Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – I Won’t Back Down

“I Won’t Back Down” – Single by Tom Petty from the album Full Moon Fever
B-side: “The Apartment Song” / “Don’t Treat Me Like a Stranger”
Released: April 1989
Label: MCA
Songwriters: Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne
Producers: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell
Charted No.12 in US and No.28 in UK

Before recording Full Moon Fever, an arsonist burned down Tom Petty’s house while he was in it with his family and their housekeeper. They escaped, but Petty was badly shaken and spent much of the next few months driving between hotel rooms and a rented house.

It was on these drives that he came up with many of the songs for the album; the fire was a huge influence, especially on this song. Petty felt grateful to be alive, but also traumatized – understandable considering someone had tried to kill him.

“I Won’t Back Down” was his way of reclaiming his life and getting past the torment – he said that writing and recording the song had a calming effect on him.

Music video by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers performing I Won’t Back Down. (C) 1989 Geffen Records.