Tom Petty – I Won't Back Down

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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
(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)
I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
No I won't back down

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Lyrics submitted by oofus

Track duration: 02:56

"I Won't Back Down" as written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Won't Back Down song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Lots of info on the real meaning of this song here, as well as some history:

    "Before recording Full Moon Fever, an arsonist burned down Petty's house while he was in it. He escaped 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, and the fire was a huge influence. Petty felt grateful to be alive, and the whole incident had a calming effect on him."

    also

    "George W. Bush used this in his 2000 Presidential campaign. When Petty found out, he threatened to sue, as he did not support Bush. Bush stopped using the song but won the election anyway. Petty's home state of Florida decided the election when Bush won the state by a very slim margin."

    songfacts.com/…
    Flag Iemanja75on January 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oh my gosh this song reminds me of the good ol days when i met my first...where did those days go, i sure as hell don't know where...I WON'T BACK DOWN
    Flag passmebyon November 29, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Bring it on
    Flag bkabbotton April 23, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:In the end of september of 09', i bought a 100 pill bottle of tylenol at the supermarket and was planning to try to kill myself. On the way home from the store, this song played on the radio and when i got back home i flushed the pills down the toilet. This song means alot to me now and i believe that i am meant to be alive
    Flag ThinkSolutionson February 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:In the end of september of 09', i bought a 100 pill bottle of tylenol at the supermarket and was planning to try to kill myself. On the way home from the store, this song played on the radio and when i got back home i flushed the pills down the toilet. This song means alot to me now and i believe that i am meant to be alive
    Flag ThinkSolutionson February 02, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:I think Tom wrote this about a personal experience he had. But the message is simple & can apply to anyone: Stick to your guns. Don't compromise your values. Uphold your principles. Stand your ground, even if it makes you unpopular. That's how I look at it & how I try to live my life.
    Flag rockinazon August 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song I think it's one of my favorite songs that Tom Petty did.
    Me and my bastfriend/ex Jason use to listen to this song all the time and
    we say we'd never become are, well his Dad, and my Bio Mom. And no matter
    what happened we wouldn't back down. Well, Jason found away to forgive his dad and
    were not really that great of friends at this moment but i hope he doesn't change and stands his
    ground. oh well I can't change him and I'm not going to try, cause it up to him. I love you Jason tho so be careful and don't forget that I love you always.
    Flag darbynicoleXDon July 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This rocks! the song is exactly what is saying I won't back down from anything... bring it on....
    Flag singingsunshineon June 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:very obvious meaning. they played this on an episode of 7th Heaven
    Flag Joe Mama 1057on April 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:bryan b, tom petty is three times the artist johnny cash is, and i really dont think that he preformed wont back down better that tp himself. Tom is an amazing artist. he hits everypoint in life. At every single moment of my day, i could sum an event up with a TP song. Hes written so many just about everyday stuff that its impossible not to be able to connect with any and all of them. Even now, i consider this like runnin down a dream, cuz im writing this as im driving around the city listening to the radio with my laptop in my lap. Oddly enough, its also raining.
    Flag shutout30on September 15, 2008   Link

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