# Tom Petty loved country music. In 1997, he dismissed its modern sound as “shitty rock music”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/tom-petty-loved-country-music-in-1997-he-dismissed-its-modern-sound-as-shitty-rock-music/
- Published: 2026-11-02T20:34:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T21:22:07+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/one-genre-tom-petty-thought-should-die/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Tom Petty criticised country’s commercial pop-rock turn in the 1990s.
- He said arena-style production weakened the genre’s identity.
- Country later grew into a major international crossover sound.

## Summary

Tom Petty criticised the direction of mainstream country music in the late 1990s, arguing that its increasingly pop-rock sound and arena-style production had displaced the genre’s authenticity. His remarks reflected concern that commercial priorities and industry tactics were shaping music more than sincere songwriting.

In an interview with BAM, Petty called the new sound “shitty rock music” and said it seemed designed to attract younger listeners who wanted something between country and rock. He favoured country from the 1950s and early 1960s, citing Johnny Cash’s view that some country music appealed to people who disliked country. The article contrasts Petty’s criticism with country’s later international growth and crossover success.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.