I’ve already covered this song by the Searchers, but I love it so much that I wanted to revisit it with another version. This time it’s Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with a little help from Stevie Nicks. The song was written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche and was first recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963. The Searchers took it to another level the following year with their hit version. I’ve always thought this was one of those songs that helped lay the groundwork for power pop. Those jangling guitars, great harmonies, and catchy melody have everything I love about the genre.
Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded their version live at the Forum in Los Angeles in 1981, and it was later included on their 1985 album Pack Up the Plantation: Live! Stevie Nicks joins Tom on vocals, and the two work wonderfully together. Their voices complement each other, and the band gives the song a little more rock and roll muscle without losing what made the original so good. Petty was a big fan of the music that influenced him, and this was another example of him tipping his hat to an earlier generation, which he did quite often.
I love the Searchers’ version, but this is another one that deserves attention. Tom Petty had a great ear for a song, and he knew how to make an older recording sound fresh without trying to change everything about it. Having Stevie Nicks along makes it even better. It’s a great song that has been recorded by several artists over the years, but these two certainly did it justice. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent a song…just know what made it special in the first place.
Needles and Pins
I saw her today, I saw her face
It was the face I loved and I knew
I had to run away
And get down on my knees and pray
That there’d come a day
And still it begins
Because of all my pride
The tears I gotta hide
Oh, I thought I was smart, I wanted her
Didn’t think I’d do, but now I see
She’s worse to him than me
Let her go ahead, take his love instead
And one day she will see
Just how to say please
And get down on her knees
Yeah, that’s how it begins
She’ll feel those needles and pins
A-hurtin her, a-hurtin her
Why can’t I stop and tell myself I’m wrong, I’m wrong, so wrong
Why can’t I stand up and tell myself I’m strong
Because I saw her today, I saw her face
It was the face I loved and I knew
I had to run away
And get down on my knees and pray
That there’d come a day
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In the world of Petty, Pack Up The Plantation has to be the most underrated album in his catalog. Sure it’s a live album but no one ever talks about it. Such a killer recording and Tom and the Heartbreakers deliver the goods. I originally bought this on cassette at the time for the Walkman and found a decent used copy on vinyl a few years back. Needles and Pins is a great track. Awesome pick and writeup Sir!
I bought it second hand at a shop and wore it out. I agree…it is an underated live album or album period. I saw them a decade later because of this album…
deKe I agree
I prefer this version of the song
It is really good…
This Petty/Nicks duet is excellent. She brings an energy to his music/voice we don’t usually hear. (And the little girl playing bass on “Sledgehammer” which followed this vid was a real bonus!)
Normally I don’t like the cover as much as the original…but this one they do such a great job on it.
I’ll have to check that out…I didn’t see it!
Yeah, it started playing right after Tom & Stevie. You’ll love it!
Cool!
Great song which in my head i thought was by the Byrds first! But I remember this version more and Tom did it very well.
He really did…he didn’t try to change anything…just kept the jangle and it worked.
This version by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is my all-time favorite cover of ‘Needles and Pins.’ I might go as far as saying I even prefer it over the great original by The Searchers.
The first rendition of the song I heard was by English band Smokie back in 1977. They were extremely popular in Germany and got plenty of airtime on the radio.
It’s the same group who released one of the most annoying ’70s songs I can think of: ‘Living Next Door to Alice’! 🤣
Yes I know that band! I’ll check that out as soon as I get back home. Bailey and I are on our way to see the new Godzilla flick
Enjoy! 🙂
I have a problem with a lot of the comments. Not the content of the comments, just the verbiage.
First of all, while the Searchers had the first hit with the song, I don’t like calling it the original. I admit, it really doesn’t matter. But I doubt the song was written specifically for the Searchers. Yes, I am being a curmudgeon, and take it for what it is worth. (Absolutely nothing, he said with a grin.)
I’m not sure I have a favorite version of this song, but the first that comes to mind is the one by Linda Ronstadt on one of the Capitol albums. Killer.
I am not a big Tom Petty fan. How can anybody match the perfection of the first two albums?
Like I said, I’m just a curmudgeon.
🙂
When I hear this version i think of those first couple albums.
I can be a curmudgeon as well on things… believe me! That’s the best part of getting older.
Yep, Petty updates it but doesn’t change the foundations of it, just brightens and moderns it up.
I always thought the lyrics were, ‘I thought I was smart, I’d won her heart?’ But hey, I’ve been mishearing lyrics since I first heard ‘Stuff The Magic Wagon’ so…
Even when I find out about correct lyrics i still go back to the tried and true “misheard” ones. They feel right
Lol. Like in ‘Brown Eyed Girl, I hear ‘gunning down the old man’ and I always will!
So many obb. One of my favorites is off a John Prine live album ‘That’s The Way The World Goes Round”. A woman come up to him and wants to hear his song about ‘The Happy Enchilada” classic Prine humor. She got the words all messed up
The magic wagon… I’ve never heard that before… now I will when I hear it!
Your last sentence nails it. Petty had that jingle jangle sound from his first few records. Love it.
Petty had the jingle jangle down from the very start. There’s a reason why. McGuinn covered American Girl before the first album came out. I’m not saying McGuinn’s version is better, I’m just saying McGuinn respected what he heard. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were great from the first album and that live radio only release.
Yup ‘American Girl’ has the sound
But is it “pins” or “pinza”? 😉
I agree with you…it sure sounds like pinza
Love the Searcher’s version. This is good, but not on its level. I might even prefer the Ramones’ version, too.
Ah….I like that version! I just heard it
I hear a strong Byrds influence here, both in the guitar and even in Petty’s vocals, which remind me of McGuinn’s. Big vibes of – I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better here.
Excellent backing from Stevie, too. Great track, Max, and thanks for introducing me to it!