#76 Won’t Back Down

#76 Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

At number #76, we finally see Tom Petty, an American Institution if ever there was one. Tom Petty has been a constant of American music for as long as I can remember – rock’n’roll from the heartland; sort of like Bruce Springsteen …only good.

This track was co-written by Jeff Lynn (as was ‘Learning to Fly’ from the same album, as was ‘Hold on Tight’, as was …let’s just say Mr. Lynn is one of my favourite song-writers), who was also in the Travelling Wilbury’s  (another true super-group – see the entry for Badge by Cream) with George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison, and, of course, Tom Petty.

The lyrics and sentiment of the song speak for themselves and a solid collection of fifths never hurt anyone.

Lyrics

Well I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell

 

The man who writes the songs

 

But I won’t back down

No I’ll stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
… and I won’t back down

Chorus:
(I won’t back down…)
Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down…)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won’t back down

Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I’ll stand my ground
…and I won’t back down

(I won’t back down…)
Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down…)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won’t back down)
and I won’t back down…

(I won’t back down…)
Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
hey I won’t back down
(and I won’t back down)
hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(and I won’t back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won’t back down)
and I won’t back down
(I won’t back down)
No I won’t back down…

 

On the road again ...