a tale for people who love Tom Petty

(writing this tale I used the titles of
about 80 songs, written and/or
performed by Tom Petty and the heartbreakers):


I was born in Chicago on a blue sunday
in this old town
you don't know how it feels
when it's time to move on
to dreamville, finding peace in L.A.
where you can't stop the sun
On a big weekend
I met an American girl,
a honey bee named Melinda,
more than a face in the crowd,
I thought:" Here comes my girl!
It's an Angel Dream, this one's for me,
the best of everything! All or nothing!"
With Mary Jane's new car
we rode down South
on kings highway
into the great wide open,
doing anything that's Rock'n Roll.
I felt it's good to be a king,
rollin' in my Baby's arms.
One more day, one more night
we were flirting with time
without a shadow of a doubt,
she had a mind with a heart of its own.
In the Louisiana rain we rented
a house in the woods,
living in the room at the top.
I don't know what to say to you, but
searching to find a friend
we met Joe, an insider
from the cabin down below.
Soon I felt something in the air.
It won't last long: Thirteen days later
I heard two men talking to a night driver
about Joe, the man who loves women,
especially Melinda!
I felt running down a dream: You and me !?
Where's the golden rose I loved?
Didn't I listen to her heart?
I found her and Joe at Zombies Zoo.
I said: "Don't do me like that! I'm counting on you!
I'm depending on you! Baby, please don't go!
I need you!"
She said: "What are you doin' in my life?
I'm a free girl! I'll make it better!"
I said:"You can still change your mind!
Come on down to my house!"
but she left me alone, out in the cold,
not knowing she had done somebody wrong.
I felt like learning to fly, free falling,
straight into darkness.
Even the losers feel a whole lot better.
I was damaged by love,
nearly having a breakdown, like lost children
by refugee!
Now I got a woman, Carol, and I said to her:
"Handle me with care!"
It's allright for now. Love is a long road.
I won't back down!
When the time comes I'd say to Melinda:
"You won't see me crawling back to you!
Don't come around here no more!"