Tom Petty - Free Fallin'

'Free Fallin'' is the opening track on Tom Petty's debut solo album, Full Moon Fever, which was released in 1989. Although it was a solo project, it heavily featured his bandmates from the Heartbreakers, most notably Mike Campbell. The album was co-produced by ELO's Jeff Lynne.

The song was co-written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, who collaborated extensively throughout the late 1980s. Lynne helped Petty strip down the arrangements, leading to the iconic, chiming acoustic sound. The writing process reportedly took just two days while they were working on the Full Moon Fever album.

The lyrics famously mention geographical locations in the San Fernando Valley, including Reseda, Ventura Boulevard, and Mulholland. Petty wrote these lyrics as a wistful tribute to the Los Angeles area he called home. The imagery perfectly captured the sprawling, suburban vibe of Southern California.

While it is one of Petty's most successful songs, 'Free Fallin'' peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It performed even better on the Mainstream Rock charts, where it reached the top spot. It remains his highest-charting solo single.