The Last DJ

Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker's song "The Last DJ" confronts greed in the music industry. The DJ mentioned in the song doesn't want to go along with what he's being told to do. The lyric "the top brass don't like him talking so much" suggests that he's being told not to speak or show his personality between songs. This is most likely because his personality could push away some potential viewers, which would effect profits for station executives. Despite executives trying to control the DJ's actions, he continues to speak and play songs that he chooses. These actions lead to the DJ operating a "new station down in Mexico". The new station allows him to be free from regulations and continue to do what he wishes while stations in America continue smother freedom. The song ends on the note of "remember[ing] how it was back then", as to remember a time before when music on the radio had more opportunity and expression.