To Find A Friend Lyrics
He left his wife
And ran off to be bad
Boy, it was sad
But he bought a new car
Found a new bar
And went under another name
Created a whole new game
Everything changed, then changed again
It's hard to find a friend
It's hard to find a friend
His wife's boyfriend moved in and
Took over the house
Everybody was quiet as a mouse
And it changed their lives
Changed their plans
Slowly they grew apart
Boy, it woulda broke your heart
Everything changed, then changed again
It's hard to find a friend
It's hard to find a friend

To me, it is about the aftermath of a failed marriage from the perspective of the husband, then the perspective of the wife. The guy hit a midlife crisis and decided to find his own happiness, but could never find a friend to replace his wife. His wife tried to move on, but also couldn't find a friend to replace her husband.
It's hard to find a friend, so think long & hard before letting one go.

I don't think it's so much about the divorce, I think it's just kinda about this wife who can't find anyone. Her husband runs off to make a whole new life, then her new boyfriend ultimately doesn't fit the part. The days are passing by and she can't seem to find a friend.

Obviously about a divorce and how it affects the family / children.

I really like the chorus. I'd like to think theres a deeper meaning but I think what you said is pretty much it.

Ya, I dont think that there is a whole lot hidden in this song. Essentially, what you hear is what you get. Fairly self explanitory

Like everyone else said, self explanatory song. First Tom Petty song I ever loved.

The lines about "it changed their lives/it changed their plans" seem to be about children getting buffered by all of this, and are achingly sad. Very well painted by a guy who never got enough credit for his lyrics.