Can Still Change Your Mind" | Petty, Nicks | 3:49 |