For most legendary artists, record sales become an afterthought. While it’s always nice to know fans appreciate new material, the best musicians eventually write for themselves rather than chase hits. Tom Petty was one of those artists—he followed his instincts, fought industry nonsense, and built a career on integrity. But ironically, his best-selling album wasn’t one he was particularly proud of.
Petty was no stranger to battling record labels. He fought tooth and nail to reclaim the rights to his songs, and when he presented Full Moon Fever—featuring classics like Free Fallin’ and I Won’t Back Down—his label initially rejected it. Industry executives often had no idea what they were sitting on, but sometimes, their interference led to surprising results.
Even as Petty carved out his legacy with Southern Accents and Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough), frustrations with MCA Records grew. When the opportunity finally came to part ways, the compromise ended up giving him the biggest commercial success of his career.
What Is the Best-Selling Tom Petty Album?
Despite his deep catalog of beloved records, Petty was never keen on putting together a greatest hits collection. He likely shared the same concerns as the Eagles, who were uneasy about their most famous songs being compiled outside their original albums—until Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) became the best-selling album of the 20th century. Petty must have taken notice.
When Greatest Hits was released in 1993, he treated it as an obligation, recording only two new tracks for it. But one of those tracks, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, became an unexpected classic—proof that even when Petty wasn’t aiming for a hit, he could write one effortlessly.
The album went on to sell over 12 million copies, leaving all of Petty’s studio albums in the dust. It also marked a major shift in the Heartbreakers’ history, as it was the last time drummer Stan Lynch played with the band before his departure. Around the same time, Petty was gearing up for Wildflowers, and Lynch’s absence signaled the end of the band’s rowdier, youthful era.
Even with its massive success, Petty was never satisfied with Greatest Hits. Years later, he would put together Anthology: Through The Years, a more refined collection of his best work. While the first compilation captured the songs that ruled the radio, it left out deep cuts like Southern Accents, which Petty considered essential.
In the end, the album that outsold everything wasn’t the one he poured his heart into—it was just another music industry move. And yet, despite his reservations, Greatest Hits remains the definitive entry point for countless fans who fell in love with Petty’s music.
