Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers — So You Want to Be a Rock N Roll Star (live)
Album: Live 2013Avg rating:
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Length: 3:29
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So you want to be a rock'n'roll star
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
And take some time and learn how to play
And when your hair's combed right and your pants fit tight
It's gonna be all right
Then it's time to go down town
Where the agent men won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware
And in a week or two if you make the charts
The girls will tear you apart
What you pay for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game
You're a little insane
The money that came and the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are
You're a rock'n'roll star
Lalalalalalala
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
And take some time and learn how to play
And when your hair's combed right and your pants fit tight
It's gonna be all right
Then it's time to go down town
Where the agent men won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware
And in a week or two if you make the charts
The girls will tear you apart
What you pay for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game
You're a little insane
The money that came and the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are
You're a rock'n'roll star
Lalalalalalala
Comments (50)add comment
That's a rock and roll poem!
Whenever a Tom Petty track is played on RP, I smile. Thank you Tom.
Love this version. Actually, almost every version!!
Chi_Editrix wrote:
All I can think of is that if he had just stuck with Mary Jane, he'd still be alive.
I don't know why it is. I hear Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, I feel sad but move on. But when I hear this guy's voice I just lose it! Too soon, too soon.
All I can think of is that if he had just stuck with Mary Jane, he'd still be alive.
Lazarus wrote:
He needed a surgery and didn't go. What a pity Mr. Petty!
He needed a surgery and didn't go. What a pity Mr. Petty!
justin4kick wrote:
So true!
Love Patti's version but I heard the Byrd's version for so many year before I heard hers that I'll always associate it with McGuinn and Hillman. This is a great cover too!
So true!
Love Patti's version but I heard the Byrd's version for so many year before I heard hers that I'll always associate it with McGuinn and Hillman. This is a great cover too!
Great version of this song!!!
RichW wrote:
This happened to me. I'm somewhat embarrassed that I missed his career.
Kinda, sorta, dittos. He was always in the background and there were a couple of songs ("The Last DJ" comes to mind) that I always loved to crank but he wasn't in my normal rotation. Embarrassing, yes. But not unforgivable. :-)
This happened to me. I'm somewhat embarrassed that I missed his career.
Kinda, sorta, dittos. He was always in the background and there were a couple of songs ("The Last DJ" comes to mind) that I always loved to crank but he wasn't in my normal rotation. Embarrassing, yes. But not unforgivable. :-)
Oxen1morale wrote:
This happened to me. I'm somewhat embarrassed that I missed his career.
The world mourns Tom Petty, funny how I never really got into him till after he was dead.
This happened to me. I'm somewhat embarrassed that I missed his career.
Ok, I guess, apart from the woeful guitar noodling.
The world mourns Tom Petty, funny how I never really got into him till after he was dead.
Always good to hear this track, but it's 'soft rock'. Listen to Nazareth play a tougher version on their album "Close enough for Rock'n'Roll" (1976), jeez that's pumpin'.
justin4kick wrote:
So true!
Disagree, have heard the Byrds original, Patti Smith’s version but this shades it just on the guitar breaks
So true!
Disagree, have heard the Byrds original, Patti Smith’s version but this shades it just on the guitar breaks
I hate bad remakes this is dreck
Love the insight of many of the comments around here.
AS for me when I learnt English I used to babble the closest syllables to Bobby McFerrin's 'don't worry be happy'.
Since then I loved so many kinds of music and skipped so many more. Reading these meaningful comments makes me reconsider many of my previous preferences.
AS for me when I learnt English I used to babble the closest syllables to Bobby McFerrin's 'don't worry be happy'.
Since then I loved so many kinds of music and skipped so many more. Reading these meaningful comments makes me reconsider many of my previous preferences.
I don't know why it is. I hear Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, I feel sad but move on. But when I hear this guy's voice I just lose it! Too soon, too soon.
kingart wrote:
It's the end of the era that carried on the era before it. Like this song. And others, and playing with McGuinn, Dylan, and whomever else he jammed, recorded and toured with that carried the unparalleled flame of the 60s - 70s.
well said..
It's the end of the era that carried on the era before it. Like this song. And others, and playing with McGuinn, Dylan, and whomever else he jammed, recorded and toured with that carried the unparalleled flame of the 60s - 70s.
well said..
Lazarus wrote:
It's the end of the era that carried on the era before it. Like this song. And others, and playing with McGuinn, Dylan, and whomever else he jammed, recorded and toured with that carried the unparalleled flame of the 60s - 70s.
It's the end of the era that carried on the era before it. Like this song. And others, and playing with McGuinn, Dylan, and whomever else he jammed, recorded and toured with that carried the unparalleled flame of the 60s - 70s.
I guess dying while doing something you love and are loved for is the way to go.
Matthann wrote:
Several years ago I saw TP/HBs with Pearl Jam as the opening act. Eddie came out near the end for a few songs on lead & backing vocals with the HBs, including this one. Maybe that's where he got the idea to cover it with Peal Jam. Awesome show btw.
Just saw TP/HBs with Joe Walsh as the opening act at Red Rocks here in Colorado. Another remarkable show!
Check out the Pearl Jam version
Several years ago I saw TP/HBs with Pearl Jam as the opening act. Eddie came out near the end for a few songs on lead & backing vocals with the HBs, including this one. Maybe that's where he got the idea to cover it with Peal Jam. Awesome show btw.
Just saw TP/HBs with Joe Walsh as the opening act at Red Rocks here in Colorado. Another remarkable show!
Check out the Pearl Jam version
Love it. Some mighty fine picking going on.
justin4kick wrote:
So, I guess you're saying when it comes to Byrds' covers, it's Patti > Petty?
I want to hear Patti do this song. Not Petty!
So, I guess you're saying when it comes to Byrds' covers, it's Patti > Petty?
I want to hear Patti do this song. Not Petty!
Revelation wrote:
I love the fact that RP appreciates and plays Tom Petty.
Me too.
good cover ! must be the rickenbacker
So you want to be a rock and roll star
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
Then take some time
And learn how to play
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
Then take some time
And learn how to play
Easy for them to say, when they already are.
Tom petty, Winwood, Lynn, Harrison Jr and the "artist formerly known as alive" Prince. Shred- While my guitar gently weeps on you tube.
i saw Tom Petty on Sat Nite Live in the 80's
and they performed live
i loved it but before that i never cared for their records
and they performed live
i loved it but before that i never cared for their records
kcar wrote:
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
So true!
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
So true!
A true homage from a true fan.
I love the fact that RP appreciates and plays Tom Petty.
kcar wrote:
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
this TP version kicks ass
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
this TP version kicks ass
Sasha2001 wrote:
Well, it's actually a Byrds song, a bitter rejoinder to the overnight stardom of bands like the Monkeys. Ironic, considering The Byrds also achieved overnight stardom after their cover of Tambourine Man by Dylan became a hit. (The internet! )
Petty's excellent guitar player, Mike Campbell, does some fine picking on this live version which, I'm guessing, is why Bill played this.
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
Well, it's actually a Byrds song, a bitter rejoinder to the overnight stardom of bands like the Monkeys. Ironic, considering The Byrds also achieved overnight stardom after their cover of Tambourine Man by Dylan became a hit. (The internet! )
Petty's excellent guitar player, Mike Campbell, does some fine picking on this live version which, I'm guessing, is why Bill played this.
The Byrds may have written this but Patti Smith owns it.
Love Will Tear Us Apart to a song about being torn apart by adoring fans. I see what you did there, Bill!
Until you've seen Tom Petty in concert you can't really appreciate him. Saw him, floor seats at Fenway last summer and was blown away.
Not good enough to be 9 minutes long. By 6 minutes I had to turn it down.
Stefen wrote:
Well, it's actually a Byrds song, a bitter rejoinder to the overnight stardom of bands like the Monkeys. Ironic, considering The Byrds also achieved overnight stardom after their cover of Tambourine Man by Dylan became a hit. (The internet! )
Petty's excellent guitar player, Mike Campbell, does some fine picking on this live version which, I'm guessing, is why Bill played this.
This is about the worst Tom Petty song I've ever heard.
Well, it's actually a Byrds song, a bitter rejoinder to the overnight stardom of bands like the Monkeys. Ironic, considering The Byrds also achieved overnight stardom after their cover of Tambourine Man by Dylan became a hit. (The internet! )
Petty's excellent guitar player, Mike Campbell, does some fine picking on this live version which, I'm guessing, is why Bill played this.
This is about the worst Tom Petty song I've ever heard.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Richard Marx?
Ricky Martin?
Randy Mantooth?
Robert Mitchum?
Roger McGuinn! You have heard of the Byrds, right?
Richard Marx?
Ricky Martin?
Randy Mantooth?
Robert Mitchum?
Roger McGuinn! You have heard of the Byrds, right?
Emwolb wrote:
Richard Marx?
Ricky Martin?
Randy Mantooth?
Robert Mitchum?
TP ain't no RM
Richard Marx?
Ricky Martin?
Randy Mantooth?
Robert Mitchum?
Always enjoyable to hear Tom Petty. The live version on Pack Up the Plantation is better with more energy. Of course it was recorded 28 years ago. I had a lot more energy 28 years ago also.
michaelmaersch wrote:
and now The Byrds! Right on Bill!
Most times your mix is 'On' Bill, sometimes not so much.
THIS afternoon you are TOTALLY On man. thx.
THIS afternoon you are TOTALLY On man. thx.
and now The Byrds! Right on Bill! TP ain't no RM
Never really cared for the song, but it's okay when this band does it.
Wow, fantastic follow on Elvis Costello. Keeping my ears happy.
The best of the best.
Most times your mix is 'On' Bill, sometimes not so much.
THIS afternoon you are TOTALLY On man. thx.
THIS afternoon you are TOTALLY On man. thx.