Now playing

Refugee

Chords

4.7469 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

F#minor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Great song by Tom Petty, I was disappointed with the version that is posted, despite having 5 stars 
and some good comments I thought it was incomplete, messy, over complicated and a little inaccurate,
so I thought I'd post my version, it's easier to follow (I think) and is complete.
This is an easy song to play along to and great for a beginner.
Please feel free to rate, comment, criticise etc.
[Intro]
  F#m    A    Ex4
[Verse 1]
F#mWe got somethin', we both Aknow it, we don't talk Etoo much F#mabout itA  E  
F#mAin't no real big secret, Aall the same, Esomehow we get aF#mround itA,  lEisten
DIt don't really matter to me baby, Byou believe what you want to believe, you see
[Chorus]
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee
[Verse 2]
F#mSomewhere, somehow, someAbody must have Ekicked you aF#mround someA  E  
F#mTell me why you want to Alay there, Erevel in your aF#mbandonA,    Ehoney
DIt don't make no difference to me baby, Beverybodys had to fight to be free, you see
[Chorus] (twice)
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee oh no
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee
[Middle Section]
EBaby we ain't the first, AI'm sure a lot of other lovers been burned
DRight now it seems real to you, but it's Eone of those things you gotta feel to be true
[Solo]
  F#m    A    Ex4
[Verse 3]
F#mSomewhere, somehow, someAbody must have Ekicked you aF#mround someA  E  
F#mWho knows maybe you were kidnapped, Atied up,  taken Eaway and held for F#mransomA,    Ehoney
DIt don't really matter to me baby, Beverybodys had to fight to be free, you see
[Chorus] (3 times)
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee no
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee no
You F#mdon't have to Alive like a Erefugee, F#mdon't have to live like a ArefuEgee
[Outro]
F#m(x5 tAo fEade)

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Refugee" captures a potent sense of unspoken understanding and a defiant refusal to settle for less than one deserves. It speaks to a deep connection that doesn't need many words, yet carries a shared knowledge between two people. The song's repeated assertion that "you don't have to live like a refugee" is a powerful call to break free from feeling displaced or unwanted, urging listeners to claim their rightful place. Released in 1980 on the album Damn the Torpedoes, it plays like an anthem of resilience and self-worth.

AI-written from these sources:Refugee (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song) — Wikipedia ↗Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Refugee

Refugee

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Refugee

by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

Great song by Tom Petty, I was disappointed with the version that is posted, despite having 5 stars

and some good comments I thought it was incomplete, messy, over complicated and a little inaccurate,

so I thought I'd post my version, it's easier to follow (I think) and is complete.

This is an easy song to play along to and great for a beginner.

Please feel free to rate, comment, criticise etc.

[Intro]

F#m A E

[Verse 1]

F#m A E F#m A E

We got somethin', we both know it, we don't talk too much about it

F#m A E F#m A E

Ain't no real big secret, all the same, somehow we get around it, listen

D B

It don't really matter to me baby, you believe what you want to believe, you see

[Chorus]

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee

[Verse 2]

F#m A E F#m A E

Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some

F#m A E F#m A E

Tell me why you want to lay there, revel in your abandon, honey

D B

It don't make no difference to me baby, everybodys had to fight to be free, you see

[Chorus] (twice)

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee oh no

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee

[Middle Section]

E A

Baby we ain't the first, I'm sure a lot of other lovers been burned

D E

Right now it seems real to you, but it's one of those things you gotta feel to be true

[Solo]

F#m A E

[Verse 3]

F#m A E F#m A E

Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some

F#m A E F#m A E

Who knows maybe you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom, honey

D B

It don't really matter to me baby, everybodys had to fight to be free, you see

[Chorus] (3 times)

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee no

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee no

F#m A E F#m A E

You don't have to live like a refugee, don't have to live like a refugee

[Outro]

F#m A E

(x5 to fade)

About Refugee Chords by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Learn how to play Refugee by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Refugee chords”, “Refugee guitar chords”, or “Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Refugee chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Refugee chords and for experienced players who want accurate Refugee lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#m, A, E, D, B.

FAQ — Refugee by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

How do I play "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers free?

Yes. The chords for "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Refugee" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Refugee" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Refugee"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Refugee" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Refugee" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Refugee" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers below.

What key is "Refugee" in?

The chords for "Refugee" show the original chord names (including F#m, A, E, D, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.