I Don't Wanna Fight

Album: Echo (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a rare Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers track on which Petty doesn't sing lead. His guitarist Mike Campbell handles the vocals, his first time doing so.

    Campbell writes the music for many of Petty's songs, and also co-wrote Don Henley's "The Heart Of The Matter" and "The Boys of Summer." In an interview with radio station WMMR, Campbell said: "For a long time I would just write music. And then I got so much of that and got so tired of writing music and waiting for someone to come up with something to sing on it that I just started doing it myself, just to amuse myself. And then I showed some stuff to Tom, he'd go, 'Wow, that sounds like me.' So I kept showing stuff to him. And then, when he heard that one, he thought, 'Well, you should just do that one, 'cause that'll fit on the record and you do it fine.' So that just sorta happened that way." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    DeeTheWriter - Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation

Comments: 1

  • Evangeline from Monroe, LaWow, I never realized this was Mike Campbell! It really does sound like Tom.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."