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Album: Hard Promises
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1166









Released: 1981
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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.
His old stuff is light years better than everything from the mid-80's and after.  IMHO.
 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

One of my favourite deep cuts from Tom Petty
 Rockit9 wrote:
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
 

wut ?!
 Rockit9 wrote:
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
 
Now, let's not get carried away.
 Rockit wrote:
One of my fave Petty songs....8
 



One of my fave Petty songs...9
This song is cooler than the Dark Side of The Moon.
 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.
 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!
 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.
{#Crown}{#Daisy}
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."
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
 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!!


 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.
At least he learned to fly at an early point in his life... Fly well Tom {#Angel}
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.
{#Group-hug} group Petty hug. 
RIP Mr. Petty.{#Sad}
I'll miss you my ol' friend 
{#Sad}
{#Frown}{#Cry}  
Gonna miss ya {#Heartkiss}
Heartbroken.  RIP to an amazing musician.
RIP Tom Petty
RIP Tom ,,, 
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.
Now I think I know who Mick Jagger copied, accent wise, that is.
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/ 
A 3-minute film noir.
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.
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! 
FROM MY FAV TPETTY ! GREAT LYRICS ON THIS TRACK
I have to admit that I didn't get Tom Petty's stuff back in the day, but man this is soooo solid.
this is my psd... have you had a brain fart?
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.
Great story, set to some tasty music. It's Petty's snide delivery that sells it for me, though! Excellent tune!
 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...
 
One of my fave Petty songs....8
81? Wow,,,
Never heard this before and just love it!
 
Sounds like Widespread Panic with Petty at vocals....
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? 
 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. 
My first Tom Petty album, and I think this was my favorite song off of it for quite some time.
Wait, this record is over 30 years old?!? Damn....Oh well, I'm off to find my cassette....
 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?


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}
 WonderLizard wrote:Yeah, I know he was a flake—most drummers are—
 
Stereotype much?

Do you think that Sheryl Crowe may have been created from one of Tom Petty's ribs?
 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.
 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! 

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.


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.
Good stuff.  Not spectacular but yes a good story song.
This year's Super Bowl halftime show made me REALLY miss the Heartbreakers' appearance from a few years back...
 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.
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.

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..."

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.
Mediocre like most of his output. Do like his new album 'Mojo' though...
I always wondered if he had his tongue shot with Novocaine before he sings....Still like it though{#Music}
...i'm biased in favor of early tom petty...
 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.

...And he was not lookin' for romance — just someone he could trust..
Did he have a head cold when he recorded this?.....
Good god, what the hell is Petty singing here?

I think he hits at least 800 millidylans on this song!
 vandal wrote:

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

 

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

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. ?
 
More Tom Petty, PLEASE!
 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.

 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.

{#Devil_pimp}


happy bday GC...coming up!

I went nearly 30 years without hearing a single Tom Petty song. Now I'm drowning in Tom Petty. What's the deal?
HELL YEAH BABY Making life better one $@#%#^$%&^%$&%$ song at a TIME! BOO-YAH!
I love it when you're playing the 3rd album in a row that I own! RP and I were meant for each other.
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.
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.
I really like this tune. I'm surprised the average rating is only 7.
Forgot how good this was... Gonna have to dig it out.
I Miss You!
Great storytelling .. Just another clown working on something big...
Uncle Tom!!! Welcome to Radio P and thanx for being you!
Great Album Great Song I think I'll be listening to Hard Promises on my run tonight.
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.
ditto....80) i follow in your footsteps my friend~ Mari wrote:
vandal wrote:
. . . back when Tom could still snarl and swagger. . .
. . . back when Tom could still snarl and swagger. . .
Yum!
Great song.Great man.Great band.
joek wrote:
Couldn't agree more. This whole record is amazing. King's Row is an amazing song too....blows me away.
absolutely
You could set a metronome to all Tom Petty's songs and never have to change the time meter
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.
Great song from Petty.
Ahhh...a classic from the last few years of vinyl.
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.

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.
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.
Tom Petty should be arrested for violating his own copyright.
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 :)
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).
I want something big too, Tom. Your a definite 10.
Hard to believe he is still going strong for almost 25 years.....in concert he just keeps getting better with age!
Man I do love Petty.
Offbeat choice from the Tom Petty catalog. Nice. I like it. Something big. Yeahhhh, that's the ticket.
nice.
Not a great one of his. Does it cost more to pronounce simple English words comprehensibly?
...As if in response to Trust's posts... here we have ,Mr. Petty! Much better! 8.
DarkStar wrote:
Wore out this cassette, every track on Hard Promises is worthy.
Agreed!
Ahhh, this might be (I can't remember) my FIRST album purchase. Good stuff!
Wore out this cassette, every track on Hard Promises is worthy.
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!
Cool song, I think this tells a better story than Britney.
Gregorama wrote:
I think it is "Night Clerk..."
Think you're right.... its been a really long time....
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.....
ralphcanoe wrote:
Speedball rang the nightgirl... Great Petty tune.... before the big commercialism. This brings back memories.
I think it is "Night Clerk..."