Throughout his storied career, Tom Petty collaborated with legends and inspired a generation of songwriters. His partnership with Stevie Nicks on her solo debut Bella Donna in 1981 is well-known—most famously with their hit “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”. But behind that hit lies a lesser-told story: the song Petty refused to let her record.
The track was titled “Insider”. Petty described it as “one of my best songs up to that point. I loved it.” Despite Nicks’ desire to record it for her debut, Petty felt a personal connection so strong that he couldn’t part with it. He said, “I remember bringing it to [producer] Jimmy Iovine and he said, ‘God, when I asked for a song I didn’t expect this!’ And I was really attached to it. And it really hurt me when I did the track and the vocals.”
Though the offer stood, Petty turned it down. He faced the difficult decision of saying no to a friend and collaborator because the song was too personal. He softly told Nicks, ‘Stevie, I can’t give you this,’ and she replied understandingly, ‘Well, I can relate to that. I completely understand. I’ll take something else.’
Interestingly, both “Insider” (kept by Petty) and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (shared) were released around the same time. That presented an awkward radio situation for The Heartbreakers, with programs hesitant to play two songs by the same artist simultaneously. But for Petty it wasn’t about radio strategy—it was about truth.
“Insider” went on to become a deep-cut favourite among devoted fans. It stands as a testament to the creative integrity that defined Petty’s approach: music rooted in honesty and personal struggle, not just commercial success.
In choosing to keep the song, Tom Petty reaffirmed his identity—not just as a writer of hits, but as a guardian of the music that meant more than fame.
