Tom Petty Earns Posthumous ‘Billboard’ Chart Hit

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

December 15th, 2023 10:38 AM

Tom Petty is earning some surprising love from Billboard on their Rock Digital Song Sales chart.

On the latest edition of this Billboard chart, Petty’s song “Love Is A Long Road” has appeared at No. 7. How did this happen? The track was featured in the trailer for the video game Grand Theft Auto VI.

“Love Is A Long Road” is featured on Petty’s hit 1989 debut solo album Full Moon Fever. The track is considered a deep cut on the album since it already many classic songs. Among them are “I Won’t Back Down,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream” and “Free Fallin’.”

Before the release of the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, Billboard reported on Dec. 7 that “Love Is a Long Road” already saw an over 8,000% increase in streams thanks to the GTA trailer.

Billboard noted, “Though ‘Long Road’ was only drawing between 4,000-5,000 daily official on-demand U.S. streams before over the weekend, that number was up to 78,000 on Monday (Dec. 4) – when the trailer first leaked on social media – and rocketed to 376,000 on Tuesday after the trailer’s proper release, according to preliminary numbers from Luminate: a gain of 8,421% from the prior Sunday.”

More Love for Petty

The interest in “Love Is a Long Road” is not the first time this year that Petty received some unexpected love. In September, country star Chris Stapleton shared via Instagram his visit to the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention. The museum is located in Gainesville, Fla., which is the hometown of Petty. Understandably, the museum features artifacts from their favorite son from his legendary career.

Stapleton wrote, “My all-time favorite record is Tom Petty ‘Wildflowers.’ Standing on the rugs that were in the room, staring at the artifacts from its creation were highlight moments for me. Thanks Cade Museum for an unforgettable experience.”

Released in 1994, Wildflowers was Petty’s second solo studio album, which was the follow-up to his hit 1989 solo debut Full Moon Fever. Wildflowers is among Petty’s most beloved works. The album features “You Wreck Me,” “It’s Good to Be King” and “You Don’t Know How It Feels.”

'Full Moon Fever': Every Song Ranked

• 12. “Alright For Now”

  Share

  If you're looking for evidence as to just how great 'Full Moon Fever' is, "Alright For Now" kicks off this list. (Sorry! Something had to rank 12th!) A two-minute acoustic tune, it's beautiful in its simplicity and earnestness.

• 11. “Depending on You”

  Share

  A straight-forward love song, "Depending On You" cuts right to the chase: Stop trying to change yourself for other people! You're pretty great already!

• 10. “The Apartment Song”

  Share

  There's not a lot to "The Apartment Song," but its infectious, jaunty nature is absolutely undeniable. After one listen, it'll likely get stuck in your head, and that certainly isn't a bad thing.

• 9. “A Mind with a Heart of its Own”

  Share

  Holy Bo Diddley, Batman! Between the energetic Diddley-inspired riff and the hooky chorus, perhaps "A Mind with a Heart of its Own" is the most underrated earworm of 'Full Moon Fever.' (No offense to the previously mentioned "The Apartment Song.")
• 8. “Zombie Zoo”

  Share

  Delightfully tongue in cheek, "Zombie Zoo" has a little fun at the expense of goths. Even those who went through a goth phase in all its pale, black eyeliner glory have to admit this song's pretty on-point. Roy Orbison providing backing vocals doesn't hurt either.

• 7. “Feel a Whole Lot Better”

  Share

  A cover of The Byrds "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," this track kicks off side two of the LP/cassette version of 'Full Moon Fever.' Those listening to the album were drolly greeted with this information via the hidden track "Hello, CD listeners..." The backing vocals on this track come via Jeff Lynne, and they are just sublime.

• 6. “A Face in the Crowd”

  Share

  "A Face in the Crowd" poignantly demonstrates how love can seemingly come out of nowhere. Or, in the case of its lyrics, "Out of a dream, out of the sky. Into my heart, into my life"

• 5. “Yer So Bad”

  Share

  Easily the darkest song on the album, "Yer So Bad" tells the common tale of the aftermath of divorce. Of course, the tale is told from the perspective of a brother whose sister "married a yuppie" and "took him for all he was worth." Good thing the brother has someone to save him and is the "best thing I ever had."
• 4. “Love Is a Long Road”

  Share

  Ever given a relationship chance after chance to get better only to realize that you just need to get out? "Love Is a Long Road" is the perfect soundtrack for that situation.

• 3. “Free Fallin'”

  Share

  Petty said in an interview with 'Billboard' "...really just to amuse Jeff, honestly, I just sang that first verse. Then he starts laughing. Honestly, I thought I was just amusing Jeff but then I got to the chorus of the song and he leaned over to me and said the word, ‘freefalling.’" And that's how Petty's highest-charting hit was born!

• 2. “I Won’t Back Down”

  Share

  Of all of the running themes in rock and roll over its decades-long existence, defiance and rebellion are certainly among the most beloved. With "I Won't Back Down," those themes are front and center, and thirty years later, the song continues to be one of the greatest anthems of all time.

• 1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream”

  Share

  From its opening riff to the fading out guitar solo, "Runnin' Down a Dream" is 4:23 of rock and roll perfection on an album packed with incredible songs. Co-written by Petty, Lynne and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, "Runnin' Down A Dream" might just be one of the simplest and yet most profound allegory about life itself. All of us have hopes and dreams, and every single day, we get a chance to work on that mystery and go wherever it leads to make them happen. If you by chance have Del Shannon's "Runaway" playing as all of this is going down, consider it a bonus.

Sign Up For The 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock Insider Newsletter

Get the latest Classic Rock and local stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music
• WCSX

Tags:

Tom Petty