Menendez was 52 at the time of his re-election bid. Later that same day, as Menendez was joined by former President Bill Clinton at Essex County College in Newark, the Tom Petty version was back on the sound system. He then ran out and bought the CD, found the lyrics online, and had The Entertainers rehearse it briefly before Menendez’s appearance. When the Menendez campaign told the band the Petty song was the song they would be using, the band leader had never heard of it. In West Deptford, NJ that fall, a local group of senior musicians called The Entertainers was used - four guys that had been playing local gigs for seven years. Senator Menendez campaigning in Trenton, NJ, October 2006. In some cases, the song was played live by a local band rather than the pre-recorded Tom Petty version. It was played wherever Menendez appeared, usually as he entered the room or took the stage. It could be heard playing on sound systems from schools to senior centers all across the state. Senator in 2006, Democrat Robert Menendez of New Jersey, during his re-election bid, made “I Wont’ Back Down” his campaign’s theme song. Senate seat in 2006, used the Petty song in his campaign. On November 3rd, 2006, right before the election, Webb’s campaign staged a lively outdoor rally with prominent Democrats at Virginia Union University in Richmond. At that rally, Webb took to the stage to the beat of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Webb won the race over Republican incumbent George Allen.Īnother U.S. On the Democratic side of the aisle, a number of candidates had used Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” in their political campaigns. Virginia Democrat Jim Webb, a Vietnam Vet and former Secretary of the Navy who mounted a pugnacious, reform-minded run to win a U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb at an October 2006 campaign stop in Annandale, Virginia. Petty did not want the use of his song to be construed as an endorsement of candidate Bush.
That meant Bush was compelled to stop using the song at his campaign events. In early 2000, Tom Petty’s publisher sent George Bush a “cease and desist” letter to stop his campaign from using the song. So, he had his publisher send Bush a “cease and desist” letter. Bush had used “I Won’t Back Down” at campaign events during the 2000 race, becoming practically “a fixture” at those events, according to one report. Notably in this category, however, was the year 2000 presidential campaign of then Texas Governor W. Happily, for most of those using Tom Petty’s song in various campaigns over the last decade or so, there have only been only one or two of those awkward situations. Such “oversight” can sometimes lead to embarrassing situations - for both candidate and artist. Sometimes, however, they don’t bother asking the artist’s permission to use the songs, or acquire all the requisite legal blessings. They “borrow” these tunes and use them as theme music during their campaigns, playing them before speeches and at rally locations on the campaign trail. Politicians, especially in recent years, have begun scouring the pop, country, rap and hip hop music charts for tunes that strike a chord with their would-be supporters. The song will resonate with those who have been wronged, as well as those who might be out to prove a point. It has a kind of universal and personal appeal. Plus, it’s good rock ‘n roll. It’s also a perfect song for a political campaign. And not surprisingly, more than a few politicians - Republicans, Democrats, and Independents - have all used it, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. “I Won’t Back Down” says it all in its title it’s a fighter’s song - Petty is standing his ground and he won’t back down. The lyrics - shown later below in a separate sidebar at the bottom of this story - suggest a struggle against the odds, whatever they might be and a determined stand against the powers that be, whoever they are. And Petty’s defiant tone in the performance provides just the right touch of attitude.
#TOM PETTY I WONT BACK DOWN FULL#
1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, which ranks radio play. The song’s popularity helped send Full Moon Fever to the multi-million-selling sales club. By October 2000, the album had sold more than five million copies. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 single’s chart. It also rose to No. “I Won’t Back Down” is the first single from Tom Petty’s first solo album, Full Moon Fever, released in 1989. The song was written by Petty and his writing partner at the time, Jeff Lynne. It rose to No. Cover of Paul Zollo’s 2005 book, “Conversations With Tom Petty,” Omnibus Press, 284pp.
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