Tom Petty’s career was full of timeless songs and unforgettable stories. One of the most interesting ones comes from his friendship and collaboration with Stevie Nicks. Most people know their 1981 hit “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”, but behind that song lies another story — about a track Petty loved too much to let go of.
When Stevie Nicks was working on her first solo album Bella Donna, she asked Petty to write something for her. He came up with a song called “Insider.” At first, it seemed perfect for her album. Petty said later, “It was one of my best songs up to that point. I loved it.” But when he recorded it in the studio, he realized the song was just too personal.
Petty described how torn he felt: “I was really attached to it. And it really hurt me when I did the track and the vocals.” Even though he had promised Stevie a song, he couldn’t let this one go. So, he told her honestly, “Stevie, I can’t give you this.”
Instead of being upset, Nicks completely understood. She told him, “Well, I can relate to that. I completely understand. I’ll take something else.” That “something else” turned out to be “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” which became a massive hit and helped launch her solo career.
Meanwhile, Petty kept “Insider” for his own album with The Heartbreakers, Hard Promises, released the same year. The song became a fan favorite, known for its emotional lyrics and soft honesty. It’s a song about being part of something yet still feeling distant — a reflection of Petty’s thoughtful songwriting style.
The story of “Insider” shows who Tom Petty really was — not just a hitmaker, but an artist who valued truth and emotion over fame. He could have given the song away for more exposure, but instead, he chose to protect it because it meant something personal.
In the end, both songs — “Insider” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” — came out in 1981, linked forever by friendship and respect between two rock legends. One became a chart-topping duet, and the other, a quiet gem that revealed the heart of Tom Petty’s music.