Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Play “I Need To Know,” And It’s Absolutely Electric

The Midnight Special, Live In 1978

Written in 1977, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ ‘I Need To Know’ is never so good as when it’s performed live – no matter how many times we hear it live, Tom always packs the same amount of energy into the same 2 minute performances! If that’s not the mark of a world-class entertainer, then I’m not sure what is. In 1978, Tom and the rest of the Heartbreakers took ‘I Need To Know’ to The Midnight Special in celebration of their critically acclaimed album release, You’re Gonna Get It! and the result was one of the show’s most iconic performances – ever.

Fun Fact: Stevie Nicks has been performing ‘I Need To Know’ live since 1981, and even performed a duet of the song with Tom in honor of the band’s 30th anniversary.

Tom, as usual, is lightyears ahead of his industry rivals – though it’s only 1978, ‘I Need To Know’ takes on the fast, almost punk inspired pace that would dominate the 80s. It’s a little rowdier than we’re used to seeing from a band like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but a great one nonetheless!

+ I Need To Know lyrics +

Well talk on the street
Says you might go solo
A good friend of mine
Saw you leavin’ by your back door

I need to know, I need to know
If you think you’re gotta leave
Then you better say so
I need to know, I need to know
Cause I don’t know how long I can hold on
If you’re making me wait, if you’re leadin’ me on
I need to know

Who would’ve thought that
You’d fall for his line
All of a sudden
It’s me on the outside

I need to know, I need to know
If you think you’re gotta leave
Then you better say so
I need to know, I need to know
Cause I don’t know how long I can hold on
If you’re making me wait, if you’re leadin’ me on
I need to know

I need to know, I need to know
If you think you’re gotta leave
Then you better say so
I need to know, I need to know
Cause I don’t know how long I can hold on
If you’re making me wait, if you’re leadin’ me on
I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Baby, I need to know