Studio Album · No. 8
Full Moon Fever Songwriting Credits by Tom Petty
Produced by Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell · Engineered by Don Smith, Bill Bottrell, Dennis Kirk
MCA Records
Heartland RockRoots RockRock
92%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 11 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 12 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Tom Petty carries a lyricist or composer credit.
11 trackswritten by Tom Petty
1 trackoutside writers
Tom Petty's roles on this album
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist92%
Composer92%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
12
Tracks
4
Lyricists
3
Producers
1989
Released
Awards & Recognition 1
Grammy Hall of Fame (2019, Inducted)
Data Insight
Full Moon Fever was Tom Petty's first solo album, recorded largely without the full Heartbreakers though guitarist Mike Campbell remained central. Petty co-produced the record with Jeff Lynne of ELO, who also co-wrote most of the material, including 'Free Fallin',' 'I Won't Back Down,' 'A Face in the Crowd,' and 'Yer So Bad'; 'Runnin' Down a Dream' adds Mike Campbell as a third writer. The sessions overlapped with the first Traveling Wilburys album, the supergroup of Petty, Lynne, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison, and Lynne, Harrison, and Orbison all appear on Full Moon Fever. Lynne's polished, melodic production became the defining sound of Petty's biggest-selling album.
Tom Petty's first solo album, produced by Jeff Lynne with contributions from George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and fellow Traveling Wilburys members. Contains 'Free Fallin'' and 'I Won't Back Down.'
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Free Fallin'
#7
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
I Won't Back Down
#12
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | George Harrison |
| 3 |
Love Is a Long Road
|
Tom PettyMike Campbell | Thomas Earl PettyMichael Wayne Campbell | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
A Face in the Crowd
#46
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Runnin' Down a Dream
#23
|
Tom PettyJeff LynneMike Campbell | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey LynneMichael Wayne Campbell | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Feel a Whole Lot Better
|
Gene Clark | Harold Eugene Clark | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Yer So Bad
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Depending on You
|
Tom Petty | Thomas Earl Petty | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
The Apartment Song
|
Tom Petty | Thomas Earl Petty | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Alright for Now
|
Tom Petty | Thomas Earl Petty | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
A Mind with a Heart of Its Own
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Tom Petty (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Zombie Zoo
|
Tom PettyJeff Lynne | Thomas Earl PettyJeffrey Lynne | Jeff LynneTom PettyMike Campbell | Roy Orbison |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors
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87%
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100%
Echo
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100%
The Last DJ
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Highway Companion
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Mojo
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Hypnotic Eye
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Frequently Asked Questions Full Moon Fever
Is Full Moon Fever a Tom Petty solo album?
Yes. Full Moon Fever, released in 1989, was Tom Petty's first solo album, made without the full Heartbreakers. Guitarist Mike Campbell still played a central role, but the record was credited to Petty alone rather than to the band.
How was Jeff Lynne involved in Full Moon Fever?
Jeff Lynne of ELO co-produced Full Moon Fever with Tom Petty and Mike Campbell, and he co-wrote most of the album's songs. Lynne shares writing credit on 'Free Fallin',' 'I Won't Back Down,' 'Runnin' Down a Dream,' 'A Face in the Crowd,' and 'Yer So Bad,' among others. His clean, layered production shaped the album's signature sound.
Who wrote Free Fallin'?
'Free Fallin'' was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. It became the album's biggest hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remains one of Petty's most recognizable songs.
What is the connection between Full Moon Fever and the Traveling Wilburys?
Recording of Full Moon Fever overlapped with the first Traveling Wilburys album, the supergroup featuring Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. Three of the Wilburys, Lynne, Harrison, and Orbison, appear on Full Moon Fever. The Petty-Lynne partnership that drove the album grew directly out of that collaboration.
What were the hit singles from Full Moon Fever?
The album produced four Billboard Hot 100 singles: 'Free Fallin'' at number 7, 'I Won't Back Down' at number 12, 'Runnin' Down a Dream' at number 23, and 'A Face in the Crowd' at number 46. 'Yer So Bad' reached number 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart but did not chart on the Hot 100.
How successful was Full Moon Fever commercially?
Full Moon Fever was Tom Petty's biggest-selling album, certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA for over five million units shipped in the United States. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019.
Who co-wrote Runnin' Down a Dream?
'Runnin' Down a Dream' was co-written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Mike Campbell, making it a three-way credit. Campbell's driving guitar work is a centerpiece of the track, which reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.