I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty
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Well, I won't back down No, I won't back down You can stand me up at the gates of hell 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 (I won't back down) Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out (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 (I won't back down) Hey, I will stand my ground 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 (I won't back down) Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out (I won't back down) Hey, I will stand my ground And I won't back down No, I won't back down
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Written by: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
Lyrics © Gone Gator Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"I Won't Back Down" was written in 1981 by Tom Petty, the lead singer of the Heartbreakers, along with Jeff Lynne, a member of the Electric Light Orchestra.
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Album DataThe song is a single from Tom Petty's first solo album, "Full Moon Fever," which was released in 1989.
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Chart PerformanceUpon its release, "I Won't Back Down" peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States.
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Song InspirationTom Petty said that the inspiration for "I Won't Back Down" came from his resolution to fight the fall of originality in the music industry and stand up for what he believed in.
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Music Video FactsThe music video for the song features cameo appearances by George Harrison, who also played the guitar for the track, and Ringo Starr.
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Tribute IntentionsThe song was played as a tribute to Tom Petty at the 2017 American Music Awards following his death earlier that year.
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Legal BattleThe singers of the 2014 hit song "Stay With Me," Sam Smith and Tom Petty, reached an out of court settlement after Petty's team noticed similarities between the two songs. As a result, Petty and Lynne were credited as co-writers on "Stay With Me."
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Uses in Political CampaignsVarious political figures, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump, have used "I Won't Back Down" in their campaigns before they were asked to remove it.
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Public ResponseThe song's lyrics on optimism and resilience have resonated with many listeners, leading it to become a popular anthem during times of crisis such as after the September 11 attacks and following Petty's death.
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered the song throughout the years, ranging from Johnny Cash to Ed Sheeran.
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Citation
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"I Won't Back Down Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/285236/Tom+Petty/I+Won%27t+Back+Down>.
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