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Damn the Torpedoes by ReleasedOctober 19, 1979 (1979-10-19)RecordedSound City, Van Nuys
Cherokee Studios, Hollywood
1978–79, Length36:38, , , , chronology
(1978)Damn the Torpedoes
(1979)
(1981) from Damn the Torpedoes ""
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Damn the Torpedoes is the third album by , released in . This was the first of three Petty albums originally released by the label, distributed by . It built on the commercial success and critical acclaim of his two previous albums and peaked at #2 on the album chart. In 2003, the album was ranked number 313 on magazine's list of .

Background and Recording

Petty's recording contract was reassigned to MCA when his previous label and distributor was sold to MCA in 1979. MCA took over rights to Petty's published music, infuriating him, and he responded by declaring bankruptcy as a tactic to void his contract with MCA. In the end, the record company backed down, and Petty negotiated a deal that allowed him to retain publishing rights and form his own Backstreet Records label, manufactured and distributed by MCA. The album, now co-produced by , was recorded at in and in . The title is a reference to a famous quote by Admiral : "". All of Petty's Backstreet recordings (and all MCA releases at that time) were re-issued by MCA in 1988.

Release and Reception Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingB+8/10

The album was a breakthrough for Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was their first top 10 album rising to #2 (for seven weeks and kept from #1 by 's ) on the albums chart. It yielded two songs that made the top 15 on the singles chart, "Don't Do Me Like That" (#10) and "Refugee" (#15). Thanks to the new co-producer Jimmy Iovine, Damn the Torpedoes proved to be a major leap forward in production.

Critical reception generally reflected the commercial success of the album. The original review in raved that it was the "album we've all been waiting for – that is, if we were all Tom Petty fans, which we would be if there were any justice in the world." Subsequent reviews have continued this trend calling it "one of the great records of the album rock era" and culminating in its placement in Rolling Stone's list of .

Track listing Side oneNo.TitleWriter(s)Length1.""  Petty, 3:222.""  Petty, Campbell4:273."Even the Losers"  Petty3:594."Shadow of a Doubt (A Complex Kid)"  Petty4:255."Century City"  Petty3:45Side TwoNo.TitleWriter(s)Length6.""  Petty2:447."You Tell Me"  Petty4:358."What Are You Doin' in My Life"  Petty3:279."Louisiana Rain"  Petty5:54 Total length: 36:38