Album: Hard Promises (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tom Petty doesn't say much about the lyrical content of his songs, but he did tell Melody Maker in 1981 regarding "Insider": "It's one of those things in a relationship that really is the stinger. You know, you didn't trust me, you couldn't trust me... that's the way it always come out. Trust.

    When I wrote that song, I wrote it very quickly, I mean maybe in ten, 15 minutes. I just wrote it all down on paper and then I just picked up the guitar and tried to sing each line out. It took me maybe an hour to do that - it don't happen every day, fans! But the lyrics were real quick."
  • When Stevie Nicks joined Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for some songs on their 2006 tour, Petty introduced this song by saying he he wrote it for Stevie. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donna - Berkeley, CA

Comments: 5

  • Steve from Torrance, CaOne of the greatest "I guess I wasn't good enough for you" songs ever written. Very poignant.
  • Donna from Lodi, CaPetty did write this song for Stevie but then had a change of heart. He decided to keep it and put it on his album "Hard Promises". He then wrote "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" and gave that song to Stevie.
  • Vernon from Trinidad, Wi, OtherStevie sings backup on this as well, and the title of the album "Hard Promises" comes from these lyrics.
  • Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Flthis song is great!! =^_^=
  • Vanessa from Chicago, Ili love this song ...:)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.