Friday Song: “Never Be You”
A restored song from the cutting room floor still captivates
The estate of the late Tom Petty continues to do a marvelous job keeping his music front and center.
On a deluxe restoration of the 1982 album Long After Dark, they officially released a “new” song by Petty despite it having been recorded by others — first for a major soundtrack in 1984 and then for a #1 Country hit in 1985.
“Never Be You” was written by Petty and Benmont Tench, the Heartbreakers’ renowned keyboard player. It was the only song the two ever co-wrote.
Not fitting the vibe of the overall album, producer Jimmy Iovine revived the song to be featured on the Streets of Fire soundtrack, which he produced two years later.
Rosanne Cash and Maria McKee each recorded a version of “Never Be You” for the soundtrack. Iovine preferred McKee’s version, so it made the soundtrack — something Cash would ultimately appreciate, as it turned out. The Streets of Fire film was a flop, and while the soundtrack sold well, it happened because of its one hit song, Dan Hartman’s Top 10 hit, “I Can Dream About You.”
Cash finally released her version of “Never Be You” the following year as a Country song. It shot to #1, and remained on the charts for 16 weeks.
Petty’s restored recording of the song was given a new animated video last week, which is featured below. (There are subliminal images flashing through, so who knows what impulses you might have to suppress after watching it.)
“Never Be You” is a simple and catchy song about losing a love, finding a new one, and realizing that the new one lacks some immutable quality still yearned for. Petty’s distinctive voice and style makes it his own again.
It’s amazing what was left on Petty’s cutting room floor — there’s even more “new” music to enjoy on the new deluxe edition of Long After Dark — and it’s great to have fresh songs to enjoy.
Enjoy!