Baseball Related Songs: “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
In today’s episode of “Baseball Related Songs,” we pay attention to “I Won’t Back Down” performed by Tom Petty, which has a clear link to baseball thanks to College Baseball.
The song “I Won’t Back Down” dates back to 1989. It was released in April of that year as lead single from Tom Petty’s first solo album, named Full Moon Fever. The song was co-written by Petty and Jeff Lynne, the frontman of Electric Light Orchestra. The song reached number twelve in the Billboard Hot 100.
According to Tom Petty, “George Harrison sang and played the guitar at the session. I (Petty) had a terrible cold that day, and George went to the store and bought a ginger root, boiled it and had me stick my head in the pot to get the ginger steam to open up my sinuses, and then I ran in and did the take.” The song was written in response to an arson incident that took place at Petty’s home in 1987.
After 9/11/2001, the song was played often on American radio due to its themes. Petty and the Heartbreakers played a quiet but resolute version of the song at the America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon.
In the video that was made for the song, several big names of the music business made an appearance: Jeff Lynne (bass), Mike Campbell (electric guitar), George Harrison (acoustic guitar and backing vocals), and Harrison’s Beatles band mate Ringo Starr (drums).
But what is the relationship to baseball?
In 2010, the TCU Frogs used the song as a motivational anthem during their run to the College World Series in 2010, which coincided with a Tom Petty concert in the same city. While Petty’s own connection to the sport was primarily his childhood experience playing Little League, the song’s message of resilience and determination has resonated with many athletes, including those on the TCU team. The team’s drive and determination mirrored the song’s message of perseverance and standing strong in the face of adversity.
Lyrics:
Well, I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down
You could 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
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 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)
And I won’t back down
I won’t back hey, baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey, 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)
And I won’t back down (I won’t back down)
No, I won’t back down