I love Tom Petty, and I love how he reunited with his early band Mudcrutch to release an album in 2008. But nothing can excuse a song like this one lasting nine minutes, especially given that there are about 12 words in the whole song.
I am a vehemently anti-jam band man (say that five times fast). You can take your Phish, your Dead, your Dave Matthews Band and put them on mute. I have no interest in swaying for five minutes while a bearded man noodles away on his electric guitar.
This would be a great song at a third of its length. I press ‘skip’ at about the 3-minute mark.
Any jam band fans out there who want to argue the opposite point? You have until the song ends to support your position. Should be plenty of time.
Got a woman on the other side
Crystal river
Got a woman on the other side
And nothin’ can touch me here
Nothin’ can touch me here
Nothin’ can touch me here
On crystal river
I love her
I swear by the diamond sky
I love her
I swear by the diamond sky
And nothin’ can touch me here
And nothin’ can touch me here
And nothin’ can touch me here
On crystal river
I’m dreamin’
Dreamin’ where yhe water’s wide
Crystal river
Got a woman on the other side
And nothin’ can touch me here
Nothin’ can touch me here
No nothin’ can touch me here
On crystal river
She’s sleeping
Sleeping by the water side
She’s sleeping
Out there on that bank she lies
And nothin’ can touch me here
Nothin’ can touch me here
No nothin’ can touch me here
On crystal river
Meet Me In Montauk 
I actually like this song quite a lot. I suspect if I were floating on Crystal River or perhaps on a long drive or in a particularly mellow mood, I would enjoy the full 9 minutes. At other times, not so much.
Okay…I’m now done with my comment, which I started at the 3 minute mark…and I’m ready to move on…oh wait, petty is singing again…better….I made it to the end:)
well, you already know about my 90 minute rule for any activity or athletic experience so I’ll have to add that 3 minutes is my song rule to that 🙂