Tom Petty Performs "American Girl" (Live) - Fridays 

Sometimes I cant believe this song even exists. It just touches something deep in my soul that it's hard to believe someone wrote it.

I worked at ABC TV at the time and was able to get backstage for this performance. I was standing stage left when Bruce Springsteen came and stood next to me on my right, and then Little Steven came and stood next to Bruce. The 3 of us stood there watching the band rock out, I was blessed.

The most anticipated bass guitar notes in all of rock and roll.

As a 62 yr old English geezer who loves the states, this brings back so many memories...God bless Tom Petty and the USA xx

I love the smile he gives to the drummer at the end. They nailed it. They know it. They rock. Thanks for the memories Tom Petty ❤️

R.I.P Tom Petty 😭😭😭😭 We lost a legend There will never be another like him. Feels like I lost a friend

1:58 - 2:07 That part gives me goosebumps and is what makes Tom Petty such a bad ass! The way he puts every ounce of his soul into singing that part is LEGENDARY!!! TOM PETTY ROCKS!

This was evidently also lead guitarist Mike Campbell's favorite Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song to play with the band. That makes me happy for some reason.

Fridays, Saturday Night Live, Dick Clark, American Bandstand, Midnight Special, Wolfman Jack and Tom Petty.... rest in peace. It was a special time and we loved you all for it.

People rarely talk about how cool of a bass player Ron Blair was/is. This may one of the perfect songs. Great band at the peak of their powers.

I miss your music Tom. There will never be another to match your talent.

I saw this on the original broadcast of the show back then. To this day I still think it's the best performance of the song I've ever heard.

Tight performance. One of the greatest American groups of all time.

Funny how it took me 37 years to realize how amazing Tom Petty's band and voice was. I used to watch Fridays back then. How sad he is gone. What a loss.

RIP Tom. Thanks for all of the great music.

Look at his eyes. He is so freaking high but still nails this song to perfection. That's what sets rockers like Tom Petty apart from all the rest.

Tom's voice is so exceptional here, boy is on top of his game 😍😍 always a babe

we miss you man, thanks for the tunes

The opening line lyric "raised on promises" echoes a line of dialogue in Francis Ford Coppola's 1963 film, Dementia 13. Referring to another woman, the character Louise says (at minute 17), "Especially an American girl. You can tell she's been raised on promises".

Something really special about this song. A solid rocker from start to finish.

I was lucky enough to see him live a couple of times before he passed. Best concerts ever. RIP Tom, and thanks for the memories. ❤🙏

great song. was playing it yesterday when i was in the shower, and today he's gone. as Kirby Puckett said, tomorrow isn't promised to anyone....

I saw Tom Petty in Concert more than once. He is one of the Greatest American artists of all time!!! This song is my Anthem. I Am an American Girl and very Proud to be one!!! God Bless America....Forever!!!

I totally remember this time period. 1979. There was also a show on TV called Fridays. I was only 10 or 11 but in that pre-teen area where you start listening to the radio and paying attention and understanding life a little more adult like than when you are 7. The Pirates won the series and we are family was their theme song, roller skating was HUGE and America seemed good like there was a buzz in the air. I delivered newspapers on my bike every day, including Sunday, when they were heavy as hell. Shortly after this time you had the hostage sitch, then Steve Mcqueen died and later John Lennon was shot by an idiot, late 1980, and then Reagan early 1981. Delivering the paper I saw the daily headline and it sure seemed like everything went from great in 1979, to a lot of negative in 1980.

40 years later and this performance still gave me goosebumps...from a video...with marginal speakers. Great song + serious intent = timeless art.

Thank you so much Tom. You’ve helped me get through so many depressing times. God Bless, RIP

Tom Petty's music makes me tear up now whenever I listen. Such an underrated musician and stunning musical composer. His death was an incredible loss.

What a great version! That double neck Rickenbacker is (was) a beaut too. Tough day today, with all the Petty tunes running through my head. But that's his lasting tribute. RIP Tom.

I'm taking a moment off work to listen to Tom Petty in this sad, sad day. Rest in Peace dude.

After watching the making of wildflowers documentary, I can’t help but be grateful to live in a time when we could appreciate Tom & The Heartbreakers & ALL of the wonder they shared with us! You will forever be in my heart ❤️🌼🎩🎤🎸🌻🎹🎧🎼🌸❤️

Man, Tom and the Heartbreakers were so young and full of fire ! Not many bands can pull off what they did over the past 40 years. WE LOVE TOM PETTY !!!! RIP Tom

My God, how I love this song. Love the passion and the intensity with which Tom always sang it. Just watch and listen right about the 2:00 minute mark. He's AWESOME. I love this young, shaggy haired, lanky, skinny legged guy and his Heartbreakers band. Wow.....I'd kill to go back in time and be able to re-live all of these moments in person once again.... Sometimes it's hard for me to watch a performance like this on RU-vid and then immediately watch a recent performance from his 40th anniversary tour on RU-vid. We all grow old, that's a given. And maybe it's because I'm getting to that age that I'm feeling this way. But I just like to thInk of Tom Petty as timeless.....as never growing old. When I close my eyes and hear him singing this song, I think of him back from late 70's, early 80's. Just at the start of his career. A young rock n roller with endless energy and such grit and intensity in his voice. Maybe that's how he is right now, once again.....

After living in Gainesville, hearing ‘out on 441’ makes it personal.

Amazing- and it was absolutely "LIVE",....so rare these days. Even live performances have a lot of "safety nets" in this present age of music ( "music" - I use the term loosely). This was back when bands spent years - years! - as unknowns , other than on a tour circuit of dives and bars...honing the craft, building the experience of how to handle a crowd , what to do in the case of a "emergency" (i.e. amp won't work, string breaks,... singing with the flu , playing with a hangover or recovering from bad food on the road etc... ) . Really, really miss those simple days - we didn't realize how great we all had it.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I'll always remember how much I loved watching this movie with my kids....

Its a strange thing to know someone has gone when watching a video like this they look so full of life.... great song by a truly great musician. RIP Tom

I can only hope that Tom knew how truly beloved he was by so many...it's a darker, colder, sadder world without him. God it's so painful someone so close...and forever out of reach...RIP TP

Building my life back up at 53 years old, after giving a lot of myself away to others. This is my song now!! Thank you Tom Petty! Now it's time I live my true self and embrass it!! I've given a lot to the wrong causes and it almost wiped off this planet. Not anymore! I raised three wonderful free-spirited children who are truly living life! They are my inspiration! Thank you my loves for teaching me lessons now!! No more betting on the wrong guy! I'm going live my life like the American girl I am!! No more conforming to the belief of the promises I was raised on!

This Is Why I Love Rock And Roll Period Long live tom petty, mike, benmont, ron, stan and rip howie. Thanks to these guys for helping me throughout my adult life.

When you’re driving around Gainesville FL and this comes on local radio… it still hits 🥺💔💯

I believe that Tom Petty was shocked himself at the absolute magnificence of this song. I am 70 years old now. I remember the first time I heard it. I am still in shock. It’s almost hard to believe this level of brilliance.

I still can not believe I live in a world without Tom Petty.

Tom Petty, I am so happy you existed. ❤❤ RIP

Amazing performance. And I love the smile Tom gives to the drummer at the end. Class

FROM 3:42 TIL 3:52 IS ALL ANYONE EVER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT GUITAR PLAYING AND WHILE MIKE CAMPBELL IS AMAZING

This song gets me so emotional every time I hear it. Was bawling when it was on Scrubs

RIP Tom....love at the end when they show the crowd, everyone is sitting down and clapping furiously....and of course, no cell phones in everyone's hand blocking the view.

My daughter lives in New Zealand, became a citizen there and married a Kiwi. I had this song played at their wedding -

I was born un 86 and i cant believe we are so blessed to have this tech to watch these timeless musicians! .it sounds so amazing. All the greats have come and gone. This is real American music! And i love it!! Amazing chemistry they had.

We love you, Tom. RIP and thanks for the best songs ever.

One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He sounded better live. I was a mild fan but after that concert I was hooked! RIP TOM PETTY ❤

To this day everytime I hear this song I can't help thinking of "Silence of the lambs", Great tune!

Great song, great band !!!

Timeless! Keeps on going "like waves crashin' on the beach". 😁 What a perfect song by a super talented group of musicians.

RIP Tom I want to TY for your Music that had a Huge part In my life!

More than a great rock and roll performance, an invaluable historical document!

I can never forgive myself for not seeing them live when I had many opportunities. So missed!!!

I have always believed I am that American girl.... 1977 California.

I used to own a house in Gainesville Florida. Tom Petty used for rehearsal, around the time of mudcrutch. some of the boys from the Eagles were involved. On a side note, The "Gainesville green" was worthy of its reputation LOL.

Saw him on the great wide-open tour. One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.

They were babies. Even in the early years it’s clear they were something special!

I met Tom Petty in 1978 and got his autograph. He told me he wrote American Girl on the 4th of July! 🇺🇸

Always loved this song...thanks for the great music Tom.

The best version of the band! Collectively, they had the most swing.

i always thought this is like one of the coolest songs you hear in movies, but never know the title. this is a super cool song. super~

Love Tom Petty Band Member Grave

The soundtrack of our youth for those of us that grew up in the 70’s/80’s. Total Americana! RIP TP.

idk man i like how mike campbell plays and how he looks at tom petty reminds of the scene in Walk the Line when johnny first sings folsom prison blues and the guitarist has to come up with a solo and looks at johnny like "i got this"

8/7/22 MY LOVE FOR ALL KINDS OF MUSIC BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY!!!

I loved his music he was soulful a genius made me happy and glad to be alive

♥️ this song!!

Always one of my favorite Petty Songs!

TP was the last of the greats that came out of the 60s-70s era of just the best music ever made.

What a gift to the world of rock n roll. Rest in peace and thank you Tom Petty!

I knew them then, never forgotten, always amazed. Glad I was alive when he was. Special person, high quality, talent up the gazoo! Miss ya bro!

utterly sublime1 RIP Mr Petty

Loved this song..stopped me in my tracks when first heard it on the radio in UK in late 70s...its the greatest song The Byrds never did!..I met Tom Petty in the mid 80s with Roger McGuin and Bob Dylan..out of the three of them Tom was a really nice, warm bloke..Roger was ok but a bit distant..Dylon was on another planet

M Cambell always delivered the licks!

Love Tom Petty Band Member Grave ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Love this song love Toms voice 😢

the band was so solid and tight even in their early years. they stayed humble over the years and true to themselves, and btw ron blair was so damn sexy.

one of the best pure rock n roll songs.

Amazing tune....just like The Waiting....BRAVO TOM

Love this song ❤️

my god how I love his music

This is one of my all-time favorite and most relatable songs . I love Tom Petty!!!

The little look between Tom and Mike at 2:57 like "how great is this song and how great is our band"

Still in love with you and your music.

I'll always remember 2017 as the year Tom Petty died. And then I'll remember how happy his music made me feel. RIP~

Mike Campbell peering around Tom to see the camera is priceless. My fav performance from them.

The double guitar!!!

Loved it when released and love it even more in 2021..

Man I love this song! Just classic

Happy Presents day 2022✌️💋🇺🇸💜Much Love St.Jen🇺🇸

We love and will miss you Tom!

really good song from these guys , time passes fast , live it up now.

Very impressive to make live music sound like studio music!

There will never be a band quite like that. I loved 'em so much - all the best to Mike and the guys

This hurts! Petty and his Rickenbacker 😎 Oct 3, 2017. He's traveling now. RIP Tom Petty...

Oh man. I missed him at Jazz Fest a couple years back…😢😢