Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers #9: Songs and Music from "She's the One"

Release Date: August 6, 1996

Personnel: Tom Petty (vocals, guitar); Mike Campbell (guitars); Benmont Tench (piano, organ); Howie Epstein (bass)

Produced by Tom Petty; Mike Campbell; Rick Rubin

List of Tracks: Walls (Circus); Grew Up Fast; Zero from Outer Space; Climb That Hill; Change the Locks; Angel Dream (No. 4); Hope You Never; Asshole; Supernatural Radio; California; Hope on Board; Walls (No. 3); Angel Dream (No. 2); Hung Up and Overdue; Airport

When Indie filmmaker Edward Burns approached Tom Petty about writing some music for his film, She's the One, Petty went above and beyond by writing an entire album's worth of material. Some of the songs were originally recorded for Wildflowers. A rotating group of drummers were used for the soundtrack, including Ringo Starr on "Hung Up and Overdue."

"Walls" became the signature song for the film and became a minor hit during the summer of 1996. The sound recalls The Traveling Wilbury's, jangly rock with sincere (and direct) lyrics. "Grew Up Fast" is a moody rocker, effective and even epic in concept. "Zero from Outer Space" is both bluesy and melodic, reminiscent of Dylan's sound on Blonde on Blonde. Heavy guitars punctuate "Climb That Hill." Lucinda Williams wrote "Change the Locks," and the guitars are once again on fire along with Petty sounding like Lucinda. 

"Angel Dream (No. 4)" is a nice acoustic number with a string arrangement, clearly an outtake from Wildflowers. 'Hope You Never" is pleasantly mellow and achieves a chill vibe, "Asshole" does the same but with more sardonic lyrics. "Supernatural Radio" shifts back into epic rock mode; the band really lets loose. "California" is short and sweet. "Hope on Board" and "Airport" are short instrumentals. "Walls (No. 3)" is a reprise of the opening track in a more country rock style. "Angel Dream (No. 2)" is another reprise with a double tracked vocal. "Hung Up and Overdue" has the makings of a McCartney ballad - steady, melodic, and chilled out. Ringo's drumming adds to the Beatles ambience!

Songs and Music from "She's the One" might be an easy one to overlook in Petty's catalog, but it's full of great stuff. It strikes a pleasing balance between Petty's more introspective songwriting on Wildflowers while letting the Heartbreakers rock out. The album was reissued in 2021 as Angel Dream with an alternative track list.