Tom Petty Concert 6/18/08

I was walking home Tuesday night and I got a text from John “want to see Tom Petty tonight?” I thought about it for 2 seconds and sent back a "yes." I love Tom Petty, he is a classic feel good rocker. The concert wasn’t to promote a new album or to bail someone out of financial debt, it's purpose was to have a good time. Steve Winwood opened, which we missed, but not completely as he played two songs during Tom’s set. I knew 95% of the songs which makes going to a show so much better. Even if you don’t recognize the names of the songs in the set list below, I’m sure you would know the songs if you heard them. The highlight of the show for me was "Learning to Fly." Not only is it a pretty song, but it was the part of the show where they turn the music down and the microphone points out to the audience and we all sing it back to the person who gave us the song.

I’m learning to fly…
But I aint got wings…
Coming down…
Is the hardest thing.


Now I know what you are thinking... you are thinking those lyrics are about drugs. Maybe they are and maybe they aren’t. That’s not the point. The point is that moment in the show when the audience, in perfect harmony, sings back a song to the artist. It sends chills up my spine. It must be amazing to be on that stage and hear thousands of people singing your song back to you. I think it’s our way of saying thank you… thank you for entertaining us.

Tom, thank you.