It’s unknown if the song’s title is a reference to The Wild One, László Benedek’s 1953 film starring Marlon Brando, but Petty aptly opens the song with a very film-esque description: “The moon sank as the wind blew, and the streetlights slowly died.” It’s in this approaching morning that he introduces the eponymous wild one, a girl that he was warned to “stay away from she could love no one if she tried.” Of course, he’s not going to have any of it in another fantastic and passionate early vocal performance, Petty describes why he didn’t heed the warning:

“The Wild One, Forever” was his first, and it is simultaneously one of his greatest love songs and one of his most heartbreaking. “Come on man, everybody loves Tom Petty and burritos” - Marc MaronTom Petty has written his fair share of songs about mysterious women: “Magnolia,” “Shadow of a Doubt (A Complex Kid)” and “A Thing About You” are just a few notable ones. That I can still hear each nuance of his voice on those twelve tracks and that I still think the pause he inserts for CD listeners to wait while those listening on tape or vinyl turn the record is endearing. I could tell you that the first extended encounter I had with him was a taped copy of Full Moon Fever made from a friend’s CD, which I promptly wore out. I am quite certain that I am not going to crack this riddle that the entire corps of music reporters has collectively engaged over the past few days.

I don’t even really know how to begin talking about what Tom Petty has meant to music in general or me in particular. His words have rung true in last couple of days since Petty’s untimely passing – everyone seems to be feeling this particular loss. “Come on man, everybody loves Tom Petty and burritos” – Marc MaronĮarly in his latest comedy special, Marc Maron speculates about some of the common interests that might get us through our current political strife –Tom Petty was at the front of the very short list (even though Maron admits Petty might not be enough).

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