Don't Do Me Like That

Album: Damn The Torpedoes (1979)
Charted: 10
Play Video
  • I was talking with a friend of mine
    Said a woman had hurt his pride
    Told him that she loved him so
    And turned around and let him go
    Then he said, you better watch your step
    Or your gonna get hurt yourself
    Someone's gonna tell you lies
    Cut you down to size

    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    What if I love you baby?
    Don't do me like that

    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    Someday I might need you baby
    Don't do me like that

    Listen honey, can you see?
    Baby, you would bury me
    If you were in a public eye
    Givin' someone else a try
    And you know you better watch your step
    Or you're gonna get hurt yourself
    Someone's gonna tell you lies
    Cut you down a size

    Don 't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    What if I love you baby?
    Don't, don't, don't, don't

    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    What if I need you baby?
    Don't do me like that

    'Cause somewhere deep down inside
    Someone is saying, Love doesn't last that long
    I've had this feelin' inside night and day
    And babe I can't take it no more

    Listen honey, can you see?
    Baby, you would bury me
    If you were in a public eye
    Givin' someone else a try
    And you know you better watch your step
    Or you're gonna get hurt yourself
    Someone's gonna tell you lies
    Cut you down to size

    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    What if I love you baby?
    Don't, don't, don't, don't

    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    I just might need you honey
    Don't do me like that

    Wait
    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    Baby, baby, baby
    Don't, don't, don't

    No
    Don't do me like that
    Don't do me like that
    Baby, baby, baby

    Oh, oh, oh Writer/s: Tom Petty
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Eric B. from Troy, OhIt seems to me that every source gets the lyrics wrong on this which is a shame as it's one of the best Petty turns of phrase. To rhyme with "Someone is sayin'" he takes the phrase "Day in and night out" and reverses it. The song is sung "I got this feeling inside, night out and day in." That's how I always heard it and after observing this song life in more than one recording, I am sure this is the real lyric.
  • Subsct from Ny,nyIt's really a great lesson in rudimentary songwriting with verse A, verse B, chorus, bridge, back to the verses and finishing with that chorus. Simple, effective, with a subject that resonates with all young men on the verge of being let go. And yes, don't we all know that feeling. Excellent tune, easy enough that everyone always remembers the lyrics after all these years. Bravo!
  • Jaykay from Worldwide If you all read Petty the biography by Warren Zanes you may draw the same conclusion as I. This song is about his father's relationship with his mother.
  • Ken from Louisville, Ky"Don't do me like that" is an old Southern expression, meaning either "Don't try to fool me" or "Don't mistreat me". So it's hardly surprising that Florida native Tom Petty would write a song around it.
  • John from Grand Island, NyDamn The Torpedoes was one song short from completion. Tom asked the band if they had any song in mind they should record, someone suggested this song from his Mudcrutch days so this song almost never made it to vinyl, its funny how stuff works out.
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaTP wrote this with his first band Mudcrutch in 1974. The he recoreded it solo in 1979..
  • Jami from Redding, CaGeesus all these years I thought the lyric was listen honey can't you see maybe you would marry me. I obviously need to get out more. I still love this song though.
  • Vernon from Trinidad, Wi, OtherCuriously enough, Tom Petty got into the Top 10 three times. Once with the Heartbreakers (this song), once with Stevie Nicks (Stop Draggin' My Heart Around) and once solo (Free Fallin') although I guess technically the Stevie Nicks one included the Heartbreakers too.
  • Mary from Phoenix, AzWow. Y'all are saying this doesn't get enough airplay and that it's underrated, but they play it here in AZ on KSLX all the time. And on ThePeak.
  • Cricket from Moscow, Idthis song rules! this one and 'you're so bad' don't get enough airplay
  • Kendall from Thomasville, GaI agree with you Leon, as a matter o fact, I believe that it is one of the most underarted songs of any group in these days
  • Tracy from Rogers, OhMy son who is 4 goes around singing Don't do me like that all the time and people find it so cool that a kid his age enjoys music like this. Anyways thought it is cool myself.
  • Snake from Custer , Sdthe Mudcrutch Version of this song can be found on the boxed set "Playback"
  • Leon from Waterbury, CtI love this tune and it's one of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' most under-rated songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.