Petty was supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. He has occasionally released solo work, as was the case with his 2006 album Highway Companion on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. However, members of The Heartbreakers have played on each of his solo albums and the band has always backed him when touring in support of those albums.
After the Petty's previous band Mudcrutch disbanded, Petty, never one to give up, enlisted Mudcrutch members Tench (keyboards) and Mike Campbell (guitar), along with Gainesville musicians Ron Blair (bass) and Stan Lynch (drums) to form the now famous lineup that was dubbed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They released their first album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in November 1976. In 2006, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of that release.
This lineup stayed intact for four records and was responsible for some of the most infectious songs ("American Girl", "Breakdown", "Listen To Her Heart", "Refugee", "I Need To Know", "Don't Do Me Like That") and one of the most critically acclaimed albums ("Damn the Torpedoes") of all time. Their tremendous success catapulted them from club band to arena rockers seemingly overnight.
Bassist Blair split the band in 1982 and was replaced by Howie Epstein, a protege of seminal rocker Del Shannon. Epstein's solid playing and soaring backing vocals further complemented the band's live attack. Without missing a beat, they headed back into the studio to record a string of successful albums, including the classic "Long After Dark". In 1994, Stan Lynch left the Heartbreakers to pursue other musical challenges and Steve Ferrone (well regarded for his work with the Average White Band and Eric Clapton) soon became the Heartbreakers' chosen drummer.
Most recently, at a time when many of their contemporaries have long since grown complacent, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have in 2002 released one of their finest and most controversial efforts - featuring some of Petty's most moving songs. Recorded both before and following the group's 2002 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, "The Last DJ", reflected Petty's strong views about the state of the music business and the culture generally. With the departure of Howie Epstein, "The Last DJ" marked another notable return: after two decades away, founding Heartbreaker Ron Blair returned to the band's rhythm section. In 2010, The Heartbreakers released the well received album "Mojo".
Petty died on 2 October 2017 following a cardiac episode earlier that day at his home in Malibu, California. Although some media outlets incorrectly reported his death following an erroneous police report, his death was confirmed later that day by his publicist and manager.
I Don't Wanna Fight
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a hole in my head
I'd be better off dead
I got a hole in my head
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
You're always laughing at me
You're always laughing at me
Yeah, when nothing's really funny
You're always laughing at me
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
I'm a lover, lover, lover
I'm a lover, lover, lover
You got a pretty face
You got a pretty face
But it's such a waste
You got a pretty face
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
I don't want to fight
I'm a lover, lover, lover
I'm a lover, lover, lover
The lyrics to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ song “I Don’t Wanna Fight” are reflective of a person grappling with a sense of hopelessness and feeling like they have nothing left to live for. The repeated line “I got a hole in my head / I'd be better off dead” highlights this despair. The singer also expresses a feeling of being constantly ridiculed by someone (“you're always laughing at me / when nothing's really funny”) which can contribute to the already overwhelming sense of isolation and alienation.
Despite these difficult feelings, the singer repeatedly emphasizes that they do not want to fight (“I don't want to fight / I'm a lover, lover, lover”). This could be interpreted in a few different ways. One possibility is that the singer is trying to avoid conflict because they feel like they don’t have the energy or strength to engage in it. Another possibility is that they’re recognizing that fighting won’t bring them any closer to happiness or peace, and they’re opting for a more compassionate and understanding approach.
Overall, the lyrics to “I Don’t Wanna Fight” explore themes of depression, loneliness, and the struggle to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The singer acknowledges their pain and their challenges, but also holds onto a sense of compassion and hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hole in my head
I feel mentally drained and exhausted
I'd be better off dead
Life just feels too difficult right now
I don't want to fight
I don't want to argue or cause unnecessary conflict
I'm a lover, lover, lover
I am someone who prefers to focus on love and positivity
You're always laughing at me
I feel like you're mocking or belittling me
Yeah, when nothing's really funny
Even when there's no real reason to laugh
You got a pretty face
Although physically attractive, there's more to a person than just their looks
But it's such a waste
If you're not using your beauty to positively impact the world, then what's the point?
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL W. CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind