Tom Petty – It’s Good to Be King: A Dreamer’s Anthem

Hearing It’s Good to Be King for the First Time

The first time I heard Tom Petty’s “It’s Good to Be King,” it felt like he’d crawled inside my head and set my daydreams to music. That slow, hypnotic groove, the way his voice drifts between confidence and melancholy — it’s the kind of song that makes you stop what you’re doing and listen.

I was sitting on my porch with the radio on when it came through the speakers, and I remember thinking: this isn’t just another Tom Petty single. This is him opening a window into his inner world.

A Standout from Wildflowers

Released in 1994 on Petty’s beloved solo album Wildflowers, “It’s Good to Be King” became one of the record’s centerpiece tracks. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album stripped away the gloss of ’80s rock and gave Petty the freedom to be raw, reflective, and at times vulnerable.

The song isn’t about ruling a kingdom or chasing glory. Instead, it’s about imagination, the comfort of dreaming, and the bittersweet feeling of wanting more than reality sometimes gives you.

Lyrics That Hit Home

“It’s good to be king, just for a while…” — that line alone has stuck with me for decades. It’s playful on the surface, but the way Petty sings it, you know he’s not really talking about power. He’s talking about escape. About how even daydreams can be a kind of crown when real life feels heavy.

What makes the song so moving is the balance between wistfulness and humor. There’s a sly grin in there, but also an undercurrent of longing. Like so much of Wildflowers, it feels deeply human.

The Music: A Slow-Building Masterpiece

Musically, “It’s Good to Be King” is a slow burn. Mike Campbell’s guitar lines weave through the verses like gentle waves, while Benmont Tench’s piano adds just the right amount of color. The arrangement builds layer by layer until it finally swells into a majestic, almost orchestral crescendo.

It’s one of those tracks where you realize Petty and the Heartbreakers weren’t just a rock band — they were craftsmen, painting moods with sound.

A Fan’s Memory of Hearing It Live

I was lucky enough to catch Tom Petty live in the mid-’90s, and when he played “It’s Good to Be King,” the whole crowd leaned in. It wasn’t the fist-pumping singalong of “American Girl” or the rebellious shout of “Refugee.” It was quieter, more reflective. People swayed, eyes closed, letting the song wash over them.

That night, I realized this track wasn’t just one of my favorites — it was one of Petty’s most powerful pieces.

Why It’s Good to Be King Still Matters

Nearly 30 years after its release, “It’s Good to Be King” still feels like a secret shared between Tom Petty and his fans. It’s a reminder that even the smallest fantasies can feel like freedom, that dreaming is as vital as breathing.

For me, it’s a song I go back to when life feels too ordinary. I’ll put it on, close my eyes, and let Petty crown me in my own little daydream. And honestly? It really is good to be king, even just for a while.