Listen to Her Heart

The song Listen to Her Heart by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, from their 1978 album You're Gonna Get It!, carries a gritty backstory rooted in a real-life incident. Tom Petty wrote the song as a response to Ike Turner making advances toward his then-wife, Jane Benyo, at a party hosted by Turner in Los Angeles. According to Petty, Benyo attended the event with producer Denny Cordell, where Turner reportedly locked the doors to prevent guests from leaving, an act Petty initially found amusing when crafting the song’s narrative. The song’s opening line, “You think you're gonna take her away with your money and your cocaine,” sparked controversy with ABC Records, who pushed Petty to replace “cocaine” with “champagne” for radio-friendliness. Petty refused, arguing in a 2005 interview for Conversations With Tom Petty that the substitution would alter the song’s essence, as the character he envisioned wouldn’t care about champagne’s price. This defiance limited the song’s airplay, yet it peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned critical acclaim, ranking number five on Billboard’s list of Petty’s 20 greatest songs and on Rolling Stone’s list of his 50 greatest.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s early live performances. Listen to Her Heart was played live as early as June 14, 1977, on Germany’s Rockpalast television show, nearly a year before its official release. A 2019 post from the official Tom Petty X account highlighted Petty’s reflection on the song’s riff, noting how it perfectly suited him and lead guitarist Mike Campbell, creating a sound that “knocked out” the band from the start. The song’s raw energy and defiant tone resonated with fans, as seen in a 2022 Tom Petty Facebook post quoting its chorus, “She’s gonna listen to her heart, it’s gonna tell her what to do,” from a 1981 Hard Promises tour performance. Fans on platforms like Reddit’s r/tompetty community continue to celebrate the track, with posts praising its timeless appeal and its role in the band’s early catalog.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ journey began in Gainesville, Florida, in 1976, when Petty, a young musician with a passion for rock and roll, assembled a talented lineup. Born Thomas Earl Petty on October 20, 1950, he was drawn to music early, inspired by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Petty’s first band, Mudcrutch, included future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, but it disbanded after limited success. Undeterred, Petty regrouped with Campbell, Tench, drummer Stan Lynch, and bassist Ron Blair to form the Heartbreakers. Their self-titled debut album in 1976, released via Shelter Records, featured hits like American Girl and Breakdown, gaining traction in the UK before breaking through in the US. Petty’s commitment to artistic control defined their early years, notably when he filed for bankruptcy in 1979 to resist being transferred to MCA Records without consent, a bold move that led to a deal with MCA’s Backstreet Records and the platinum-selling Damn the Torpedoes.

The band’s music, blending Southern rock and heartland rock influences, drew comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and the Byrds, yet Petty insisted on calling it simply rock and roll. Over four decades, they released 13 studio albums, with You're Gonna Get It! marking their first gold record. Petty’s songwriting, often personal and defiant, connected with fans worldwide, selling over 80 million records. Beyond the Heartbreakers, Petty found success as a solo artist with albums like Full Moon Fever and as a member of the Traveling Wilburys. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and Petty was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in 2017, shortly before his death from an accidental overdose on October 2, 2017, at age 66.

Fans can explore more about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers through their official website, which offers music, news, and merchandise. Their Facebook and Instagram accounts share archival content and updates, while the X account engages with fans through posts about the band’s legacy. Fan communities thrive online, including the r/tompetty Reddit group and fan sites like Tom Petty Nation, which hosts discussions and tributes. The Tom Petty Nation Facebook group also connects “Zoo Freaks” and other devotees, keeping the band’s spirit alive through shared stories and memories.