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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers — Refugee
Album: Damn The Torpedos
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1188









Released: 1979
Length: 3:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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.
Posted 1 year ago by IvanTheMediocre    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 2 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
 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}



Posted 3 years ago by glennon6274    [ Reply ]
Love Tom Petty; but when he screams "Oh, Oh, Oh" all I hear is Sam Kinison"!
Posted 4 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
One of Petty's best - NEW ALBUM OUT SOON, FOLKS!!!
 

Unfortunately not anytime soon  :( 
Posted 4 years ago by antibody1    [ Reply ]
watching the documentary "Running down a Dream" on youtube now.
Peter Bogdonovich  directed and is good.
Posted 5 years ago by max_p    [ Reply ]
{#Guitarist}This man really rocks, everything he has ever done works for me, may age not diminish him.{#Guitarist}
Posted 10 years ago by bexhillos    [ Reply ]
Tom Petty's BEST song.  One of the best regardless of who did it!
Posted 10 years ago by drusha    [ Reply ]
One of Petty's best - NEW ALBUM OUT SOON, FOLKS!!!
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]

This is a brilliant song from a magnificent album...  love it...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 jpstfx28 wrote:
Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?

 
deep purple?
Posted 11 years ago by cakkafracle    [ Reply ]
 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!!
Posted 12 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 12 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
ANYTHING off the first or second effort is better than this.
Posted 12 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 12 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by ozzie1313    [ Reply ]
 toomanyollys wrote:
My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}
 
Thats sad.... your office must be clueless
Posted 12 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Is there a rock act out there that makes better use of the organ than tom petty?
Posted 13 years ago by jpstfx28    [ Reply ]
 toomanyollys wrote:
My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}
 

Possibly Canadian elderly-home!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Sick of it.
 

SHUT UP!!!!

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

I assume you are sick of yourself!!

Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Sick of it.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Blows his (or should I say their stuff?  After all, wasn't it Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers?) newer stuff out of the water!

Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
He sings like he had his tongue numbed with Novocaine first but I still like it {#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 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}

Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Ahhhhh—It's all clear now. This is why I was confused when I liked Mudcrutch, but thought I didn't like Tom Petty.
Posted 14 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
my old 78 chevy malibu... cranked on a shitty old realistic tape deck....
Posted 14 years ago by SirLars    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 14 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 14 years ago by Spud    [ Reply ]
 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}

Posted 14 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by vincentp1324    [ Reply ]
The haters can step back, because this is Tom Petty's best song ever.

{#Dancingbanana_2}


Posted 15 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
 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).


Posted 15 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
My entire office thought this was Bryan Adams. {#Rolleyes}


Posted 15 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
 MrsAustin wrote:


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

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

Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 15 years ago by evansdad    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 15 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
If you play this in the car stereo, it takes a full second off your 0-60 and quarter-mile times.
Posted 15 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by funkaholic    [ Reply ]
marie_pain wrote:
I don't know... it reminds a bit of Run to you... Bryan Adams....
which came a long time afterwards......
Posted 16 years ago by peter75    [ Reply ]
Tom Petty.. one of the Gods of Rock n' Roll. And this song, Refugee, deserves a godlike 10.
Posted 17 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
This takes me straight back to my high school days!! I just love Petty!!
Posted 17 years ago by jredd2    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by rtkmusic    [ Reply ]
Dont have to smell like a refugee...
Posted 17 years ago by mooseisadick    [ Reply ]
Tom Petty is moving up on my list of all time great pop musicians. All of his stuff is good.
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Now for a little more sell-out rock in case you missed Bono and the Third World Savers.
Posted 17 years ago by mooseisadick    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
Big fan of TP, but I wish he would play more of that guitar of his!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
I don't know... it reminds a bit of Run to you... Bryan Adams....
Posted 17 years ago by marie_pain    [ Reply ]
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)
Posted 17 years ago by MrsAustin    [ Reply ]
AliGator wrote:
Nothing is random on RP, so identical segues do appear. Because BillG makes it so.
...and he does it sooooooo well
Posted 17 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by MiketheKnife    [ Reply ]
I've come to increasingly respect this band, and this album in particular.
Posted 17 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
8
Posted 17 years ago by chix    [ Reply ]
Not a huge TP fan but I have always liked this song - an 8.
Posted 18 years ago by sainzfan    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 18 years ago by Ngoziman    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
Baby_M wrote:
10:26 am - Tom Petty - Refugee 10:21 am - New Order - 60 MPH
Duplicate Segue (creepy)
Posted 18 years ago by MiketheKnife    [ Reply ]
I only gave it a 9 because "American Girl" gets a 10. Brilliant song.
Posted 18 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
Great song by an very special artist.
Posted 18 years ago by Granada    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by catbirdman    [ Reply ]
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."
Posted 19 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by MickMan    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 19 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Loses about 4 rating points because of severe and ongoing overplay everywhere else for the last 20 years. Rating: 2
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Another alleged singer who squandered his singing-lessons money on Twinkies and Ho-Ho's.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
I think I liked Alvin and the Chipmunks' version better. Still pretty good.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
the worst Petty ever, and I like Petty. :(
Posted 19 years ago by drekar    [ Reply ]
not my favorite petty song, but i'm sad i'm not going to get to see him this tour
Posted 19 years ago by pjterp    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by eeching2004    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 21 years ago by gstark33    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 21 years ago by mrtyler    [ Reply ]
been a fan since i saw these guys live way back when in montezuma hall.
Posted 21 years ago by red    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 21 years ago by the_om    [ Reply ]
When this song came out, nothing else on the radio sounded like this. This is Godlike.
Posted 21 years ago by robinesque    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 22 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 23 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]