![]() ![]() That lyrical universality has contributed to the song’s status as both a cover-band standard and one of Petty’s most covered tunes - including, in a roundabout way, by one Sam Smith, who had to add Petty and co-writer Jeff Lynne to the credits for his massive hit “Stay With Me,” because its melodic similarities to “I Won’t Back Down” are undeniable (even if Smith claimed, somewhat outrageously given the song’s standing in the American rock canon, that he’d never heard the song before). Petty’s signature straightforward, direct lyrics make “I Won’t Back Down” an all-purpose anthem of resilience and struggle against oppression, meaning it’s become a common soundtrack for political campaigns, sports programming, and protests of all stripes - and had a second life as a radio hit in the patriotic aftermath of 9/11. Written after an arsonist attempted to burn down Petty’s home in 1987, “I Won’t Back Down” is a response to a specific event that has become an iconic American song in large part for the malleability of that response. No less than Hillary Clinton played “American Girl” at rallies in 2008, perhaps neglecting the ultimately prophetic line, “Ain’t it so painful / when something that is so close / is still so far out of reach.” Had this been the only song Petty ever recorded, it might be enough to cement his reputation. 'What theyd clearly done was take the song Jim and I had written, jettisoned the lyrics, and tacked it on to the end of Erics song. It’s been used in TV and movies many, many times, recently closing out the Emmy-winning first season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Break Down Lyrics by Tom Petty from the In the Coliseum album - including song video, artist biography, translations and more: Its alright if you love me. They played it for Clapton when they went to England to record with him. “American Girl” has come to stand for a certain kind of yearning Americana. (Despite all of this, the song didn’t perform all that well on the US charts, never quite breaking into the top 100. With its nervously jangling guitar riff and its classic opening couplet (“She was an American girl / raised on promises”), the song declares its intentions almost immediately - something Petty was particularly skilled at.īut “American Girl” also gets at the heart of Petty’s great thematic concern: the lives of ordinary people who can’t escape either their circumstances or the perhaps foolhardy dreams they can’t give up. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It was originally recorded by rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was first released in 1976. If Petty’s entire legacy were somehow reduced to just one song, it would probably be “American Girl,” the closing track (and second single) off Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ self-titled debut. Printable Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Breakdown sheet music and PDF score arranged for Ukulele. Breakdown, honey go ahead and give it to me.
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