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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers — Something Big
Album: Hard Promises
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1213









Released: 1981
Length: 4:37
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well it didn't feel like Sunday
Didn't feel like June
When he met his silent partner in that lonely corner room
That overlooked the Marquee
Of the Plaza all-adult
And he was not lookin' for romance
Just someone he could trust

(Chorus)
And it wasn't no way to carry on
It wasn't no way to live
But he could put up with it for a little while
He was workin' on something big

Speedball rang the night clerk
Said, "Send me up a drink"
The night clerk said "It's Sunday man, ...wait a minute
Let me think
There's a little place outside of town that might
Still have some wine"
Speedball said, "Forget it, can I have an outside line?"

(Chorus)

It was Monday when the daymaids
Found the still made bed
All except the pillows that lay stacked
Up at the head
And one said, "I know I've seen his face
I wonder how he is?"

And the other said, "Probably just another clown
Workin' on something big"

(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Comments (129)add comment
 jelgator wrote:

His old stuff is light years better than everything from the mid-80's and after.  IMHO.



Check out MOJO which came out in 2010.  You might adjust your opinion.
Posted 1 year ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
His old stuff is light years better than everything from the mid-80's and after.  IMHO.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:

One of my favourite deep cuts from Tom Petty

This is why i have given up on commercial music radio with its SSDD

Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
One of my favourite deep cuts from Tom Petty
Posted 2 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
 

wut ?!
Posted 5 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
 
Now, let's not get carried away.
Posted 5 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 Rockit wrote:
One of my fave Petty songs....8
 



One of my fave Petty songs...9
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
Posted 6 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
Love this, one of his best songs, and not ruined by non stop classic rock radio repeat.  I need to revisit this album, it has the other great underrated song by  him "Woman in Love."

 
Truly one of his best albums and a favorite of mine.
Posted 6 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
Love this, one of his best songs, and not ruined by non stop classic rock radio repeat.  I need to revisit this album, it has the other great underrated song by  him "Woman in Love."

 
SPOT ON!
Posted 6 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 Kev_Mo wrote:
Caught him on the Southern Rebels tour at Reunion Arena in Dallas—great show by a talented & prolific singer/songwriter, and my first dorm roommate freshman year of undergrad was from his hometown of Gainesville, FL. As the roomy related, I guess Tom didn't care much for G-Ville, hear "One Story Town" on the Long After Dark LP for affirmation.

 
I think TP's relationship with Gainesville was a little more complicated than that. Try checking out the biography.  It's a great read.
Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
{#Crown}{#Daisy}
Posted 6 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Love this, one of his best songs, and not ruined by non stop classic rock radio repeat.  I need to revisit this album, it has the other great underrated song by  him "Woman in Love."
Posted 7 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
So many fine songs and fine memories to go along with the songs given to me by this man.  I will truly miss this rock and roll legend.  I felt he had a lot left to give but it wasn't to be..his time was now. Thank you Tom, rest in peace, brother
Posted 7 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 CCinSB wrote:
{#Group-hug} group Petty hug. 

 
backatcha {#Group-hug}

I'm sure I'll become an even bigger Petty fan now that he's gone.  I was a kid watching MTV when I first learned who he was with the "Mary Jane's Last Dance" MTV video (which was pretty cool) and then as I got older and my musical tastes expanded I found out about the Bob Dylan connection.  At times I commented on how much Tom emulated Bob, yet as I sit here mourning the passing of another rock icon, I can't help to think how much more open Tom was during interviews than Mr. Dylan (as a Bob song comes up next in the playlist).  He was VERY cool, a total troubadour, and very successful.  RIP Tom!

Long Live RP!!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
Sitting here at 58-yrs-old, choking up for some guy I didn't even know. Everybody needs a good cry sometimes I guess, and it's sad that ol' Tom didn't get more years.

 
Amen.  51 for me, and the same. For a while every time I hear one of his songs it will be like this.
Posted 7 years ago by pvg44    [ Reply ]
At least he learned to fly at an early point in his life... Fly well Tom {#Angel}
Posted 7 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
Sitting here at 58-yrs-old, choking up for some guy I didn't even know. Everybody needs a good cry sometimes I guess, and it's sad that ol' Tom didn't get more years.
Posted 7 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
{#Group-hug} group Petty hug. 
Posted 7 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
RIP Mr. Petty.{#Sad}
Posted 7 years ago by red3    [ Reply ]
I'll miss you my ol' friend 
Posted 7 years ago by V12Silly    [ Reply ]
{#Sad}
Posted 7 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
{#Frown}{#Cry}  
Posted 7 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Gonna miss ya {#Heartkiss}
Posted 7 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
Heartbroken.  RIP to an amazing musician.
Posted 7 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
RIP Tom Petty
Posted 7 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
RIP Tom ,,, 
Posted 7 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
What happened to Speedball?
Daymaids comments are in present tense, "wonder who he is" rather than "wonder who he was"... I think he will be OK.
Posted 7 years ago by GregryCM    [ Reply ]
Now I think I know who Mick Jagger copied, accent wise, that is.
Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Right on Baby_M.  I was an early Petty fan and this type of quality music was the reason.  Saw his first appearance in So. CA where I was living at the time and he knocked the socks off the crowd.  Have seen dozens of show since over the years and that longevity is the sign of a great musical artist.  The tour with Dylan in the 80's was a particularly special one.  Check out the documentary on him sometime: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0965382/ 
Posted 7 years ago by domreo    [ Reply ]
A 3-minute film noir.
Posted 8 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Caught him on the Southern Rebels tour at Reunion Arena in Dallas—great show by a talented & prolific singer/songwriter, and my first dorm roommate freshman year of undergrad was from his hometown of Gainesville, FL. As the roomy related, I guess Tom didn't care much for G-Ville, hear "One Story Town" on the Long After Dark LP for affirmation.
Posted 8 years ago by Kev_Mo    [ Reply ]
ok genie I want to be in that record store, at that time, with TP and my buddy Roddy and a never ending supply of cash  : )
Fun rocker man! 
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
FROM MY FAV TPETTY ! GREAT LYRICS ON THIS TRACK
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
I have to admit that I didn't get Tom Petty's stuff back in the day, but man this is soooo solid.
Posted 10 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
this is my psd... have you had a brain fart?
Posted 11 years ago by paisleydancer66    [ Reply ]
Tom must have ended up buying all of those 45's on that rack behind him, as I haven't seen one in a store since 1981.
Posted 11 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Great story, set to some tasty music. It's Petty's snide delivery that sells it for me, though! Excellent tune!
Posted 11 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
This is SUCH a great story-song.  I love the whole album.
 
It was Monday when the day-maids
Found his still-made bed
All except the pillows that lay stacked up at the head
One said, "I know I've seen his face
I wonder who he is?"
The other said, "He's probably just another clown,
Working on something big..."
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
One of my fave Petty songs....8
Posted 11 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]
81? Wow,,,
Never heard this before and just love it!
 
Posted 12 years ago by kingfish2004    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Widespread Panic with Petty at vocals....
Posted 12 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]
Wry humor abounds... one of my favorite TP songs. But it's correct- the band's been together so long there is a friggin' "tribute band" playing in SoCal these days. That makes me feel old- I wonder how it makes Petty feel? 
Posted 12 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
This is SUCH a great story-song.  I love the whole album.
 
It was Monday when the day-maids
Found his still-made bed
All except the pillows that lay stacked up at the head
One said, "I know I've seen his face
I wonder who he is?"
The other said, "He's probably just another clown,
Working on something big..."
 
Yeah, although you have to fill in some gaps in the story. Comes to mind when you see buffoons in the news—Newt Gingrich, Donald Trump, Manny Ramirez. 
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
My first Tom Petty album, and I think this was my favorite song off of it for quite some time.
Posted 12 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Wait, this record is over 30 years old?!? Damn....Oh well, I'm off to find my cassette....
Posted 12 years ago by robbeek    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Mediocre like most of his output. Do like his new album 'Mojo' though...
 
Do you really think that George Harrison liked playing music with mediocre people?


Posted 13 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
Just one of my favorite artists, period. I like some of his songs better than others, but I can't think of one that I don't enjoy hearing. I always feel happy when a TP song starts and I recognize his voice. I know I'm in for a few minutes of musical pleasure.{#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by errantpenny    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:Yeah, I know he was a flake—most drummers are—
 
Stereotype much?

Posted 13 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Do you think that Sheryl Crowe may have been created from one of Tom Petty's ribs?
Posted 13 years ago by p2h2d2    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Mediocre like most of his output. Do like his new album 'Mojo' though...
 

Pretty much how I categorize TP too. Not bad, not outstanding, just kinda there.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
I always liked the way Stan Lynch's drums carried a lot of The Heartbreakers' songs, this among them. Yeah, I know he was a flake—most drummers are—but still a good fit with this version of the band.
 

I agree WonderLizard. The band's current drummer, while entirely competent, doesn't stand out in any way. Every time TP puts out a new album, I hope Lynch will be back behind the drums. Apparently he's burned too many bridges for that to happen! 
Posted 13 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]

When Tom Petty was in high school, he was trying to impress a girl he liked by telling her he was in a band. Of course, he wasn't. She promptly asked him if his band would play at their prom. He happily agreed. Between then and prom, he got a band together and learned how play some cover songs. He played the prom: the rest is history. I don't know what happened to the girl. I hope he at least got a kiss.

At least that's the story I heard.


Posted 13 years ago by PA1749    [ Reply ]
I always liked the way Stan Lynch's drums carried a lot of The Heartbreakers' songs, this among them. Yeah, I know he was a flake—most drummers are—but still a good fit with this version of the band.
Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Good stuff.  Not spectacular but yes a good story song.
Posted 13 years ago by mapman    [ Reply ]
This year's Super Bowl halftime show made me REALLY miss the Heartbreakers' appearance from a few years back...
Posted 13 years ago by Catatonic42    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
I always wondered if he had his tongue shot with Novocaine before he sings....Still like it though{#Music}
 

Good description.  But I like it, too.
Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Stefen wrote:
I really like this tune. I'm surprised the average rating is only 7.
7 is described as "Quite Likable", as in "I really like this tune". Pretty high praise.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
This is SUCH a great story-song.  I love the whole album.
 
It was Monday when the day-maids
Found his still-made bed
All except the pillows that lay stacked up at the head
One said, "I know I've seen his face
I wonder who he is?"
The other said, "He's probably just another clown,
Working on something big..."
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Ok so he's overdoing it a bit with the vocal anti-enunciation, but I have always liked this song... great lyrics, reads like a film noir.
Posted 14 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
Mediocre like most of his output. Do like his new album 'Mojo' though...
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I always wondered if he had his tongue shot with Novocaine before he sings....Still like it though{#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
...i'm biased in favor of early tom petty...
Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
 sdn wrote:
Good god, what the hell is Petty singing here?

I think he hits at least 800 millidylans on this song!
 
I'll bet when you go to Baskin Robbins, you always order vanilla.

Posted 14 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
...And he was not lookin' for romance — just someone he could trust..
Posted 14 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
Did he have a head cold when he recorded this?.....
Posted 14 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Good god, what the hell is Petty singing here?

I think he hits at least 800 millidylans on this song!
Posted 14 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:

. . . back when Tom could still snarl and swagger. . .

 

...with the best of them.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
The Live Anthology which came out earlier this week is incredible. Its going to be in my car CD player for a while.
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Tom's one of those people I feel I should like whatever he does...but this is boring me
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Nice! Songs like this remind us why Tom is a rock star. He just has a way with a turn of phrase. {#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]

Mike Campbell like Lindsey Buckingham is one of those amazing talents who is some how underrated.
Petty is a channel for brilliance, his lyrics are nuanced and catchy and Campbell's licks NEVER get old.

  It's nice to see Petty finally recognized world wide as the talent he is.
From Mudcrutch to the Traveling Wilburys, Petty has laid down some of
the most memorable music of our time. From Refugee to You Wreck Me Baby,
Honey Bee and Free-Fallin' Petty is an American Icon, it just doesn't get much
better. Rock on Muddy, or is that Charlie T. Jr. ?
 
Posted 15 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
More Tom Petty, PLEASE!
Posted 15 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
 mamashannon wrote:
I love it when you're playing the 3rd album in a row that I own! RP and I were meant for each other.
 
I much prefer RP to NOT play the songs I own. I can listen to my own on my own...

{#Wink}

Hm, not my favorite Tom Petty song. Gave it a decent 5.

Posted 16 years ago by hopper99    [ Reply ]
 JohnBauer wrote:
I went nearly 30 years without hearing a single Tom Petty song. Now I'm drowning in Tom Petty. What's the deal?


You finally found a good radio station to listen to!

Welcome to the world of great music.

Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp}


happy bday GC...coming up!

Posted 16 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
I went nearly 30 years without hearing a single Tom Petty song. Now I'm drowning in Tom Petty. What's the deal?
Posted 16 years ago by JohnBauer    [ Reply ]
HELL YEAH BABY Making life better one $@#%#^$%&^%$&%$ song at a TIME! BOO-YAH!
Posted 16 years ago by kingfish2004    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by sarahbean26    [ Reply ]
I love it when you're playing the 3rd album in a row that I own! RP and I were meant for each other.
Posted 16 years ago by mamashannon    [ Reply ]
Roverfish wrote:
Well, color me embarrassed. All these years I'd blamed Tom's poor diction on alcohol and/or drugs, and it turns out he's a denture wearer. Clearly, he forgot them when he recorded this song. Diction (and joking) aside, the instrumentation is excellent as always. Quite likeable tune overall.
I thought he was doing his Bob Dylan impression.
Posted 16 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
Radio_Man wrote:
Ahhh...a classic from the last few years of vinyl.
I have three copies. One was played to death, the other two are audiophile vinyl (one still has the cello on it). Love my vinyl.
Posted 16 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
I really like this tune. I'm surprised the average rating is only 7.
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Forgot how good this was... Gonna have to dig it out.
Posted 17 years ago by oufason    [ Reply ]
I Miss You!
Posted 17 years ago by ghcollins86    [ Reply ]
Great storytelling .. Just another clown working on something big...
Posted 17 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
Uncle Tom!!! Welcome to Radio P and thanx for being you!
Posted 17 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Great Album Great Song I think I'll be listening to Hard Promises on my run tonight.
Posted 17 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Radio_Man wrote:
Ahhh...a classic from the last few years of vinyl.
The irony of that is that Petty refused to allow Backstreet to release the record because its parent company or distributor (I'm not sure which) was planning to charge $9.98 for it, upping the ante from $8.98--oh, those were the days. From what I understand it was quite a battle in which Petty eventually prevailed. But of course only for his LP and only for a bit. On the album cover note the "$8.98" on the smaller cardboard sign in the box of LPs behind his left sleeve.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
ditto....80) i follow in your footsteps my friend~ Mari wrote:
Posted 17 years ago by godspeed    [ Reply ]
vandal wrote:
. . . back when Tom could still snarl and swagger. . .
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
. . . back when Tom could still snarl and swagger. . .
Posted 17 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Yum!
Posted 17 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Great song.Great man.Great band.
Posted 17 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
joek wrote:
Couldn't agree more. This whole record is amazing. King's Row is an amazing song too....blows me away.
absolutely
Posted 18 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
You could set a metronome to all Tom Petty's songs and never have to change the time meter
Posted 18 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
Couldn't agree more. This whole record is amazing. King's Row is an amazing song too....blows me away. birdland wrote:
And one said I know I've seen his face I wonder who he is The other said probably Just another clown Working on something big My absolute favorite Tom Petty track. Film noir, understated, beautiful.
Posted 18 years ago by joek    [ Reply ]
Great song from Petty.
Posted 18 years ago by Rocking-M    [ Reply ]
Ahhh...a classic from the last few years of vinyl.
Posted 18 years ago by Radio_Man    [ Reply ]
And one said 'I know
I''ve seen his face
I wonder who he is'

The other said 'probably
just another clown
working on something big'
My absolute favorite Tom Petty track. Film noir, understated, beautiful.

Posted 18 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
Tom Petty should be arrested for violating his own copyright.
If you can't steal from yourself, who can you steal from? Come on...Rock and roll is all of 3 chords...it's inevitable to bump into yourself if you write tunes for 30 yrs. Get over it.
Posted 18 years ago by jedzep    [ Reply ]
Well, color me embarrassed. All these years I'd blamed Tom's poor diction on alcohol and/or drugs, and it turns out he's a denture wearer. Clearly, he forgot them when he recorded this song. Diction (and joking) aside, the instrumentation is excellent as always. Quite likeable tune overall.
Posted 18 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Tom Petty should be arrested for violating his own copyright.
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
FreeBob wrote:
You're funny, you must be young. Normally we just keep getting better and better at our chosen path in life! Musicians included, of course. Look at our early rockers - David Gilmour just hit 60 and he sounds terrific! How old is Jagger - 80? (just kidding Mick).
I saw an interview with Tom Petty a little while ago and they asked him when he's going to retire. He said he was just following the Stones :)
Posted 18 years ago by garoo1980    [ Reply ]
rkbrownie wrote:
Hard to believe he is still going strong for almost 25 years.....in concert he just keeps getting better with age!
You're funny, you must be young. Normally we just keep getting better and better at our chosen path in life! Musicians included, of course. Look at our early rockers - David Gilmour just hit 60 and he sounds terrific! How old is Jagger - 80? (just kidding Mick).
Posted 18 years ago by maninblack    [ Reply ]
I want something big too, Tom. Your a definite 10.
Posted 18 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Hard to believe he is still going strong for almost 25 years.....in concert he just keeps getting better with age!
Posted 18 years ago by rkbrownie    [ Reply ]
Man I do love Petty.
Posted 18 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Offbeat choice from the Tom Petty catalog. Nice. I like it. Something big. Yeahhhh, that's the ticket.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
nice.
Posted 18 years ago by nohopenofearnoname    [ Reply ]
Not a great one of his. Does it cost more to pronounce simple English words comprehensibly?
Posted 19 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
...As if in response to Trust's posts... here we have ,Mr. Petty! Much better! 8.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
DarkStar wrote:
Wore out this cassette, every track on Hard Promises is worthy.
Agreed!
Posted 19 years ago by CBJr    [ Reply ]
Ahhh, this might be (I can't remember) my FIRST album purchase. Good stuff!
Posted 19 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Wore out this cassette, every track on Hard Promises is worthy.
Posted 19 years ago by DarkStar    [ Reply ]
Dang, this is one of Petty's best albums to date. I love this song - sorta reminiscent of Bob Dylan in the vocals, Springsteen in the storytelling. Good stuff. Thanks for playing it, RP!
Posted 19 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Cool song, I think this tells a better story than Britney.
Posted 19 years ago by rjs    [ Reply ]
Gregorama wrote:
I think it is "Night Clerk..."
Think you're right.... its been a really long time....
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
steveie9 wrote:
Excellent Petty! Now play some from "Long After Dark". As someone said earlier - very, very underrated
"Straigh into Darkness" would play well here.....
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
ralphcanoe wrote:
Speedball rang the nightgirl... Great Petty tune.... before the big commercialism. This brings back memories.
I think it is "Night Clerk..."
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]