The Things Tom Petty Absolutely Hates

Tom Petty, known for his resolute attitude and memorable lyrics, has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinions about the music industry and all other things. From his 1982 battle with his record label to his disdain for modern technology, Petty’s candid remarks reflect his strong convictions and personal frustrations.

Greatest Hits Albums’ Bonus Tracks
One of Petty’s notable conflicts emerged from the inclusion of a bonus track on his 1993 Greatest Hits album. The track, “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” was included despite Petty’s reluctance. He expressed his frustration to Radio Q, saying, “It irked me no end that I had to do [that].” He believed that bonus tracks were misleading, asserting, “There is no ‘bonus track,’ it’s the end of your record… I don’t want it on the record unless it’s supposed to be there.”

Music Played by DJs
Petty’s disdain for modern music practices was evident in his criticism of DJs. “Watch people play records?” Petty rhetorically asked USA Today. “That’s stupid. You couldn’t pay me to go. I don’t think it would be any fun without the drugs. It’s a drug party.” He believed that many people were too eager for fame, preferring to rely on technology rather than developing their own musical skills. “There’s a lot of people who are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess to be famous, that they don’t want to take the time to learn to play and do all that,” he explained to Radio Q.

MP3s and Streaming Music
Petty’s criticism extended to digital music formats and streaming services. “I hate MP3s,” Petty told USA Today. “You hear exactly 5% of the record I made.” He lamented that MP3s significantly diminish the quality of music, contrasting them with CDs and noting, “The good news is vinyl is coming back.” He also voiced his disapproval of free streaming services, arguing that they undermine the livelihood of many artists. “There are artists far less fortunate than me that make their living (making music), and I think it’s a slap in the face to them to think that you can take their work for free,” he remarked.

Country Music of the Present Day
Petty’s critique of contemporary country music was blunt. He compared the modern country to rock music from the mid-’80s, which he found lacking in originality. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, “I hate to generalize on a whole genre of music, but it does seem to be missing that magic element that it used to have.” He felt that the genre had become too generic and heavily reliant on videos.

TV Singing Contest
Petty also expressed his skepticism about TV singing contests. He wondered about the cultural shift that allowed game-show winners to gain fame. “If they had tried to offer my generation someone that had won a game show, it would’ve been hysterical,” he said to Rolling Stone. He believed that such a concept would have been ridiculed in his time, reflecting a different set of values and standards in the music industry.

Hotels, Traveling, and Harbor Views
Travel and accommodations were points of frustration for Petty. He admitted to Q Radio that he found constant travel exhausting and was unimpressed by even the finest hotels. “Here’s a beautiful view of the harbor… I don’t care about the f—ing harbor!” he exclaimed. Petty’s disdain for travel and hotel rooms often overshadowed any luxury they might offer.

Some of His Own Albums
Petty’s feelings towards certain albums were far from positive. He expressed regret about the 1999 album *Echo*, citing personal turmoil and rushed production as reasons for his dissatisfaction. “I had just gotten divorced. My family was in complete upheaval,” he confided. He was similarly critical of the 1982 album *Long After Dark*, describing it as a period of “treading water” and expressing his disdain for it in later interviews.

The Catholic Church
Petty was vocal about his disapproval of the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse scandals. He condemned the church’s cover-up of these issues, saying, “If I was in a club, and I found out that there had been generations of people abusing children, and then that club was covering that up, I would quit the club.” His comments reflected a broader stance on institutional accountability and ethical behavior.

Reality Shows
Petty was critical of reality TV culture and its impact on societal values. He felt that shows like *Keeping Up with the Kardashians* perpetuated unrealistic standards. “The culture has hypnotized people into thinking they’re really nothing if they’re not wealthy and a Kardashian,” he observed. He believed that modern culture had shifted its focus towards superficial metrics of success.

All Drugs, Especially Alcohol
Petty’s stance on drugs and alcohol was candid. Although he experimented with cocaine, he found it detrimental to his voice, explaining, “The first thing it does is freeze your vocal cords.” He also disliked alcohol, stating, “I can’t stand being around drunks.” Despite his struggles with substance use, Petty preferred marijuana and had a disdain for restrictions on smoking. “I’m an addict, man. I’m a sick f—. But I don’t understand why I can’t light up in a bar or park. I think that’s yuppie s—.”