Ranking all 16 of Tom Petty’s album closing songs, Ultimate Classic Rock has placed the iconic 1976 track “American Girl” at the very top of the list, celebrating how the final track leaves a lasting impression that makes listeners want to spin the record all over again.
Tom Petty always prioritized the song itself over studio bells and whistles. As he told Rolling Stone in 2013, having the best band in the world meant nothing without strong material, noting that you cannot chrome a turd. Beyond writing the tracks, the meticulous process of sequencing a full-length record required choosing a final song that would properly cap off the journey.
Essential Takeaways From the Catalog Ranking
- The Top Spot: “American Girl” from 1976’s Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers takes the number one position due to its iconic ending riff, call-and-response chorus, and classic fade-out.
- The Bottom Placement: The instrumental piano piece “Airport” from the 1996 movie soundtrack Songs and Music From the Motion Picture “She’s the One” lands at number 16.
- Artist Regrets: Petty famously expressed regret over including “Zombie Zoo” at the end of 1989’s Full Moon Fever, wishing he had chosen better unreleased material instead.
How the Lower Tier Tracks Shape the Albums
At the bottom of the ranking sits “Airport,” functioning uniquely as a film soundtrack closer rather than a traditional album track. Right above it is “Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough)” from the 1987 co-write with guitarist Mike Campbell, bringing a messy, Stones-esque rock energy to the finish line. Moving further up, 2014’s “Shadow People” from Hypnotic Eye reflects Petty’s concerns regarding an increasingly combative America. He explained to Billboard at the time that the track targets what feels missing from humanity, noting a disappearing level of care for other people.
The slow-burning blues track “Good Enough” closed out 2010’s Mojo as both its final song and first single, establishing the mood of that specific record. Meanwhile, 1978’s “Baby’s a Rock ‘n’ Roller” from You’re Gonna Get It! represented a track Petty initially dismissed as a cheap throwaway before it grew on him over time. Further up the list, the 1989 solo project Full Moon Fever concluded with “Zombie Zoo,” featuring backing vocals from Roy Orbison. Despite its star power, Petty admitted to Rolling Stone in 2017 that he could not understand how it made the record over superior outtakes, calling the project nearly perfect until that final inclusion.
Petty Slowed Down Older Songs for Acoustic Moods
As the sequencing reaches the middle rankings, tracks like 1999’s “One More Day, One More Night” from Echo highlight classic songwriting mechanics paired with bittersweet lyrics about independence. Originally conceived as a skiffle tune, Petty slowed it down significantly to suit the mood of the record. Similarly, 2006’s “The Golden Rose” served as the gentle conclusion to Highway Companion, his third and last solo album, acting like drifting off to a blissful sleep after a sequence of harder rockers. Dating back earlier to 1979’s Damn the Torpedoes, “Louisiana Rain” emerged as a loping, confident ballad written during Petty’s Mudcrutch days, overcoming an eclectic opening sound.
Emotional weight defines several mid-to-high entries. Long-time guitarist Mike Campbell pointed out in a 2024 interview with Goldmine that 1982’s “A Wasted Life” from Long After Dark stood out as a downbeat love song written entirely by Petty. Meanwhile, “Can’t Stop the Sun” from 2002’s The Last DJ originated from a core guitar lick and initial lyrics by Campbell before Petty stepped in to rewrite the verses.
The Emotional Peaks of the Catalog
Ultimately, the top ranking remains undisturbed with “American Girl,” which for years served as the Heartbreakers’ set-closer and holds its place as the definitive Petty album closer.
| Song Title | Parent Album | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| “American Girl” | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | 1976 |
| “You Can Still Change Your Mind” | Hard Promises | 1981 |
| “Wake Up Time” | Wildflowers | 1994 |
| “Built to Last” | Into the Great Wide Open | 1991 |
