FLASHBACK: Tom Petty Teaches Lyrics Workshop on ‘The Simpsons’

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

August 15th, 2020 8:00 AM

The Simpsons have had its share of guest stars from the rock world, but no other episode was quite as packed as season 14/episode 2’s “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation.”

The episode centered around Homer attending an epic Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp that featured Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Lenny Kravitz, Brian Setzer and the late Tom Petty.

Petty’s Facebook page shared a clip from the episode this week where he was teaching a lyrics workshop at the camp. Embedded below, Homer and the other campers didn’t seem too interested in writing meaningful lyrics, much to Petty’s dismay. However, that didn’t stop him from trying to pen a fun rock song that also focused on “the state of public schools.”

‘Full Moon Fever’: Every Song Ranked

• 12. “Alright For Now”

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  If you're looking for evidence as to just how great 'Full Moon Fever' is, "Alright For Now" kicks off this list. (Sorry! Something had to rank 12th!) A two-minute acoustic tune, it's beautiful in its simplicity and earnestness.

• 11. “Depending on You”

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  A straight-forward love song, "Depending On You" cuts right to the chase: Stop trying to change yourself for other people! You're pretty great already!

• 10. “The Apartment Song”

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  There's not a lot to "The Apartment Song," but its infectious, jaunty nature is absolutely undeniable. After one listen, it'll likely get stuck in your head, and that certainly isn't a bad thing.
• 9. “A Mind with a Heart of its Own”

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  Holy Bo Diddley, Batman! Between the energetic Diddley-inspired riff and the hooky chorus, perhaps "A Mind with a Heart of its Own" is the most underrated earworm of 'Full Moon Fever.' (No offense to the previously mentioned "The Apartment Song.")

• 8. “Zombie Zoo”

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  Delightfully tongue in cheek, "Zombie Zoo" has a little fun at the expense of goths. Even those who went through a goth phase in all its pale, black eyeliner glory have to admit this song's pretty on-point. Roy Orbison providing backing vocals doesn't hurt either.

• 7. “Feel a Whole Lot Better”

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  A cover of The Byrds "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," this track kicks off side two of the LP/cassette version of 'Full Moon Fever.' Those listening to the album were drolly greeted with this information via the hidden track "Hello, CD listeners..." The backing vocals on this track come via Jeff Lynne, and they are just sublime.
• 6. “A Face in the Crowd”

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  "A Face in the Crowd" poignantly demonstrates how love can seemingly come out of nowhere. Or, in the case of its lyrics, "Out of a dream, out of the sky. Into my heart, into my life"

• 5. “Yer So Bad”

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  Easily the darkest song on the album, "Yer So Bad" tells the common tale of the aftermath of divorce. Of course, the tale is told from the perspective of a brother whose sister "married a yuppie" and "took him for all he was worth." Good thing the brother has someone to save him and is the "best thing I ever had."

• 4. “Love Is a Long Road”

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  Ever given a relationship chance after chance to get better only to realize that you just need to get out? "Love Is a Long Road" is the perfect soundtrack for that situation.
• 3. “Free Fallin'”

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  Petty said in an interview with 'Billboard' "...really just to amuse Jeff, honestly, I just sang that first verse. Then he starts laughing. Honestly, I thought I was just amusing Jeff but then I got to the chorus of the song and he leaned over to me and said the word, ‘freefalling.’" And that's how Petty's highest-charting hit was born!

• 2. “I Won’t Back Down”

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  Of all of the running themes in rock and roll over its decades-long existence, defiance and rebellion are certainly among the most beloved. With "I Won't Back Down," those themes are front and center, and thirty years later, the song continues to be one of the greatest anthems of all time.

• 1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream”

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  From its open riff to the fading out guitar solo, "Runnin' Down a Dream" is 4:23 of rock and roll perfection on an album packed with incredible songs. Co-written by Petty, Lynne and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, "Runnin' Down A Dream" might just be one of the simplest and yet most profound allegory about life itself. All of us have hopes and dreams, and every single day, we get a chance to work on that mystery and go wherever it leads to make them happen. If you by chance have Del Shannon's "Runaway" playing as all of this is going down, consider it a bonus.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music
• Music News
• WJBR

Tags:

The Simpsons,Tom Petty