Rock

I Won’t Back Down Chords

Tom Petty Beginner Key of E 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Guitar

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Ukulele

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Piano

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Banjo

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Mandolin

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Em · D · G · C

I Won’t Back Down Chords – Harmonica

Tom Petty’s defiant anthem of resilience from his first solo album. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the C, G, Am, F shapes listed to match the original recording’s key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Well, I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

C G

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

Am F

But I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Verse 2

C G

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, I will stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Am F

Well, I know what’s right

C G

I got just one life

Am F

In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around

C G

But I’ll stand my ground

Am F

And I won’t back down

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Bridge

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Am F

Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out

Chorus

C G

No, I’ll stand my ground

Am F

Won’t be turned around

C G

And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down

Am F

Gonna stand my ground

C G

And I won’t back down

Outro

C G

I won’t back down

Am F

No, I won’t back down

Practice tip: Master the four-chord progression (C, G, Am, F) before adding the strum pattern, then focus on the steady, unwavering rhythm that drives the song’s message home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Won’t Back Down"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Em, D, G and C.

Is "I Won’t Back Down" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Won’t Back Down" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "I Won’t Back Down"?

It was written by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and released in 1989.