There are many reasons why Tom Petty is classed as one of the definitive legends of rock ‘n’ roll. Whether that be his anthemic songs, bravery in standing up to big business, or the fact that he kept his feet planted firmly on the ground despite experiencing the intoxicating summit of success, his legacy is a glittering one. He might have long since passed away, but he remains an exemplary figure.
Another reason Petty’s spirit lives on is through the classic songs he gifted to fellow musicians. While one of the most life-affirming for him was ‘King of the Hill’, which he gave to Byrds legend and longtime hero, Roger McGuinn, perhaps the most famous instance is ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’, which was the first single from Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks’ debut solo album, 1981’s Bella Donna.
While the album was a tremendous success, and resoundingly showed that Nicks could do it alone without her longtime band, there’s no doubt it wouldn’t have been such a success if she wasn’t given a helping hand by fellow stars such as Petty and his Heartbreakers bandmate, Mike Campbell, as well as others such as Eagles’ Don Henley and E-Street Band member Roy Bittan.
Of course, thanks to School of Rock, Bella Donna is best remembered for the hit single ‘Edge of Seventeen’, a Nicks original, however, another absolute staple from the body of work is ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’.
Famously, the lyrics tell the tale of a woman who feels burdened by her relationship, despite the sentimental bond she has to her lover, which can be taken as a less than implicit analogy concerning how she was feeling about Fleetwood Mac at the time.
‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’ was a song that I had written the music and Tom had written the words,” Campbell explained to Songfacts in 2003. “The Heartbreakers had recorded a version of it with Jimmy Iovine, and Jimmy being the entrepreneur that he was, he was working with Stevie, and I guess he asked Tom if she could try it, and it just developed from there. We cut the track as a Heartbreakers record, and when she decided to do it, we used that track, and she came in and sang over it. It became a duet. It’s basically all the Heartbreakers on that record.”
Although the song would become a huge success, and a fan-favourite of Nicks’, due to her recent experiences in Fleetwood Mac, at first, she was unwilling to work with Petty and Campbell. Her solo album was meant to be hers and hers only she thought, which led her to storm out of the studio when Iovine first suggested working with the pair. However, she soon realised what a golden opportunity it was.
Editors’ Picks
- 1980s Music
- Bella Donna
- Classic Rock
- Fleetwood Mac
- Heartbreakers
- Jimmy Iovine
- Mike Campbell
- Stevie Nicks
- Stop Draggin My Heart Around
- Tom Petty
