You Wreck Me by Tom Petty

Album: Wildflowers (1994)

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Songfacts®:

As explained in a Songfacts interview with Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, Tom Petty wrote this as "You Rock Me." The band thought the title was a little ordinary and a lot cliché, but they liked the track so they recorded it and lived with it despite the title. One day Petty got the idea to change it to "You Wreck Me." Replacing one word made the song take on a whole new meaning. Campbell is credited as a songwriter on the track along with Petty.
"You Wreck Me" was the second single from Tom Petty's Wildflowers album, following "You Don't Know How It Feels." It's a solo album, but the Heartbreakers all played on it and Mike Campbell co-produced it along with Rick Rubin.

Petty first released a solo album in 1989 with Full Moon Fever, which also featured some Heartbreakers and was co-produced by Campbell. At that time, he was also active with the Traveling Wilburys, where his bandmates were Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.

As you've probably deduced, Petty was quite prolific; the Wildflowers sessions ended up with a surplus of songs. The ones that didn't make the album were included on the 2020 reissue Wildflowers & All The Rest.

Comments: 9

Rod from Australia Mike Campbell Wrecks n Wrocks, one of the most diverse, entertaining and talented guitarists I've ever seen... And I've seen alot.
Heinekenpete from Cape Cod, Ma...to all musicians out there, help clarify something for me, about the ending specifically. I play bass and suggested this song to our garage band (instead of "Free Falling"). After running through it, our band leader said I was playing the ending wrong. We agreed that it's 4-bars long. But he & the drummer INSIST there's only ONE quarter note being played at the end of each of those bars. I say no, they're playing "da-da-da-da", (which to me really this a kick-ass ending). I looked this song up live on YouTube and sent them both links to three different concerts proving I was right, but they've dig their heels in & refuse to budge. And opinions out there, (other than find a new band)?
Paul from Rothesay, Nb, NbHey John. Please realise that in 1989, "You Wreck Me" would have been one of those "from the new album" garbage songs you're speaking of. Petty trying out new songs live and people liking them because they're good tunes, is what rock & roll is all about.
John from Grand Island, NyHey Jose from Lodi NJ, of course he plays it at every concert because people want to hear it. Petty is one of the only guys who plays what WE want to hear not that "from the new album" garbage. This is what rock n roll is about.
Daevid from Glendale, CaPetty has written so many good songs, this one among the best.
Jenny from North Vernon, Inthis happens to be one of my favorites.
& prolly is for a lot of other ppl.
maybe thats why he does it at EVERY concert.
..or maybe its jus to annoy YOU.
ha.
Jose from Lodi, NjProbably one of the lamest tunes Petty ever penned.

And he does it at EVERY concert...just an annoying song.
Michael from Nf, CanadaYet another great song from Petty.
Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Flgood song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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