Tom Petty makes me think of Alaska.
I was 3,500 miles away from my family, working in Skagway the summer after the release of the “Wildflowers” album and the summer before my senior year of college. The excitement of far-away adventure and the uniqueness of the former gold rush port town were giving way to loneliness as I walked along the harbor. The coolness of the breeze coming off the water and the towering terrain surrounding me seemed to constantly remind that I was a long way from home.
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free
Tom Petty reminds me of the importance of finding your voice. And I don’t mean singing. It’s an author’s or songwriter’s unique style and way of communicating things. Petty’s tone changes significantly from “Breakdown” to “I Won’t Back Down” to “Only a Broken Heart” and “It’s Good to Be King,” but that authentic, engaging approach always holds true. Petty’s direct, relatable, even simple lyrics increased his connection with the audience and then the music elevated that meeting place into the stratosphere.
It’s good to be king and have your own way
Get a feeling of peace at the end of the day
When your bulldog barks and your canary sings
You’re out there with winners, it’s good to be king
Tom Petty reminds me of the things I have taken for granted. An artist and performer so good for so long – I used to marvel that his debut hit is older than my sister – perhaps becomes a victim of his own success. Both familiar and unique, his songs earned easy access to my heart and soul. Something so close and comfortable was taken for granted and now the legend is gone. Even his death last month was sadly overshadowed.
Some things are over
Some things go on
Part of me you carry
Part of me is gone
Skagway, Alaska: Among Tom Petty’s many powers, he made a very memorable place even more so.
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