Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Released: March 26, 1985

Songwriter: Tom Petty Mike W. Campbell

Producer: Tom Petty Jimmy Iovine Mike W. Campbell

Well we come with what was on our backs
Yeah, when the leaves had died and all turned black
Back when the wind was cold and blew them around
When we laid our blankets on the ground

Yeah and I woke up feeling hungry
Looking straight into the sun
And left a cold night on the ground
Like a dog on the run

I fell overboard and washed up on a beach
Let waves and sand roll over me
I was helped to the home of a young bleached blonde
Who said "Honey, I discovered early in life
There's ways of getting anything I want"

Some of us are different
It's just something in our blood
There's no need for explanations
We're just dogs on the run
It's just dogs on the run

Yes, the room was painted blue and grey
All my meals came to me on a silver tray
Yeah she would laugh and light my cigarettes
She said "honey ain't it funny how a crowd gathers around
Anyone living life without a net?"

Yea how they'll beg you for the answer
But it won't ever be enough
There's no way you could ever tell 'em
It's just dogs on the run
It's just dogs on the run
It's just dogs on the run, babe
Like a dog on the run
Like a dog on the run
Like a dog
Like a dog
Like a dog on the run
Yeah

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – an L.A.-based gang of sharp-dressed garage-rock refugees from Gainsville, Florida – released their debut LP in November 1976, featuring two tracks which are now part of their long list of hits, “Breakdown” and “American Girl.”

Since that first LP in ‘76, the band’s style has epitomized and largely defined the American “heartland rock” movement – a vintage-guitar twang, hard lyric truth, and searing vocal attitude.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been nominated for 17 Grammy awards and sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all-time.

more tracks from the album

Southern Accents

From the album

Southern Accents (1985)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers popular songs

Dogs On the RunTom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Southern Accents