Refugee

Stand your ground with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' powerful 1979 rock anthem, "Refugee." A signature track from the classic Damn the Torpedoes album, this song hits hard with driving guitars, insistent keyboards, and Petty's defiant vocals delivering a message of liberation.

Featured on the landmark 1979 album Damn the Torpedoes and released as a hit single in early 1980, "Refugee" became one of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' defining songs. Its potent blend of straightforward rock and heartland rock sensibilities resonated strongly with audiences worldwide.

Driven by Mike Campbell's iconic guitar work and Benmont Tench's keyboards, this 1979 rock classic captures a spirit of defiance and resilience. Petty's impassioned delivery urges listeners not to live constrained, making "Refugee" an enduring heartland rock anthem about finding freedom.

SONG MEANING: The song addresses someone who feels trapped by past hurt or a bad situation, urging them to stop living like a "refugee" in their own life. It's a powerful message about claiming personal freedom, demanding better treatment, and realizing that nobody has to endure mistreatment or live in fear ("Everybody's had to fight to be free").