Elvis Costello and The Attractions or Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

pretty sure I posted this one in the 'cover songs better than originals' thread

 

Depends on my mood. Love them both. I actually met Tom Petty years ago after his concert in Houston, which was pretty cool.

 

Costello = Critics' choice

Petty = mainstream choice

That really is the difference although Petty was more heartland rock and Costello was somewhat punk (early) then post-punk and of course new wave that gradually morphed into respectable singer songwriter.

 

Not a huge fan of Costello...but I do like this song and remember it getting tons of airplay on MTV back in the day...



Not a huge fan of Petty...but I do like his mainstream hits...and also remember this video getting lots of rotation on MTV...

awesome video btw...

 

Tom Petty never got banned by SNL and Tom Petty never had Beastie Boys as his backup band.

Hard to beat as a stand-alone single:

 

if this were a british message board those poll numbers would probably be flipped.

im 'murican so its tom petty/lucky kleinschmidt all day for me.

im a fan of elvis, but petty has written so many iconic, classic jams. elvis is great. petty is all-time great. hes just on a different level.

10 best elvis songs vs 10 best petty songs - to me its petty obvious who wins.

 

Elvis Costello every day.

I love Tom Petty, though.