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Tom Petty — Square One
Album: Highway Companion
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1543









Released: 2006
Length: 3:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Had to find some higher ground
Had some fear to get around
You can't say what you don't know
Later on won't work no more
Last time through I hid my tracks
So well I could not get back
Yeah my way was hard to find
Can't sell your soul for peace of mind

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears
It took a long time to get back here

Try so hard to stand alone
Struggle to see past my nose
Always had more dogs than bones
I could never wear those clothes
It's a dark victory
You won and you also lost
Told her you were satisfied
But it never came across

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears
It took a long time to get back here

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears
It took a long time to get back here

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears
It took a long time to get back here
Comments (83)add comment
Still overcome with sadness every time I hear his voice. RIP
After a lot of consideration and listening, and granted there are many great TP songs, I think Square One is his masterpiece. At least, it hits me in the feels every time.
Sweet.
   pure genius in its simplicity.. 
One of the best songs.  A week ago, I was fortunate to hear Mike Campbell play "Free Falling" in NYC at the Madison Square Garden Fleetwood Mac concert. It was heavenly.
For me, Tom Petty is the only classic rocker who kept creating quality work all through his career. Not just songwriting, but vocals and production. I love his later albums, including the solo ones like this. They're thoughtful, sometimes biting, sometimes wistful, and they sound great. He may not have been the flashiest, but he endures.  
Never heard this one before. Such a beautiful, melancholy song. Made all the more bittersweet with his passing. RIP, Tom.
We have lost many artists recently, but with Tom I feel like a lost a friend.  Peace.
 
I really regret not seeing Tom Petty last month In Berkeley.  I told a friend and we were going to go but a stupid miscommunication and logistical BS kept me from my last opportunity to see this rock and roll legend.  An opportunity I will never see again.  At least I can say I saw him 35 years ago at the US Festival in San Bernardino.  Great show as I remember.
 DaMoGan wrote:
RIP Tom

 
Went too soon. Will be sorely missed!
RIP Tom
Ex girlfriend was a huge TP fan. Can't listen to him without being transported back to the good times, bad times and all the healing. Square one, the slate is clear. 
Whole album=exellent!
Good stuff. I need to pick up some of his newer material. Pretty sure the last thing I have from him is Wildflowers... : )
Just the song I needed today. Thanks RP
Radio Paradise has introduced me to whole different side of Tom Petty that I'd never heard before. For that alone I'm appreciative but there's a whole lot more.
{#Heartkiss} ........ beautiful song
 Cynaera wrote:
Tom Petty is astonishing. I'd never heard this song before, and now I'm being saturated with his music, and I wonder why I don't have everything he's ever done?  Beautiful song...{#Sunny}
 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Thought this was TP.  Different kind of cut for him.  Nice!
This IS a great tune!  Thanks PSD! 
Tom Petty just doesn't do bad albums IMO.   {#Clap}

Love this song. Reminds me of my trip to Bali- listened to this cd nonstop. Great traveling music. Love Tom. When I he coming back to bay area?
 Mindscrape wrote:
Usually I like Tom Petty, but I don't like this song. It's too circular.
 

That's an unusual criticism, particularly since the song is titled "Square One" (perhaps that was your intention).  At least you didn't write the nauseatingly over-used adjective "repetitive".

Nice one!
My uber-talented husband used to play and sing this; he learned it while in rehab. Unfortunately the rehab didn't stick and now he's gone.
RIP funnyman. <3
This whole album is very good...and I'm not a die hard fan.

Tom Petty is astonishing. I'd never heard this song before, and now I'm being saturated with his music, and I wonder why I don't have everything he's ever done?  Beautiful song...{#Sunny}
I've never heard this song before — loving it right now.
Europe are waiting or I´m going to US this summer.
 capandjudy wrote:

Yes!! "Running Down A Dream" is an exceptionally good film. It reintroduced me to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and turned my wife into a fan. Films about rock bands and musicians tend to really get self indulgent and boring but the Bogdanovich film will draw in even someone who is not especially a fan even though it is four hours long.
 
It's good, I bought it, got a deal, Circuit City close out 80% of I think I paid $7 for it. Best $7 I've spent in a while.  ( =

 rasta_tiger wrote:
I've never been a big fan of Petty's. Always let his songs play out on the radio but never sought them out. Having said that, I'd really recommend the new documentary on Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I came across it weeks ago on the Sundance Channel. It was long (4 hrs) but it was really interesting. I gained a whole new level of respect for him. Just a solid songwriter working his trade. Nothing revolutionary but worthy all the same. I think it's called 'Runnin' Down a Dream'. Worth a Netflix rental if you have the time.
 
Got it from a bandmate as a Christmas gift.  Very enjoyable.  It was interesting to see the evolution of the band from
the beginning to the present.

A very chilled-out and reflective Tom Petty tune...I'm digging it. {#Yes}
best wel een mooi liedje!
 PurplePrincess wrote:

There is just something about this song that gets me every time.

 
Me too, but not in the good way it gets you. I bought this album on the strength of 2 songs played from it on RP, but it turns out those 2 were the only listenable numbers and I eventually gave the CD away to a charity shop.

There is just something about this song that gets me every time.


If you've just had your heart broken, this song slays! Some days it's a 10, others it's a 2
Jimi_the_Saint wrote:
Opposite reaction, here. I usually don't care for Petty. I've seen him a couple of times, and walk away unimpressed. But this song? I like it a lot.
Same here.Never saw him in concert, but don't really get into most of his stuff. But this quiet little piece really sings . . . Works well with the "unique" qualities of his voice, IMHO . . .
This evokes emotions about poor Lica...Good song, thanks
Mindscrape wrote:
Usually I like Tom Petty, but I don't like this song. It's too circular.
Opposite reaction, here. I usually don't care for Petty. I've seen him a couple of times, and walk away unimpressed. But this song? I like it a lot.
rasta_tiger wrote:
I've never been a big fan of Petty's. Always let his songs play out on the radio but never sought them out. Having said that, I'd really recommend the new documentary on Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I came across it weeks ago on the Sundance Channel. It was long (4 hrs) but it was really interesting. I gained a whole new level of respect for him. Just a solid songwriter working his trade. Nothing revolutionary but worthy all the same. I think it's called 'Runnin' Down a Dream'. Worth a Netflix rental if you have the time.
Yes!! "Running Down A Dream" is an exceptionally good film. It reintroduced me to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and turned my wife into a fan. Films about rock bands and musicians tend to really get self indulgent and boring but the Bogdanovich film will draw in even someone who is not especially a fan even though it is four hours long.
I've never been a big fan of Petty's. Always let his songs play out on the radio but never sought them out. Having said that, I'd really recommend the new documentary on Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I came across it weeks ago on the Sundance Channel. It was long (4 hrs) but it was really interesting. I gained a whole new level of respect for him. Just a solid songwriter working his trade. Nothing revolutionary but worthy all the same. I think it's called 'Runnin' Down a Dream'. Worth a Netflix rental if you have the time.
Mindscrape wrote:
Usually I like Tom Petty, but I don't like this song. It's too circular.
Hmmm. Perhaps that was what he was going for. "It took a long time to get back here."
vaiodon wrote:
Another surprising (for me) Tom Petty track - most of his music I've heard on commercial outlets I don't care for that much but this is very good. Thanks RP.
Another reason to give up entirely on "commercial outlets". They will only bring you pain, sorrow, and overplayed hits.
Usually I like Tom Petty, but I don't like this song. It's too circular.
I agree. I love the whole album. Tom Petty is still a very good song writer.
Without a doubt the best Petty song since "Even the Losers." Thank you, Bill.
What happened to the Heart Breakers?
eastcoast wrote:
I am almost convinced to buy this album...but I have been so disappointed with all his albums I have baught, I am extremely hesitant.
Keep hesitating. I bought this album on the strength of two good tracks played on RP (this wasn't one of them) and, sadly, those were the only two decent tracks on the disk, IMO, and I eventually gave the CD away to a charity shop.
thekid wrote:
some song writers are earnestly attempting to get at that ineffable core of the 'human experience'
Ya! what he said!
It is songs like this that give me the welcomed feeling that some song writers are earnestly attempting to get at that ineffable core of the 'human experience'... whatever that is. There is a simple elegance to this song that if listened to in a charitable spirit will speak poigniantly of our age and understanding.
I am almost convinced to buy this album...but I have been so disappointed with all his albums I have baught, I am extremely hesitant.
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Hi, my name is Luka. I live upstairs from you. Yeah, I think you've seen me before...
Wait, wait, don't tell me--Tom Petty is being beaten by his woman behind closed doors? Isn't that what the Martina McBride song was about (with genders reversed)? Did I get your point?
Normally a Tom Petty fan, I find this one way too whiny. The words, strangely enough, belie his vocal quality--quite puzzling. Can you have confidence in the words while ignoring the sound conveying them? A conundrum. (Anything I cannot stand, it's a whiny man. )
Normally I don't much care for Tom Petty. But I like this.
i love this song. i can't help it.
His ability to consistently write good, solid songs has always impressed me. Great live, too.
this song is really sweet and great. And it get's better the more I listen to it.
Hi, my name is Luka. I live upstairs from you. Yeah, I think you've seen me before...
Mugro wrote:
I agree. Tom Petty is usually an automatic mute for me, but this song is not so bad. I think it is something about the guitar work that is not the normal Petty formula. Don't know.
I'm with you. This is really a nice reflective tune. 8
vaiodon wrote:
Another surprising (for me) Tom Petty track - most of his music I've heard on commercial outlets I don't care for that much but this is very good. Thanks RP.
I agree. Tom Petty is usually an automatic mute for me, but this song is not so bad. I think it is something about the guitar work that is not the normal Petty formula. Don't know.
Another surprising (for me) Tom Petty track - most of his music I've heard on commercial outlets I don't care for that much but this is very good. Thanks RP.
...that is just so darn sweet, I think I'm gonna cry into my keybaord ...hope my boss doesn't look in! ...but seriously, good work Mr Petty we luvs ya!
nICE ONE
babygirl614 wrote:
Excellent. This was on the Elizabethtown soundtrack last year, great one!
Just picked up the E'town soundtrack a couple of months ago, before Highway Companion came out, and I loved Square One from the beginning. Only TP had two songs on that soundtrack, the other being "It'll All Work Out" from the 20-year old "Let Me Up" album. So now I'm listening to Let Me Up again, along with E'town and HC!
Excellent. This was on the Elizabethtown soundtrack last year, great one!
Sweet song...
That was real cool. Just what we expect from Tom Petty
Good ol' Tom. What a King of radio. What staying power. That source is pure. A true artist. Thanks :)
So far this is the third track I've heard from the release and I've been enormously pleased and surprised at how much I've enjoyed each cut. This is classic Petty. Gotta go get this one for sure...
Just bought this album. It is a great listen! Rock on Tom!
Surprisingly different and nice. Not what I normally expect from TP.
Whenever this song starts, I think it's Gerry Rafferty.
not all of this album is good, but this songs is just gorgeous!! (slight flashback to an old waterboys song, but that's a really good thing) thank you tom for making this!! (& bill for playing this)
milehighYinzer wrote:
It does sound like a track that would be from wildflowers. I got to pick this up today. I dig chill accoustic Petty songs.
my thoughts exactly
This song makes me sigh.....
fearlessfreep wrote:
beautiful, simple. this gets back to the 'wildflowers' petty ... thanks for playing it.
It does sound like a track that would be from wildflowers. I got to pick this up today. I dig chill accoustic Petty songs.
I feel like this album is getting too much RP play, but maybe that's just me.
great song, ugly man. love the combo!
beautiful, simple. this gets back to the 'wildflowers' petty ... thanks for playing it.
More please!
fuh2 wrote:
I like it already
I agree
I like it already