Damn the Torpedoes

by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Type: Album
Released: 19 October 1979
Label: Backstreet
Country: United States
Length: 36:22
Community rating: 3.92/5 from 9 ratings

Artists on this release: Ron Blair, Benmont Tench, Tom Petty, Stan Lynch, Mike Campbell

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Born from a contentious legal battle that saw Tom Petty declare bankruptcy to gain artistic control, 'Damn the Torpedoes' was a commercial and critical breakthrough that established the band as major rock stars. Co-produced by Jimmy Iovine, the album features a powerful, polished sound that highlights The Heartbreakers' tight, driving instrumentation on enduring heartland rock anthems like "Refugee" and "Don't Do Me Like That". The record combines Petty's direct, hook-laden songwriting with the band's energetic performance, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the album-oriented rock era.

Genres

Descriptors: arena rock, guitar-driven, melodic, jangly, earnest

Tracklist

Refugee (03:21)
Here Comes My Girl (04:24)
Even The Losers (03:59)
Shadow Of A Doubt (A Complex Kid) (04:24)
Century City (03:43)
Don't Do Me Like That (02:41)
You Tell Me (04:33)
What Are You Doin' In My Life? (03:25)
Louisiana Rain (05:52)

Credits

Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, producer
Mike Campbell - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar on "refugee" and "here comes my girl", accordion on "refugee"
Benmont Tench - piano, organ, harmonium, backing vocals
Ron Blair - bass guitar
Stan Lynch - drums, backing vocals
Donald "Duck" Dunn - bass guitar on "you tell me"
Jim Keltner - samba shaker on "refugee"
Jimmy Iovine - producer
Greg Calbi - mastering
Shelly Yakus - engineer
John Mathias - assistant engineer
Thom Panunzio - assistant engineer
Gray Russell - assistant engineer
Skip Saylor - assistant engineer
Tori Swenson - assistant engineer
Lynn Goldsmith - photography
Dennis Callahan - photography
Aaron Rapoport - photography
Glen Christensen - cover photography
Tommy Steele - art direction