About the song
Few artists have captured the essence of American storytelling in rock music quite like Tom Petty. With his signature drawl, jangly guitar sound, and knack for crafting narratives that feel both personal and universal, Petty built a career that resonated across generations. One of his most evocative and cinematic songs, “Into the Great Wide Open,” serves as a bittersweet anthem about ambition, fame, and the disillusionment that often follows. Released in 1991 as the title track of the album Into the Great Wide Open, the song tells the story of a young dreamer chasing success in the music industry, only to find himself lost in the very world he longed to be part of.
Release and Album Context
“Into the Great Wide Open” was released in July 1991 as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ eighth studio album, Into the Great Wide Open. The record marked a significant moment in Petty’s career, as it was his second album produced with Jeff Lynne, following the massive success of Petty’s 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever. Lynne, known for his work with Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and as a member of The Traveling Wilburys (which included Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison), brought a lush, polished sound to the album, complementing Petty’s raw storytelling.
Although the album featured other notable tracks like “Learning to Fly” and “Kings Highway,” it was “Into the Great Wide Open” that stood out as a classic example of Petty’s ability to blend folk-style storytelling with rock sensibilities. The song was released as a single in September 1991, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and earning a dedicated place in Petty’s live performances for years to come.
Meaning and Storytelling
At its heart, “Into the Great Wide Open” is a cautionary tale about youthful dreams and the harsh realities of the music business. The lyrics follow Eddie, a small-town kid with “a roadie’s coat and a head full of dreams,” who moves to Los Angeles in pursuit of stardom. He experiences early success, gets signed to a record deal, and becomes a rising star, but as the song unfolds, it becomes clear that fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The chorus—
“Into the great wide open,
Under them skies of blue,
Out in the great wide open,
A rebel without a clue.”
—captures the romanticism of chasing dreams, but also hints at Eddie’s ultimate downfall. The phrase “a rebel without a clue” suggests that, despite his ambition, Eddie is ill-prepared for the cutthroat industry he’s stepped into. As the story progresses, he becomes entangled in the excesses of fame, ultimately falling into the same traps that many before him have faced.
The song’s narrative structure, combined with Petty’s dry, observational tone, makes it both an anthem for dreamers and a warning about the price of success.
The Iconic Music Video
One of the most memorable aspects of “Into the Great Wide Open” is its cinematic music video, directed by Julien Temple. The video starred Johnny Depp as Eddie, with appearances from Faye Dunaway and Gabrielle Anwar, making it feel almost like a mini-movie. Depp portrays Eddie’s rise and fall, embodying the young hopeful musician who eventually becomes lost in the excess of rock and roll. Petty himself plays multiple roles in the video, including a narrator-like presence and a record executive, further emphasizing the cyclical nature of the music business.
Impact and Legacy
Even though “Into the Great Wide Open” wasn’t one of Tom Petty’s biggest chart hits, it remains one of his most beloved songs due to its storytelling depth and relatable themes. The song resonated with aspiring musicians, dreamers, and anyone who has ever reached for something greater, only to find that reality is far different from expectation.
More than three decades later, the song remains relevant, particularly in an age where fame and artistic ambition continue to be shaped by commercial pressures, fleeting success, and the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry. It stands as a testament to Petty’s ability to write songs that feel timeless, and it continues to be a fan favorite, often played in retrospectives of his legendary career.
Final Thoughts
“Into the Great Wide Open” is more than just a song—it’s a parable about the American dream, filled with hope, excitement, and an underlying sadness that lingers long after the final chords fade. Tom Petty had a gift for crafting songs that felt both deeply personal and universally resonant, and this track is a perfect example of that magic. Whether you listen to it as a rock and roll fable, a cautionary tale, or simply a beautifully crafted piece of music, it remains a shining example of Petty’s storytelling genius and a song that continues to speak to dreamers everywhere.
Video
Lyrics
Eddie waited ’til he finished high schoolHe went to Hollywood, got a tattooHe met a girl out there with a tattoo tooThe future was wide openThey moved into a place they both could affordHe found a nightclub, he could work at the doorShe had a guitar and she taught him some chordsThe sky was the limitInto the great wide openUnder them skies of blueOut in the great wide openA rebel without a clueThe papers said Ed always played from the heartHe got an agent and a roadie named BartThey made a record, and it went in the chartsThe sky was the limitHis leather jacket had chains that would jingleThey both met movie stars, partied and mingledTheir A&R man said, “I don’t hear a single”The future was wide openInto the great wide openUnder them skies of blueOut in the great wide openA rebel without a clueInto the great wide openUnder them skies of blueInto the great wide openA rebel without a clue