American Girl (Live 1985)

"American Girl," recorded live in 1985 by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for their album Pack Up The Plantation - Live!, is a song that captures the raw energy of their performances. Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia! Tom Petty wrote this track in a small apartment in Encino, California, where the sound of cars on the nearby freeway inspired the lyric about waves crashing on the beach. The song, recorded on July 4, 1976, for their debut album, coincidentally marked the U.S. Bicentennial, giving it a patriotic vibe. At the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, Petty and the band kicked off their set with "American Girl" in front of 100,000 people, but one minute into the performance, Petty famously flipped off someone in the crowd, a moment broadcast to millions. This live version, captured at the Wiltern Theatre, showcases the band’s tight chemistry and the song’s enduring appeal.

The song’s lyrics, about a girl longing for more, sparked an urban legend in Petty’s hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Some believed it was inspired by a University of Florida student who jumped from Beaty Towers dormitory, near US Route 441 mentioned in the song. Petty debunked this in his book Conversations with Tom Petty, calling it a myth, and a UF spokesman confirmed no such incident occurred, as the building lacks balconies. Another tidbit: Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, a major influence on Petty, covered "American Girl" in 1977 and jokingly asked his manager, “When did I write that song?” due to its Byrds-like jangle. The Strokes also admitted to borrowing its riff for their 2001 hit “Last Nite,” which Petty found amusing, saying in a 2006 Rolling Stone interview, “OK, good for you.” This song closed the Heartbreakers’ final show on September 25, 2017, at the Hollywood Bowl, just a week before Petty’s tragic passing.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1976, but their story starts earlier with Petty’s love for music. Born Thomas Earl Petty on October 20, 1950, he was inspired at age 10 after meeting Elvis Presley on a film set in Florida. By his teens, he was playing in local bands like The Sundowners and The Epics. In the early 1970s, Petty joined Mudcrutch, with future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Though Mudcrutch fizzled out, Petty’s determination led him to Los Angeles, where he reunited with Campbell and Tench, adding Stan Lynch and Ron Blair to form the Heartbreakers. Their self-titled debut, featuring "American Girl," struggled in the U.S. but gained traction in the UK, sparking a British tour and eventual Stateside success. Petty’s stubborn fight for artistic control, including a 1979 bankruptcy filing to resist a label transfer, cemented his reputation as a fiercely independent artist.

Stay connected with Tom Petty’s legacy through the band’s official website, where you can find tour archives, music, and merchandise. Follow their official Facebook and Instagram for updates on releases and tributes, and check out their X account for fan interactions and throwback posts, like one from 2022 highlighting an early “American Girl” performance at the Whisky a Go Go. Fans can dive deeper at Tom Petty Radio, a SiriusXM channel dedicated to his music, or join the Tom Petty Nation Facebook group to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks. Another fan hub, PettyFan.com, offers forums and news for die-hard supporters.