One Of Tom Petty’s Most Famous Songs Debuts In America

Before he passed away in October 2017, Tom Petty had already proven himself to be a rock star in America, one who scored many successful singles throughout his career. His popularity, however, didn’t immediately translate when the streaming era began, as many of his most diehard listeners already owned his albums. It took time for some of his collections to find their footing on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and other similar sites.

At the time of his death, Petty had only landed one hit on Billboard’s Rock Streaming Songs chart, but that number exploded as people rushed to listen to his catalog once the sad news was shared. Since then, Petty hasn’t collected a new hit on that tally, until this week.

“American Girl” Debuts on the Rock Streaming Songs Chart

“American Girl” debuts at No. 22 on Billboard’s ranking of the most-streamed rock-only cuts in the United States. Petty, alongside his band the Heartbreakers, collects an eighth hit on the Rock Streaming Songs chart as the tune arrives. The celebrated musician hasn’t launched a tune on the tally since October 2017, just after his passing.

As it opens at No. 22, “American Girl” takes over from “Runnin’ Down a Dream” as Petty’s lowest-peaking track on this list. The tune launches on the rock streaming tally after fans across the country turned to it in celebration of the Fourth of July holiday.

Tom Petty and Zach Bryan Score the Week’s Only Debuts

Petty scores one of only two debuts on the Rock Streaming Songs ranking this frame. Zach Bryan launches “River Washed Hair” at No. 4.

The lack of competition helps several classics by some of the biggest names in rock history return to the same list. Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” and “Take It Easy” by the Eagles all reenter the Rock Streaming Songs chart at Nos. 15, 17, 21, and 25, respectively.

Among that bunch, Springsteen’s classic — which is also on the rise thanks to the Fourth of July — reaches a never-before-seen high point as it reappears.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/07/18/one-of-tom-pettys-most-famous-songs-debuts-in-america/