After Tom Petty’s death, I did a countdown of my favorite Petty albums. 2006’s Highway Companion came in at #4.
Revisiting that list now, I was surprised at how high I placed this album. It certainly had no chance of cracking the top three (Damn the Torpedoes, Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers) but four is still a pretty lofty position given Petty’s legendary status.
Skimming the album today, I see where I was coming from. It’s a solid collection that toes the line between Full Moon Fever and Wildflower sonically, and is consistently good enough to just edge out Southern Accents (my #5).
Today’s song is the lead-off track and first single, a propulsive bit of blues rock that makes the best of a ZZ Top-inspired riff.
I’m passing sleeping cities
Fading by degrees
Not believing all I see to be so
I’m flying over backyards
Country homes and ranches
Watching life between the branches below
[Chorus]
And it’s hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don’t you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
[Verse 2]
I’m moving on alone
Over ground that no one owns
Past statues that atone for my sins
There’s a guard on every door
And a drink on every floor
Overflowing with a thousand amens
[Chorus]
And it’s hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don’t you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don’t you, baby? (Oh)
[Verse 3]
You’re rolling up the carpet
Of your father’s two-room mansion
No headroom for expansion no more
And there’s a corner of the floor
They’re telling you it’s your’s
You’re confident but not really sure
[Chorus]
And it’s hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don’t you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don’t you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don’t you, baby?
Meet Me In Montauk 
Though I have not heard the entire album, and even though admittedly Southern Accents has a few weaker songs, I still would rank Southern Accents higher. Today’s SOTD is fine, but rather forgettable.