Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Breakdown

David, there were actually two different "Breakdown" 45 releases on
Shelter issued in 1977. As it reads, your question can't be fully answered
until I first add some background details.

Petty's self-titled, debut LP was released around November of 1976. The
1st 45 release from the album was "Breakdown", b/w "The Wild One,
Forever", as Shelter/ABC 62006, in January 1977. This is the *only* 45
release of "Breakdown" with a listed time of (2:42) and with no mention of
"edited from the LP, TP & The H" on the label. (FYI, current db CDs have
runtimes for the track ranging from (2:39) to (2:41).)   

This initial "Breakdown" single totally stiffed out in the U.S. As a result,
few copies were ever pressed, making both promo and stock 45s rare. But
I was luckily able to locate/buy a Shelter/ABC 62006 promo 45 online just
now, and I will provide its timing details when it arrives to me in the mail.

We both strongly suspect that the Shelter/ABC 62006 45 listed (2:42)
timing, absent the "edit" notation, will exactly mimic the original LP
version. Still, I'm curious to 100% confirm this, too (which is why I just
bought the early 45), so I'm very glad you've raised the question here, my
friend! Crazy how some edits end up being so brief in total seconds cut, it
hardly seems worth it.

Meanwhile, Petty and his band managed to land a spot as an opening act
on Nils Lofgren's 1977 UK tour. Some nice, positive band buzz had come
from their live shows across the pond, so Shelter decided to try to
capitalize on that fact by issuing "Breakdown" as a U.S. single for a second
time, around October of 1977. Shelter was a small label and didn't release
many singles, so the new "Breakdown" stock # was only two digits higher
than its previous 45 release. Now issued as Shelter/ABC 62008, and this
time b/w "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)". It debuted on the Hot 100 in
early November '77, before peaking at exactly #40 in 2/78.

Both the stock 45 and the stereo side of my Shelter 62008 promo 45 have
listed times of (2:39), actual times of (2:38), and handwritten deadwax
info of "SR-62008-AS RE-1 1A". And I"ll soon be following up with both
the early 45 actual time and a compare/contrast of the two 45s, searching
for that possible small edit/final piece of the puzzle.

Edited by jimct

I'll be anxious to know if the listings in the database
that are 2:40-2:41 run slower than the 45 or if the 45
fades out earlier.

I can't imagine what would be edited out. lol.

These days, both Breakdown and American Girl are Classic
Rock staples.

Thanks, Jim, for sending me the dubs. I hear no edits at all. The only thing I
can tell is that the 2nd 45 runs about :03 faster than the original issue.