Quotes from Tom Petty

I didn't think you could just become a rock and roll singer.

My hours get kinda backwards. Most of the time, we're basing out of one town, flying out, doing the show, then flying back. And it's a pace that no one would believe, really. Unless you've done it, you really can't understand what it is. And if you're not really experienced and know how to do it, you will fall.

When you get older, your health becomes important to you, things start breaking down, you've always got a different ache or pain.

Do something you really like, and hopefully it pays the rent. As far as I'm concerned, that's success.

I've never had any idea that what I like would resonate with the audience, and I'm pleasantly surprised when it does.

The music has to be affordable. It's the common man that keeps it going, and if you price it out of his realm, it becomes a thing of the elite.

I like making money like anybody else, and I'm paid well, but I think there is a point at which you can out-price your audience or your base.

I want to be successful. Not just money. Just making a successful record and a successful show... I could feel successful without selling a million records.

Every verse a diamond, every chorus gold, the sound was my salvation. It was only everything, before money became king.

Music really isn't supposed to be perfect. It's all about people relating to each other and doing something that's really from the soul. It must come from the soul.

Excuse me if I have/some place in my mind/where I go time to time.

I'm always having fun. Playing is fun. Music is fun.

The music business looks like, you know, innocent schoolboys compared to the TV business. They care about nothing but profit.

There goes your freedom of choice, there goes the last human voice.

Take back your insurance, baby, nothing is guaranteed. Take back your acid rain, let your TV bleed.

God, it's so painful when something that's so close is still so far out of reach.

I like a good beer. Of course, I'll drink a bad one too. Let no person thirst for lack of real ale! Thank god for long-necked bottles, the angel's remedy.

I should have known right then it was too good to last, God, it's such a drag when you're livin' in the past

So I started out for God knows where. I guess I'll know when I get there.

Yeah and it's over before you know it It all goes by so fast Yeah the bad nights take forever And the good nights don't ever seem to last

She's a good girl, crazy about Elvis, loves horses, and her boyfriend, too.

'Free Fallin'' is a very good song. Maybe it would be one of my favorites if it hadn't become this huge anthem. But I'm grateful that people like it.

I ain't really sure, but it seems I remember the good times

I think watching the TV news is bad for you. It is bad for your physical health and your mental health.