Well she was an American girl,

Raised on promises,......she couldn't help thinking there was a little more life..... somewhere else...... After all it was a great big world....with lots of places to run to...........and just like that Tom Petty introduced himself to the American rock n roll scene.....one of the most recognizable and truly joyous Opening chords to a song ( in a category with I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND)..... simple pleasures in life are the most attainable and plentiful..... nothing mean spirited, not complaining about her hometown , just bound for adventure and a little more life... I had to look it up when American Girl was released....it was 1976.....is that possible ? Have 41 years passed since we first heard that song ...... how many times was it played Over the years at Riis Park and the Cabanas in Breezy Pt and every backyard in America, at every fuckin Bar B Que that was worth it's Salt.... I always think of the perch in O.L.A. schoolyard when I hear it... something about those opening chords that make you want stop what you are doing, bop your head and play a little air guitar.... something about all Tom Petty's lyrics that accentuate the simple things.....a beautiful day driving in a car with the radio on.... The highs and lows that we all experience......I hope 100 years from now there is still an America, I hope some kid in a schoolyard hears that song for the first time and holds a wiffle ball bat likes it's a guitar and strums along ...............".God it's so painful.... something that's so close....and still so far out of reach "