After the release of their first album in the late '70s, Tom Petty & the
Heartbreakers were shoved into the punk/new wave movement by many listeners,
who picked up on the tough, shining energy of the group's blend of
Byrds riffs and Rolling Stones staggering riffs. In a way, the categorization
made sense. Compared to the heavy metal and art-rock that dominated
mid-'70s guitar-rock, the Heartbreakers' gutsy return to roots was
nearly as unexpected as the crashing chords of the Clash.
Verse
Guitar 1
All notes are played on the "low E" string, and remember
to palm mute when applicable.
Begin the first measure of this riff by playing the "low E" string
open a few times. Then, use your 1st finger for the third fret, and
slide to the fifth fret. Play the fifth fret a few times, and then
go back to the third fret to end the measure.
For the second measure, play the open strings, and then use your 1st
finger for the second fret. Slide to the fifth fret with the same finger.
Play that a few times, and then go back to the second fret to end the
measure.
For the third measure, play the open notes a few times, and then use
your 1st finger on the fourth fret. Play that once, and then move to
the fifth fret. Play that a few times, and then go to the third fret.
For the last measure, play the open notes, and then use your 1st finger
to play the second fret. Slide to the fourth fret, and then slide to
the fifth fret. Play the fifth fret a few times, and then move to the
third fret.
Guitar 2
All you have to do is barre your 1st finger on the second frets of
the "A" string and the "D" string. Play the "low
E" open. After you have played that a few times, simply barre
the "D" string and the "G" string on the second
frets. Allow the "A" string to remain open.
Guitar 3
All of these measures are mostly alike. For the first measure, place
your 3rd finger on the seventh fret on the "A" string. Play
that twice. Use your 1st finger for the fourth fret on the "D" string.
Next, hammer-on from the fourth fret on the "A" string with
your 1st finger, and then use your 3rd finger to hit the seventh fret
on the same string. Play the fifth fret on the "E" string
about three times, and then use your 3rd finger for the seventh fret
on the same string to end the measure. Since you know how to play the
first measure, you will have no trouble with the rest.
