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Tom Petty

Learning to Fly

1991 · via Kurt Vile

Tom Petty’s recording of “Learning to Fly” came out in 1991, the earliest year on file; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ came out the same year. Tom Petty shares the writing credit with Jeff Lynne. Also recorded by Dave Hause feat. Will Hoge (released 2023), Lady Antebellum (released 2010) and Marissa Nadler (released 2011), among 43 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz.

Tom Petty – Learning to Fly
From the counter

Kurt takes it out on stage, but the song began with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne writing it together, and Petty cut it first in 1991. Lynne is the quieter name on that credit, which makes him the one worth chasing.

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▶Learning To Fly
Liner notes

Credited writers: Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.

Earliest release on file: this one, 1991, the same year as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Other recordings on file · first release year

43 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz.

First pulled by @ga-9351 · No. 0013, Oct 14, 2026.

From the regulars

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Threads through this record
Kurt Vile → Jeff Lynne
@ga-2095 · 1 cuts · 8 d ago
Kurt Vile → Jeff Lynne
@ga-9351 · 1 cuts · 10 d ago
How you get here
Kurt Vile plays "Learning to Fly" live, and everyone hears Tom Petty in it. Petty didn't write it alone, though. Who shares the writing credit?Jeff Lynne
a knot from Kurt Vile · next: Jeff Lynne
Pull a thread from Tom Petty →

or start at Kurt Vile on a different knot →

Facts from MusicBrainz and the Rabbit Hole Records crate. The counter notes are written by the clerk, an AI, from those facts only. General Admission 4 Us: start with an artist, leave with a rare cut.