Listen to Her Heart explained

Listen to Her Heart
Cover:TP - Listen to Her Heart single.png
Type:single
Artist:Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Album:You're Gonna Get It!
A-Side:Listen to Her Heart
B-Side:I Don't Know What to Say to You
Recorded:Shelter Studios, Hollywood
Genre:Rock[1]
Length:3:05
Label:Shelter
Producer:
  • Denny Cordell
  • Noah Shark
  • Tom Petty
Prev Title:I Need to Know
Prev Year:1978
Next Title:Don't Do Me Like That
Next Year:1979

"Listen to Her Heart" is a song recorded by American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was released in August 1978 as the second single from their second album, You're Gonna Get It!. It peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in October 1978.[2] This song as well as "I Need to Know" was already being played live as early as June 14, 1977 as is evidenced in Germany's music television show, Rockpalast.[3]

Background and content

Petty wrote the song as a response to Ike Turner making advances toward Petty's wife at the time.[4]

ABC Records pushed for the mention cocaine in the opening lyrics to be changed to the more radio-friendly lyric "champagne", but Petty refused. As a result, the song received limited airplay.[5]

Reception

"Listen to Her Heart" was ranked number five on Billboards list of Petty's 20 greatest songs and on Rolling Stones list of Petty's 50 greatest songs.[6] [7] Cash Box said it has "an emphatic guitar opening" and "the story of an independent woman."[8] Record World said the song "sounds a bit like Buddy Holly and has all the elements of a pop natural."[9]

All appearances

Charts

Chart (1978)Peak
position
Canadian RPM Top Singles66[10]
U.S. Billboard Hot 10059[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Tom Petty's final interview: There was supposed to have been so much more. Lewis, Randy. Los Angeles Times. October 4, 2017. November 27, 2019. Classic-rock staples including “Breakdown,” “American Girl,” “Refugee,” “Even the Losers,” “Learning to Fly,” “Listen to Her Heart,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “Walls,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.".
  2. [Joel Whitburn]
  3. Web site: Tom Petty Live In Rockpalast 1977—在线播放—优酷网,视频高清在线观看 . V.youku.com . 2016-10-13.
  4. Web site: "Listen to Her Heart". Au.rollingstone.com. 30 November 2020 . 16 November 2021.
  5. News: From the Archives: Tom Petty breaks down 10 of his songs, including big hits and obscure gems. 16 March 2002. Los Angeles Times. 16 November 2021.
  6. The 20 Best Tom Petty Songs. Andrew. Unterberger. Billboard. October 3, 2017. February 8, 2022.
  7. Tom Petty: 50 Greatest Songs. Rolling Stone. November 28, 2020. February 8, 2022.
  8. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. September 2, 1978. 20. Cash Box. 2022-01-01.
  9. Record World. September 2, 1978. 2023-02-13. Hits of the Week. 3.
  10. Web site: Canada. Library and Archives. 2013-07-17. Image : RPM Weekly. 2021-09-20. Bac-lac.gc.ca.
  11. The Hot 100 Chart. 2021-09-20. Billboard.