Rock icon Tom Petty’s heart beat its last in 2017, silenced by an accidental overdose of painkillers. This overdose led to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The 66-year-old troubadour had been medicating a broken hip, unaware that his pursuit of relief would lead to his final encore.
Over 250,000 people succumb to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the US annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the American Heart Association states that the figure is around 436,000, making SCA the top cause of fatalities of adults 40 years old and older worldwide.
A CPR-Friendly Tom Petty Song
Interestingly, some of the singer’s songs are also ideal for administering CPR. One of the best songs in this category is “I Won’t Back Down,” produced in 1989.
According to a broadcast, All Things Considered on NPR, the song, which debuted on Petty’s solo album, Full Moon Fever, was inspiring to many people. Petty said that fans commented and shared stories of how the song helped them get through difficult times. When he played the song, the crowd frequently sang above the band.
You can listen to the song here and get a song analysis. It has an excellent tempo (116 bpm) for performing CPR, which requires compressions in a range of 100 to 120 bpm.
I Won’t Back Down Lyrics
Here are the lyrics (simple but forceful):
Well, I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You could stand me up at the gates of Hell
But I won’t back down
No I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won’t back down
Hey baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
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
Hey baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey I will stand my ground (I won’t back down)
And I won’t back down
Hey baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey I won’t back down
Hey baby
There ain’t no easy way out (I won’t back down)
Hey I will stand my ground (I won’t back down)
And I won’t back down (I won’t back down)
No I won’t back down
Source: Musixmatch
Credit: Songwriters: Tom Petty / Jeff Lynne
I Won’t Back Down lyrics © Emi April Music Inc., Emi Music Publishing, Gone Gator Music, Tom Petty, Notoriousjbpsong
The Blaze Behind the Writing of the Song
On May 17, 1987, Petty and his family smelled smoke in their Encino, California home when sitting down to breakfast. The song, “I Won’t Back Down” spoke to the experience. Petty and his family suffered a $1 million loss after the fire, set by an arsonist.
Petty Was Fair with Himself and His Fans
Petty never price-gouged his fans. For instance, he didn’t release his album, “Hard Promises,” until his label reduced the price from $9.98 to $8.98. Also, the cost of attending a Tom Petty show was notably less than other rock and roll legends that he frequently outsold over the years. Even when he was facing bankruptcy and other money problems early in his career, he always provided fans with a more affordable experience.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1977
Maybe it was because Petty was also fair with himself and what he received in pay. While Tom Petty was considered a famous rock star in 1979, he was also a broke celebrity. The singer/songwriter had to file for bankruptcy even though he was ready to release a new album. However, Petty refused to launch the album, “Damn the Torpedoes” until his record label, MCA, offered him a better deal.
His strategy worked and the artist signed a new agreement with MCA’s subsidiary. His ability to negotiate was copied by other musicians who earned more money by following Petty’s blueprint. Petty continued to fight for better rights and pay opportunities throughout his career.
He Didn’t Hit #1 on the Album Charts Until He Was in His 60s or Close to the End of His Life
While Petty sold over 80 million albums during his music career, he didn’t have a #1 album until 2014. The release of “Hypnotic Eye, marked the first time the singer topped the charts. He sold 131,000 copies of the album during the first week. He was 64 years old at the time.
Contact In-Pulse CPR About Getting Trained in CPR Today
One of the most popular venues for onsite-CPR training is In-Pulse CPR. Go online and find out more about the leading company’s training sessions in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee. If you live in these states, you can arrange classes for CPR on-site instruction at your place of business or attend a community program any time. Now is the time to sign up for instruction today.
Author: Donna Ryan is a writer from Tucson, Arizona. You can contact her about her writing and publishing services at Inky Publishing anytime.
