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Album: Damn The Torpedos
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1182









Released: 1979
Length: 3:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
We got somethin', we both know it
We don't talk too much about it
Ain't no real big secret all the same
Somehow we get around it

Listen, it don't really matter to me, baby
You believe what you want to believe
You see, you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)

Somewhere, somehow, somebody
Must have kicked you around some
Tell me why you wanna lay there
And revel in your abandon

Honey, it don't make no difference to me, baby
Everybody's had to fight to be free
You see, you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)
Now baby, you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)

Baby, we ain't the first
I'm sure a lot of other lovers been burned
Right now this seems real to you
But it's one of those things
You gotta feel to be true

Somewhere, somehow, somebody
Must have kicked you around some
Who knows, maybe you were kidnapped
Tied up, taken away, and held for ransom
Honey, it don't really matter to me, baby
Everybody's had to fight to be free

You see, you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)
No you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)
Baby you don't have to live like a refugee
(Don't have to live like a refugee)
Comments (98)add comment
My "Oh I gotta find out who this band is" song for Petty. 
Honestly, probably not his/their best, but still a solid 9 in my book, as much for the memories as the musicality.
I was 15 walking around the neighborhood with my little portable radio/8 track player. This song just brings me all the way back to that time. Not a care in the world.
Uriah Heep?



Posted 9 years ago by cakkafracle:

Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?



jpstfx28 wrote:

deep purple?
 dew34 wrote:

 I owned a black 86 CRX Si, best car ever and my cassette deck played songs even Bill doesn't have. Didn't really appreciate Tom Petty then, like him now more, however. Never played any of the Camaro or Firebird songs!{#Motor}



Love Tom Petty; but when he screams "Oh, Oh, Oh" all I hear is Sam Kinison"!
 Stingray wrote:
One of Petty's best - NEW ALBUM OUT SOON, FOLKS!!!
 

Unfortunately not anytime soon  :( 
watching the documentary "Running down a Dream" on youtube now.
Peter Bogdonovich  directed and is good.
{#Guitarist}This man really rocks, everything he has ever done works for me, may age not diminish him.{#Guitarist}
Tom Petty's BEST song.  One of the best regardless of who did it!
One of Petty's best - NEW ALBUM OUT SOON, FOLKS!!!

This is a brilliant song from a magnificent album...  love it...
 jpstfx28 wrote:
Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?

 
deep purple?
 ziakut wrote:

It's exciting when a roach behaves precisely the way it should.
 

{#Lol}{#Lol}{#Roflol}

What out or he'll send you nasty PM!!
 a_genuine_find wrote:


{#Think} ... except Refugee was recorded in 1979 and Run to You in 1984, so shouldn't Run to You sound remind you of Refugee {#Ask}

 
Yes, I can see (and hear) that Bryan Adams was listening a lot to Tom Petty in the 70's!
ANYTHING off the first or second effort is better than this.
 Baby_M wrote:

VW GTI Mk.V, bone stock.  Back in the day, it was a 1985 Honda CRX (the guys in Camaros were playing Bon Jovi, Van Halen, and Nightranger).
 
 I owned a black 86 CRX Si, best car ever and my cassette deck played songs even Bill doesn't have. Didn't really appreciate Tom Petty then, like him now more, however. Never played any of the Camaro or Firebird songs!{#Motor}
 Stingray wrote:


SHUT UP!!!!

This is nothing but a "10"...!

I assume you are sick of yourself!!

 
It's exciting when a roach behaves precisely the way it should.
Not the most challenging and creative song from Petty and the Heartbreakers, but still has an anthem appeal.  Always looking for more new music from Petty, don't want it to end.  Was a heartbreaker for me when Garcia went and brought that wonderment to a peremptory end.
 toomanyollys wrote:
My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}
 
Thats sad.... your office must be clueless
The older I get the more I appreciate Tom Petty.  But this song is definitely in the short list of the most overplayed songs of all time, and I would much rather hear something more obscure by him.
 marie_pain wrote:
I don't know... it reminds a bit of 
Run to you... Bryan Adams.... 
  

 
a_genuine_find wrote:


{#Think} ... except Refugee was recorded in 1979 and Run to You in 1984, so shouldn't Run to You sound remind you of Refugee {#Ask}
 

Which over-played Top-40 single from a bygone era will win the figurative arm wrestling contest for seminal influence on our hearts and minds!?!?

The tension is unbearable. 
 jpstfx28 wrote:
Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?
 

That is such a great set-up for a dirty joke.
Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?
 toomanyollys wrote:
My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}
 

Possibly Canadian elderly-home!
 ziakut wrote:
Sick of it.
 

SHUT UP!!!!

This is nothing but a "10"...!

I assume you are sick of yourself!!

Sick of it.
Blows his (or should I say their stuff?  After all, wasn't it Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers?) newer stuff out of the water!

He sings like he had his tongue numbed with Novocaine first but I still like it {#Music}
 marie_pain wrote:
I don't know... it reminds a bit of
Run to you... Bryan Adams....
 

{#Think} ... except Refugee was recorded in 1979 and Run to You in 1984, so shouldn't Run to You sound remind you of Refugee {#Ask}

Ahhhhh—It's all clear now. This is why I was confused when I liked Mudcrutch, but thought I didn't like Tom Petty.
my old 78 chevy malibu... cranked on a shitty old realistic tape deck....
I'm instantly transported to Sunnyvale California, listening to KOME, 8 years old, playing with Star Wars figures, smashing REC-PLAY on my Realistic brand tape deck as this starts to add this tune to my first-ever mixtape. It's impossible for me to be objective with this tune. It just rocks and brings the warm nostalgia all at once.
 Baby_M wrote:

VW GTI Mk.V, bone stock.  Back in the day, it was a 1985 Honda CRX (the guys in Camaros were playing Bon Jovi, Van Halen, and Nightranger).
 

That is hilarious...and frighteningly true.
Saw them live in 1979-1980 at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda Victoria, it was a great show.  I was trying to impress my mates older sister, I think she was way out of my league.  The show was great anyway.

 gandalfbmg wrote:
The haters can step back, because this is Tom Petty's best song ever.

{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

We don´t hate, we rock! {#Dancingbanana}

 evansdad wrote:
Holy high school, Batman — take II...first The Knack and now TP and the HBs...lots of good memories. Wait a minute — we're talking high school? Never mind...
 
Now, you make me feel old.  There are some of us who actually remember "Fever" when in came out.

The haters can step back, because this is Tom Petty's best song ever.

{#Dancingbanana_2}


 Hannio wrote:


If you play this in the car stereo, you are driving a mid-80's Camaro.  With a No Fear sticker on the back window.

 
VW GTI Mk.V, bone stock.  Back in the day, it was a 1985 Honda CRX (the guys in Camaros were playing Bon Jovi, Van Halen, and Nightranger).


My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}


 MrsAustin wrote:


Moi aussi (that's 'yeah, I'm with ya' in French talk)
 

You sure it doesn't mean "me Australian"?

Holy high school, Batman — take II...first The Knack and now TP and the HBs...lots of good memories. Wait a minute — we're talking high school? Never mind...
 Baby_M wrote:
If you play this in the car stereo, it takes a full second off your 0-60 and quarter-mile times.
 

If you play this in the car stereo, you are driving a mid-80's Camaro.  With a No Fear sticker on the back window.

 Baby_M wrote:
If you play this in the car stereo, it takes a full second off your 0-60 and quarter-mile times.
 
I'm going to have to try that out, I'll let you know if it works.
If you play this in the car stereo, it takes a full second off your 0-60 and quarter-mile times.
funkaholic wrote:
I don't care how over-played this tune may be...it's still a great song. And I'll say this again; the "classic rock" of the 60's, 70's and 80's is still the best ever made.
Well, I can't say there's much Tom Petty I like, but this one is just fantastic. I think there is some really great music being made right now, and thanks to B & R we get to hear it!
I don't care how over-played this tune may be...it's still a great song. And I'll say this again; the "classic rock" of the 60's, 70's and 80's is still the best ever made.
marie_pain wrote:
I don't know... it reminds a bit of Run to you... Bryan Adams....
which came a long time afterwards......
Tom Petty.. one of the Gods of Rock n' Roll. And this song, Refugee, deserves a godlike 10.
This takes me straight back to my high school days!! I just love Petty!!
ScottN wrote:
Yes, straight from AOR and Clear Channel etc., but for some of us for whom RP is the primary broadcast source, it's a treat. Great song. 8.
When music is presented in the correct artistic fashion, even overplayed/popular tunes can gain new life. Anyone that was lucky enough to have listened to old-school progressive radio in the late 60s - early 70s can vouch for that. You'd hear some interesting seques, some weird mixes, and some hits.
Dont have to smell like a refugee...
Tom Petty is moving up on my list of all time great pop musicians. All of his stuff is good.
Now for a little more sell-out rock in case you missed Bono and the Third World Savers.
This WAS a good song but has been so over-played by corporate radio lackies that I if I never hear it again, it will be just fine with me.
Big fan of TP, but I wish he would play more of that guitar of his!
This will forever be associated with the job I had during High School. I sure didn't "get" Tom Petty back then. I absolutely hated this song, but to be fair I was utterly surrounded by people that listened to watered-down, mellow, even for pop music kinda stuff. Mix in a heavy dose of 'Christian' music and friends that listened to nothing else and you can start to get the idea. Phil Keagy, Russ Taff and Bob Bennett were the only rays of light there. I managed to find some good music on my own, but I sure didn't have the music experiences I wish I had back in the 70's and 80's. I guess that's why I enjoy hearing folks relate their concert experiences so much. I'll stop babbling now.
I don't know... it reminds a bit of Run to you... Bryan Adams....
kazuma wrote:
Loses about 4 rating points because of severe and ongoing overplay everywhere else for the last 20 years. Rating: 2
Moi aussi (that's 'yeah, I'm with ya' in French talk)
AliGator wrote:
Nothing is random on RP, so identical segues do appear. Because BillG makes it so.
...and he does it sooooooo well
MiketheKnife wrote:
Worked in radio for years- in 2 countries/languages- thanks for the programming lesson. With all of the music available, an identical segue would ideally be a statistical anomaly- (do the math "genius") unless of course the programmer simply *likes* the segue.
Nothing is random on RP, so identical segues do appear. Because BillG makes it so.
physicsgenius wrote:
You think he's sitting there 24 hours a day? The segues are programmed in, as are many of the station ids.
Worked in radio for years- in 2 countries/languages- thanks for the programming lesson. With all of the music available, an identical segue would ideally be a statistical anomaly- (do the math "genius") unless of course the programmer simply *likes* the segue.
I've come to increasingly respect this band, and this album in particular.
physicsgenius wrote:
You think he's sitting there 24 hours a day? The segues are programmed in, as are many of the station ids.
Oooooooo . . . he really is a genius!
8
Not a huge TP fan but I have always liked this song - an 8.
Baby_M wrote:
10:26 am - Tom Petty - Refugee 10:21 am - New Order - 60 MPH Nice pairing there, Bill. "Refugee" is one of those songs that causes the speedometer needle to go well past "60 MPH."
No, not keen on the pairing myself. Would have preferred the move from Patti to Petty without the nondescript and unremarkable bit in the middle (imho).
6:04 am - Tom Petty - Refugee 6:00 am - New Order - 60 MPH -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5:56 am - Patti Smith - Because The Night
MiketheKnife wrote:
Duplicate Segue (creepy)
You think he's sitting there 24 hours a day? The segues are programmed in, as are many of the station ids.
Baby_M wrote:
10:26 am - Tom Petty - Refugee 10:21 am - New Order - 60 MPH
Duplicate Segue (creepy)
I only gave it a 9 because "American Girl" gets a 10. Brilliant song.
Great song by an very special artist.
KevDog wrote:
I think the comments below reflect more on the tres hip pose of the poster than on the song. Anyway you slice it, this is a great song by one of rock's greatest writers and performers. Good songs deserve to be played often, and in any forum that appreciates good music. I'd rather hear this than some bland music from the next too-cool-for-the-room band. Thanks Bill.
10:26 am - Tom Petty - Refugee 10:21 am - New Order - 60 MPH Nice pairing there, Bill. "Refugee" is one of those songs that causes the speedometer needle to go well past "60 MPH."
I just watched a tape of TP and the Heartbreakers on Soundstage last night. Great show. Mike Campbell is an amazing guitarist. They did a lot of old blues tunes since they were in Chicago. Great show.
ScottN wrote:
Yes, straight from AOR and Clear Channel etc., but for some of us for whom RP is the primary broadcast source, it's a treat. Great song. 8.
I agree who cares great tune! nice little sing-a-long.
Yes, straight from AOR and Clear Channel etc., but for some of us for whom RP is the primary broadcast source, it's a treat. Great song. 8. kazuma wrote:
Loses about 4 rating points because of severe and ongoing overplay everywhere else for the last 20 years. Rating: 2
Loses about 4 rating points because of severe and ongoing overplay everywhere else for the last 20 years. Rating: 2
mojoman wrote:
Another alleged singer who squandered his singing-lessons money on Twinkies and Ho-Ho's.
Nah, he's too skinny. Must have been liquor and cigarettes. He sings without polish, but also without an ounce of artifice. Straight from his redneck heart. And I love him for it.
Baby_M wrote:
It was the fall of 1978, during the Carter administration, the Disco Era, the Energy Crisis, the days of plaid and avocado green and platform shoes and underpowered cars with vinyl roof treatments and stand-up hood ornaments. Prophecies of doom filled the air. In those dark days of despair, this piece just exploded out of the speakers of every stereo in the dorm, blew Kool & The Gang clean off the radio, and gave us hope for the future.
And now here we are in the midst of the dark days of despair of the Bush administration, the semi-post-hip-hop era, the Energy Crisis, the war in Iraq, the days of overpowered SUVs that nobody can afford to fill with gas anymore. Visions of the Rapture fill the air. Once again, this song explodes out of the radio. Only it's an old song, and not really one of Petty's best. So not quite the same effect. One of the few times I'm inclined to go along with the "play something else that hasn't been played to death on commercial radio" crowd. Almost.
Another alleged singer who squandered his singing-lessons money on Twinkies and Ho-Ho's.
It was the fall of 1978, during the Carter administration, the Disco Era, the Energy Crisis, the days of plaid and avocado green and platform shoes and underpowered cars with vinyl roof treatments and stand-up hood ornaments. Prophecies of doom filled the air. In those dark days of despair, this piece just exploded out of the speakers of every stereo in the dorm, blew Kool & The Gang clean off the radio, and gave us hope for the future.
I think I liked Alvin and the Chipmunks' version better. Still pretty good.
the worst Petty ever, and I like Petty. :(
not my favorite petty song, but i'm sad i'm not going to get to see him this tour
Excellent timing RP! I am going to a Tom Petty concert tonight in Ohio! This is always a staple. To the ealier comments- this was a truly groundbreaking album. I have been a huge petty fan ever since and have seen him like 6 or 7 times. Not everything jas been great, but overall it is a very impressive body of work- Not many bands are still big after nearly 30 years.
Some songs are made for the Strange amongst us. This particular one, for some of the Strange, was made stranger because it *made* the charts. It had particular smack for me as a weird orphan. refugee from my home; when I became a REAL refugee, it still had the power to speak to me -- musically, lyrically, emotionally. I love the spare and sparkling musical presentation that never goes overboard. Just tells it like it is ;) I love well evoked TUNES.
robinesque wrote:
When this song came out, nothing else on the radio sounded like this. This is Godlike.
I have to agree with this. I was too young at the time to appreciate the change that Mr. Petty brought to the game, but I can recall my brothers going crazy over this album and the departure from the mainstream that it represented. Godlike for certain.
I have to agree with Johray63 in that great overplayed songs are still great songs. It's been years since I've heard Stairway, Hey Jude, White Bird or Freebird for that matter... That's OK, but when I do hear one next I know my ears will be smiling bigtime. I like it that you never know what you might hear next and that there isn't an overplay problem here at good 'ol RP. The Bee Gees, Ween, Petty, Catherine Wheel, man Bill hits into all the fields and over the fence all day long. Awsome radio!
Originally Posted by Johray63: Aren't we supposed not to listen to "regular radio" anymore? If so, we only listen to songs like this every once in a while, 'cause that's how often RP plays them. Just often enough to make us (or at least me) aware of how great a classic like this in fact still is!
While "The Heartbreakers" isn't as catchy a band name as, say, "The Lost Planet Airmen", it's at least better than "The Range", and they deserve to be in the song title along with Mr. Petty.
been a fan since i saw these guys live way back when in montezuma hall.
Perhaps in the context of pop radio this has been overplayed. But if you haven\'t listened to pop/classic rock for a while, this great song still sounds terrific. To fresh ears, this is an urgent, rocking tune.
When this song came out, nothing else on the radio sounded like this. This is Godlike.
Aren\'t we supposed not to listen to \"regular radio\" anymore? If so, we only listen to songs like this every once in a while, \'cause that\'s how often RP plays them. Just often enough to make us (or at least me) aware of how great a classic like this in fact still is!
KevDog is dead-on; Tom Petty has been putting out great rock-and-roll for ever. So what if it\'s been played to death -- it\'s a geat song. Thanks, Bill.
Bill, how could you! This has been played to death on mainstream radio. I guess you must really like this tune, but I can definitely do without it.