3 Songs That Sound Like Tom Petty but Actually Aren’t

Tom Petty defined a quintessential American sound. He was both easygoing like a breeze and urgent like a siren. Listening to him was like taking your Chevy out for a drive through the heartland. He was inspiring—so much so that many even tried to be like him, musically.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that exemplify that. A trio of tracks from artists who sound like Petty—perhaps a bit too much. Indeed, these are three songs that sound like Tom Petty but actually aren’t.

[RELATED: Just a Song Before We Go: What Was the Last U.S. Top-40 Hit by Tom Petty?]

“867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone from Tommy Tutone 2 (1981)

While this song is a hit on it’s own—we all know that numerical chorus by heart—there is something about the chunky, melodic guitar and happy singing style the band performs with that makes this tune mistakable for Tom Petty. Especially in the song’s second verse. And on the offering, lead vocalist Alex Call sings,

Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine

Jenny Jenny you’re the girl for me
Oh, you don’t know me but you make me so happy
I tried to call you before but I lost my nerve
I tried my imagination but I was disturbed

Jenny I’ve got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny don’t change your number

“The Breakup Song” by Greg Kihn Band from RocKihnRoll (1981)

Another song from 1981 that sounds like it was impacted in a major way by Petty, this song features a driving rhythm and a confident, hopeful singing performance. That song sounds like it was written by Petty and sent over to Greg Kihn and company. And on the jangly ’80s rocker, Kihn sings,

Now I wind up staring at an empty glass
Uh uh uh, uh uh uh uh uh
Cause its so easy to say that you’ll forget your past
Uh uh uh, uh uh uh uh uh

They don’t write ’em like that anymore, no!
They just don’t write ’em like that anymore

“Black River Killer” by Blitzen Trapper from Black River Killer (2009)

We jump from 1981 to 2009, proving that Petty’s influence ran far and wide. This acoustic-driven song from the album of the same name features smoky vocals and storytelling lyrics. It sounds like it could be a B-side from some Petty bootleg redone with a bit of modern production. If we found out Blitzen Trapper was a long-lost relative of Petty’s, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised. And either way, on this song he croons,

It was dark as the grave, it was just about three
When the warden with his key came to set me free
They gave me five dollars and a second-hand suit
A pistol and a hat and a worn out flute

So I took a bus down to the Rio Grande
And I shot a man down on the edge of town
Then I stole me a horse and I rode it around
‘Til the sheriff pulled me in and sat me down

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