Tom Petty described ‘End of the Line’ as the song that captured everything great about the Traveling Wilburys, calling it a perfect expression of the group’s warmth, humour and shared musical chemistry. The article argues that the track showed how a supergroup of major stars could work naturally together, without allowing ego or expectation to overwhelm the music.

The Traveling Wilburys comprised Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne, and released ‘End of the Line’ on their 1988 debut album, *Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1*. Its reflective message about ageing and carrying on gained added poignancy after Orbison’s death later that year; the video was revised to include his empty rocking chair and guitar. The band ultimately made two albums and never toured, prioritising the enjoyment of the collaboration over the pressures of a conventional band career.