Refugee

I always thought it was about a person who sabotages her (or his) own success, either because she wants something to complain about, or she doesn't think she deserves any better.

I think this mostly because of the "somebody must have kicked you around some" line, which i took to mean that Mr. Petty is positing that somebody made the subject believe they are worthless.

P.S. I think Tom Petty is rated just were he should be. Isn't he widely accepted to be a highly respected and innovative performer / songwriter?

I don't know what Tom wrote Refugee about. None of us do but I know for me when I sing the song, I sing it about my relationship. My girlfriend was used and violated by her ex boyfriend and she has told me about it, but requested we don't talk about it "We got something, we both know, we don't talk too much about it." The abuse she went through I understand and I wish she would have told someone, I also wish I could be there to stop it "Somewhere, Somehow, Somebody must have kicked you around some, tell my why you would lay there and revel in your abandon." The chorus "you don't haft to live like a refugee" lets my girlfriend know that now she is with me and I love her very much and Im gonna treat her right because she deserves it, its also saying you don't haft to worry about it cause im here now and im not him.

It strikes me as a song thats saying, Quit being a Victim, "everybody's had to fight to be free."

I think it's about a woman who has been hurt before and he's telling her that not everyone will do that to her and to not live her life in fear.

"Tell me why you want to lay there - revel in your abandon"

This here is a matter of choice.

While it is probably true that before any one of us may analyze any line of lyric in any song that we should first, as a preliminary measure, consider that only the author(s) can know exactly the creative process and inspiration behind its conception, as well as what was "meant" or otherwise "not meant," it is my opinion nevertheless, that the writer apparently exhibits a certain tone of frustration toward another who chooses not to rise above their own devastation and ruin; be it the subject of tyranny and corruption or otherwise suffering at the hand of some apparent cruelty, above all this sing seems to be about choice.

• Raise your hand if your companion describes their last companionship, if not their entire world, as a cruel and unfair dictatorship, wherein they are victims of anything and everything.

** Raise both hands if you are that victim.

Furthermore, I feel like if anyone's gonna tell how the cow ate the cabbage it's gonna be Mr. Tom Petty. Sometimes good people take the easy way, and that ain't so good now is it. Moo.

I think the chorus kind of sums up the songs meaning. I totaly agree that Tom Petty and Jethro Tull dont get as much credidt as they deserve for their awesome music. They've done so much for rock.

i think this is about a guy telling a girl that she deserves better, that everyone struggles and some people who have had it real rough dont even care, and shes making a fuss about who she is or something that happened in her past. The guys jsut saying look everyone goes through hard times, it doesnt matter babe, you can be great if you want!

With the current refugee situation this song has new meaning. The refugees are fleeing there country to find a safer and better life. Somewhere somehow someone must of kicked you around some. She's fleeing from a past relationship but Tom is telling her she doesn't have to (we've got something we both know it) they've a good relationship and she doesn't have to live like a refugee.

i think its about people complaining about their hardships to people who dont care really

just my opinion and i like that idea anyways love tompetty great artist

...sounds like Sting is doing back-up? is that just me?