It was yet another three years before Tom Petty’s next release, 2002’s The Last DJ. This is another Petty album I don’t own, though I can’t recall if I bought it and sold it back or just didn’t give it a chance based on the so-so reviews.
The record is partially a concept album about the music industry, inspired by Los Angeles DJ Jim Ladd, who is notable for being one of the few remaining DJs (and the most prominent) to personally select every song he plays on his station. Radio programming has been completely taken over by computers and research and a guy like this is a charming anachronism.
I was recently at a panel moderated by a radio station manager. He was asked if he liked Journey and he replied something like “I do if it tests well.” He was half kidding, but only half.
So I admire the spirit behind Petty’s album, and it’s nice to see that years after fighting battles against the industry over pricing, Petty is still arguing for art over commerce. But the record itself, by all accounts, is something of a dud.
You can’t turn him into a whore
And the boys upstairs just don’t understand anymore
Well the top brass don’t like him talking so much
And he won’t play what they say to play
And he don’t want to change what don’t need to change
And there goes the last DJ
Who plays what he wants to play
And says what he wants to say
Hey, hey, hey
And there goes your freedom of choice
There goes the last human voice
There goes the last DJ
Well some folks say they’re gonna hang him so high
Because you just can’t do what he did
There’s some things you just can’t put in the minds of those kids
As we celebrate mediocrity all the boys upstairs want to see
How much you’ll pay for what you used to get for free
And there goes the last DJ
Who plays what he wants to play
And says what he wants to say
Hey, hey, hey
And there goes your freedom of choice
There goes the last human voice
And there goes the last DJ
[Instrumental break]
Well he got him a station down in Mexico
And sometimes it will kinda come in
And I’ll bust a move and remember how it was back then
There goes the last DJ
Who plays what he wants to play
And says what he wants to say
Hey, hey, hey
And there goes your freedom of choice
There goes the last human voice
And there goes the last DJ
Meet Me In Montauk 
I do like the sentiment behind the song, but the tune itself is pretty forgettable, as is, apparently, the album. I recall reading about, more than listening to, this early 2000’s slump in Petty’s output. I’m looking forward to your next few posts where Petty returns to form.
I have this album and it’s better than the critics say. “Joe” and “Blue Sunday” are great tunes.
I’m liking this song quite a bit. Not sure what makes it forgettable. Seems to have much of what I love about Petty – the great voice, the wonderfully vibrant instruments, the great beat. I’m going to listen to Tim and give this album a chance!