Free Fallin'
Encyclopedia
"Free Fallin'" is the opening track from Tom Petty
's 1989 solo album, Full Moon Fever
. The song was written by Petty and his writing partner for the album, Jeff Lynne
(and also features Lynne on backing vocals). The duo wrote and recorded the single in two days, making it the first song completed for Full Moon Fever.
"Free Fallin'" is one of Petty's most famous tracks, as well as his longest charter. Petty and The Heartbreakers performed the song at the MTV Video Music Awards
in 1989 with Axl Rose
and at the February 2008 Super Bowl XLII Halftime Show. The song is ranked #177 on the Rolling Stone
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was featured in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire
.
area appear in the lyrics of the song, including:
's Album Rock Tracks chart the week ending August 26, 1989 and spent 33 weeks on the chart, making it Petty's longest charting track. The single peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100
in January, 1990
. Later in 2008, "Free Fallin'" made a brief appearance in the Ireland Singles Top 50, hitting #49.
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
's 1989 solo album, Full Moon Fever
Full Moon Fever
Full Moon Fever is the first solo album by Tom Petty, though it features contributions from several members of his backing band, the Heartbreakers, along with fellow members of the Traveling Wilburys. The record shows Petty exploring his musical roots with nods to his influences...
. The song was written by Petty and his writing partner for the album, Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
(and also features Lynne on backing vocals). The duo wrote and recorded the single in two days, making it the first song completed for Full Moon Fever.
"Free Fallin'" is one of Petty's most famous tracks, as well as his longest charter. Petty and The Heartbreakers performed the song at the MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
in 1989 with Axl Rose
Axl Rose
W. Axl Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the lead vocalist and only remaining original member of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he enjoyed great success and recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disappearing from the public eye for several years...
and at the February 2008 Super Bowl XLII Halftime Show. The song is ranked #177 on the Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was featured in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
.
Los Angeles-area references
References to the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area appear in the lyrics of the song, including:
- "Mulholland" – a reference to Mulholland DriveMulholland DriveMulholland Drive is a street and road in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California. It is named after Los Angeles pioneer civil engineer William Mulholland...
, an arterial road which traverses the San Fernando Valley, in the vicinity of Bel Air and the Hollywood HillsHollywood HillsThe Hollywood Hills is an affluent and exclusive neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, in the southeastern Santa Monica Mountains. It is bound by Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west, Vermont Avenue to the east, Mulholland Drive to the north, and Sunset Boulevard to the south.-Hollywood Hills... - ResedaReseda, Los Angeles, CaliforniaReseda is a San Fernando Valley district in the city of Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Reseda was originally inhabited by Native Americans of the Tongva tribe that lived close to the Los Angeles River....
– the song mentions a freeway in the backyard of the subject's house, referring to the 101 "Hollywood" freeway, which has an exit for Reseda Boulevard, in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles - "The Valley" – the San Fernando ValleySan Fernando ValleyThe San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, in which Reseda is located - Ventura BoulevardVentura BoulevardVentura Boulevard is one of the primary east–west thouroughfares in the San Fernando Valley, USA; as it was originally a part of the El Camino Real , Ventura Boulevard is one of the oldest routes in the San Fernando Valley. It was also U.S...
– a primary east-west thoroughfare in the San Fernando Valley
Track listings
Chart History
The song topped BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Album Rock Tracks chart the week ending August 26, 1989 and spent 33 weeks on the chart, making it Petty's longest charting track. The single peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in January, 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
. Later in 2008, "Free Fallin'" made a brief appearance in the Ireland Singles Top 50, hitting #49.
Peak positions
| Chart (1989/90) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
61 |
| Canadian Singles Chart RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
5 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
4 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
64 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 1 |
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
49 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 64 |
Cover versions
- In 1993 In the film The FirmThe FirmA firm is a business.Firm or The Firm may also refer to:-Organizations:* Hooligan firm, a group of unruly football fans* The Firm, Inc., a talent management company* Fair Immigration Reform Movement...
, Tom CruiseTom CruiseThomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
sings along in the car. - In 1998 Stevie NicksStevie NicksStephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
did a studio cover on her album EnchantedEnchanted (Stevie Nicks album)-Disc 2:-Disc 3:-Charts:Album - Billboard...
. - In 1999 Deana CarterDeana CarterDeana Carter is a country music artist who broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million...
sang a version of the song that played in the Season 3 finale's ending credits of Mike JudgeMike JudgeMichael Craig Judge is an American animator, film director, writer and voice actor, best known as the creator and star of the animated television series Beavis and Butt-head , King of the Hill , and The Goode Family .He also wrote, directed and in some instances produced the films Beavis and...
's animated comedy King of The HillKing of the HillKing of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
that aired on May 14, 1999. This version was later included on the series soundtrack which was released later that year. - In 2001 the Kings of ConvenienceKings of ConvenienceKings of Convenience are an indie folk-pop duo from Bergen, Norway. Consisting of Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe, the musical group is known for their delicate tunes, calming voices, and intricate and subtle guitar melodies...
EP Failure includes a live version of "Free Fallin'". - In 2002 YG Family's 97-YG-02 album includes a Korean version of "Free Fallin'".
- In 2003 Tony HadleyTony HadleyTony Hadley is an English pop singer-songwriter, occasional stage actor and radio presenter who gained celebrity as the lead vocalist for the 1980s band Spandau Ballet.-Early life:...
, lead singer of new romantic band Spandau BalletSpandau BalletSpandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
, released a cover of "Free Fallin" on his compilation True Ballads. - In 2005 Keith UrbanKeith UrbanKeith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
's live cover appears on his DVD Livin' Right Now. - In 2006 rapper Pimp CPimp CChad Lamont Butler , better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer...
sampled the song for "I'm Free," off his album PimpalationPimpalationPimpalation is the second solo album by Pimp C released on July 11, 2006."I'm Free," featuring a sample of Free Fallin' by Tom Petty, is the first single from the album. Rolling Stone voted the single one of the year's best, placing it at #80 on its Top 100 list...
. - In 2008 American singer-songwriterSinger-songwriterSinger-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
John MayerJohn MayerJohn Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
included a live cover version of "Free Fallin'" on his live album/DVD Where the Light IsWhere the Light Is-Personnel:MusiciansAll sets:*John Mayer – lead vocals, guitar, production and Joe Garrett CartwrightJohn Mayer Trio set:*Steve Jordan – drums, backing vocals, production*Pino Palladino – bassJohn Mayer band set:...
. - In 2008 in Episode 119 – "Triple Threat" of Cold Case, the song was covered with the second verse replaced with "Va Pensiero" from Verdi's NabuccoNabuccoNabucco is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the Biblical story and the 1836 play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornue...
, sung in ItalianItalian languageItalian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
by Russian singer-songwriter Elena SatineElena SatineElena Marié Satine is an American film actress and singer.-Early life:Elena Satine was born on November 24, 1987 in Tbilisi, Georgia and raised on the Black Sea Coast of the Russian Riviera. She is a descendant of Georgian Nobility, "House of Orbeliani" and a classically trained pianist...
. - In 2008 the song was covered by German singer/songwriter Willer on his album The Only Way.
- In 2009 ChamillionaireChamillionaireHakeem Seriki , better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire is also the founder and an original member of The Color Changin' Click...
sampled the song for his track "Good MorningGood Morning (Chamillionaire song)"Good Morning" is the first official single off Chamillionaire's third studio album, Venom. It was produced by DJ Frank E and was released digitally on October 13, 2009. The single debuted and peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and a video for the single was released on November...
". - In 2009 Ben RectorBen RectorBen Rector is an American musician now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Rector's stylistic influences include pop, rock, and folk music.-Biography:...
covered the song for his album Into the Morning. - In 2009 Jonas BrothersJonas BrothersThe Jonas Brothers are an American boy band. The band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel children's television network. From the shore region of New Jersey, the band consists of three brothers: Paul Kevin Jonas II , Joseph Adam Jonas , and Nicholas Jerry Jonas...
did a cover of it at the Ryman AuditoriumRyman AuditoriumThe Ryman Auditorium is a 2,362-seat live performance venue, located at 115 5th Avenue North, in Nashville, Tennessee and is best known as the historic home of the Grand Ole Opry....
in Nashville. - In 2010 the alternative rock band The AlmostThe AlmostThe Almost is an American alternative rock band from Clearwater, Florida, formed in 2005, and is most notable for being the side project of former Underoath drummer, Aaron Gillespie.-History:...
recorded a cover for the compilation Punk Goes Classic RockPunk Goes Classic RockPunk Goes Classic Rock is the ninth album in the Punk Goes... series, released by Fearless Records. It was released on April 27, 2010. This also features Your Love by The Outfield for the second time to be covered. And also has a Bonus Sampler CD with it...
. - Since 2010 Three Days GraceThree Days GraceThree Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
has been playing a cover of this song on their tour. - In 2011, Umphrey's McgeeUmphrey's McGeeUmphrey's McGee is an American progressive rock jam band based in Chicago whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" ....
covered this song in Ashbury Park, NJ