The Best Of Everything: Tom Petty's Collaborative Journey with Robbie Robertson
Tom Petty collaborated with talented musicians to create his music, and one notable example is the song "The Best Of Everything" from his 1985 album Southern Accents. Robbie Robertson, a renowned musician, played a significant role in enhancing the song's beauty without even playing an instrument. Petty faced challenges during the creation of the album, initially envisioning it as a concept album about the American South but later exploring pop-oriented material with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Despite struggles with the sound on some tracks, Petty persevered to complete the album, turning to "The Best Of Everything" to fill out the running time.
Originally recorded for The Heartbreakers' 1981 album Hard Promises, "The Best Of Everything" didn't make the cut. However, when Robbie Robertson approached Petty for material for The King Of Comedy, he offered the song. Robertson, overseeing the film's music, added horns and enlisted former members of The Band, Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel, to contribute to the track. Petty was initially kept out of the production process but was pleased with the final outcome.
Robbie Robertson's collaboration on "The Best Of Everything" added depth and emotion to the song, making it one of Tom Petty's most poignant ballads. The track, enriched by Robertson's production and the contributions of The Band members, showcases the power of collaboration in music creation.