You Never Knew What These Misunderstood Songs Were Really About

‘American Girl’ – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty’s “American Girl” is a beloved song that blends 1960s guitars with 1970s punk influences. Some thought it was about a girl who jumped off a tower at the University of Florida, but Petty said that’s just a myth.

In reality, the song was inspired by his time in California, where he lived near a freeway. The sound of cars passing by reminded him of ocean waves, making it his “Malibu.” So, the song is about the calming effect of those passing cars, not a tragic event in Florida.