Hear the New Tom Petty Song "Gainesville"

Tom Petty An American Treasure artwork, created by Shepard Fairey from an image by photographer Mark Seliger.

In just over a week, Tom Petty’s estate will release a comprehensive new box-set titled An American Treasure featuring four CDs worth of previously unreleased and hard-to-find Petty music. The career-spanning 60-track collection includes both live and studio recordings compiled by Petty’s daughter Adria, wife Dana and former collaborators including Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell. A press release announcing the set describes it as “a tribute and love letter pointing to the music in between the hits.”

Today, in anticipation of the September 28^th album release, a new track has been revealed. “Gainesville” is a laid back rock tune that pays homage to the late musician’s hometown. Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded the track in 1998 as part of the studio sessions that eventually led to the group’s 1999 LP Echo.

Ryan Ulyate, who also helped compile the box set, told Rolling Stone,“‘Gainesville’ is this guy who is looking back on this early life with some nostalgia for a simpler time. I love the song. It’s just great, but I can see how it didn’t necessarily fit the vibe of Echo. There’s also “Bus To Tampa Bay” from the Hypnotic Eye sessions. It’s a social commentary song, but the album ended up being a little edgier and so it didn’t fit.”