"Free Fallin'" is the opening track from Tom Petty's debut solo album, Full Moon Fever (1989). The song was written by Petty and his writing partner for the album, Jeff Lynne, and features Lynne on backing vocals and bass guitar. The duo wrote and recorded the single in two days, making it the first song completed for Full Moon Fever.
The song's lyrics make references to Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. Petty explained in an interview with Billboard magazine that he and Jeff Lynne were sitting around trying to come up with a song, and Lynne got him to say "free falling". The next day they went and recorded the song. He didn't write it about any person, but instead what he saw on his frequent drives along Ventura Boulevard.
Lyrics
She's a good girl, loves her mamma
Loves Jesus and America, too
She's a good girl, crazy bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too, yeah yeah
It's a long day, livin' in Reseda
There's a free way running through the yard
I'm a bad boy 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breaking her heart
And I'm free
Free fallin', fallin'
And I'm free
Free fallin', fallin'
All the vampires, walkin' through the valley
They move west down Ventura Boulevard
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts
And I'm free
Free fallin', fallin'
Now I'm free
Free fallin', fallin'
Free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm Free fallin', now I'm Free fallin', now I'm Free fallin' I wanna glide down, over Mulholland Wanna write her name in the sky I wanna free fall out into nothin' Oh, I'm gonna leave this, this world for a while Now I'm free Free fallin', fallin' Now I'm free Free fallin', fallin' Then I'm free Free fallin', fallin' Now I'm free Free fallin', fallin' Free fallin', fallin' Free fallin', fallin' Free fallin', fallin'
Songwriters: PETTY THOMAS EARL / LYNNE JEFFREY Free Fallin' lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Gone Gator Music, Emi Music Publishing France, EMI APRIL MUSIC INC, SBK APRIL MUSIC INC
