top of page

The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong




"Don't Get Me Wrong" is a song released by the pop-rock group The Pretenders. It was the first single taken from the group's 1986 album, Get Close. It can also be found on the band's The Singles album, released in 1987. Chrissie Hynde said she was inspired to write the song for her friend John McEnroe.


The song features a jangly guitar sound and an emphasis on melody. Hynde's lyrics contain literary references in addition to the more relationship-based subject matter typical for pop music.


The music video for the song is a tribute to the British 1960s TV spy series The Avengers, with Chrissie Hynde playing Emma Peel searching for John Steed (Patrick Macnee appears in the original series' footage, with Hynde superimposed) while being diverted by body doubles and rival agents. Two edits to the video were made, the second edit adds alternate shots (including a scene of one of the body doubles being revealed to be a woman) and inserts footage of the band performing in a red and blue studio.






Lyrics



Don't get me wrong

If I'm looking kind of dazzled

I see neon lights

Whenever you walk by


Don't get me wrong

If you say hello and I take a ride

Upon a sea where the mystic moon

Is playing havoc with the tide

Don't get me wrong


Don't get me wrong

If I'm acting so distracted

I'm thinking about the fireworks

That go off when you smile


Don't get me wrong

If I split like light refracted

I'm only off to wander

Across a moonlit mile


Once in awhile

Two people meet

Seemingly for no reason

They just pass on the street

Suddenly thunder, showers everywhere

Who can explain the thunder and rain

But there's something in the air


Don't get me wrong

If I come and go like fashion

I might be great tomorrow

But hopeless yesterday


Don't get me wrong

If I fall in the 'mode of passion'

It might be unbelievable

But let's not say so long

It might just be fantastic

Don't get me wrong

Comments


bottom of page