Tonight’s mystery artist had a hit that he was a little afraid to release because it had such an unabashed message. Think you can guess the song or the artist??

The song it "I Won't Back Down" which is the first single from Tom Petty’s first solo album, ‘Full Moon Fever’ released in 1989. The song was written by Petty and Jeff Lynne, his writing partner for the album. It reached number 12 on the Billboard hot 100 and topped the Album rock Tracks chart for five weeks. In the 2007 Tom Petty documentary ‘Running Down A Dream’, Petty said that he felt some initial hesitation about releasing the song, given its clear and unabashed message.

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Well I know what's right, I got just one life

in a world that keeps on pushin' me around

but I'll stand my ground, and I won't back down

However, despite his hesitation the song is beloved and encouraging in hard times. It was played often on American radio following 9/11  and Petty and the Heartbreakers played a quiet but resolute version of the song at the America: A Tribute to Heros telethon following the 2001 attacks.

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