“Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is a reflective, melodic rock song released in June 1991 as the lead single from the album Into the Great Wide Open. Co-written with longtime collaborator Jeff Lynne (of ELO), the track combines heartfelt simplicity with a gentle sense of resilience and freedom.
Musically, the song is stripped-back and airy, built around a repeating four-chord progression and a laid-back rhythm. Petty’s signature raspy vocals deliver the lyrics in a calm, almost resigned tone, which contrasts with the hopeful imagery of the title. Lyrically, it’s not just about flight in the literal sense—it’s about growing up, taking risks, and facing life’s difficulties. The words are deceptively simple but carry emotional weight, making the song widely relatable. It reflects both personal struggle and quiet determination, which became a hallmark of Petty’s songwriting.
“Learning to Fly” was a major hit, especially on rock radio, where it topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for six weeks. Though it didn’t crack the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became one of Petty’s most beloved and enduring songs, often included in live sets and retrospectives.