"Don't Get Me Wrong" is a song by British rock band the Pretenders. It was the first single released from the band's fourth studio album, Get Close (1986). It was also included on the band's compilation album, The Singles (1987). Frontwoman Chrissie Hynde said she was inspired to write the song for her friend John McEnroe.
Critical reception Billboard wrote that although Hynde is the only original Pretender remaining, this song represents "a pretty upbeat, strutting, confident Pretenders." Cashbox praised Hynde's "sultry vocal" and "powerful songwriting." Classic rock review describes "Don't Get Me Wrong" as a "jaunty rock track". Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw rated it the Pretenders' eighth-greatest song, saying that it "[hammers] home the point rather succinctly that when it comes to love from the female point of view, it's best to expect the unexpected."
Chart performance In the United States, "Don't Get Me Wrong" became the group's second top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at 10. It also spent three weeks atop the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in November 1986. In the United Kingdom, the song also peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. In Australia, it became a top-10 hit, reaching No. 8 on the Kent Music Report.
Music video The music video for the song is a tribute to the British 1960s espionage television series The Avengers, with Chrissie Hynde playing Emma Peel searching for John Steed, while being diverted by body doubles and rival agents. She drives a 1983 Reliant Scimitar SS1. Steed actor Patrick Macnee appears in the original series' footage, with Hynde electronically inserted. 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 studio.
Personnel The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – guitars T. M. Stevens – bass guitar
Additional personnel Chucho Merchán – bass guitar Steve Jordan – drums, percussion Paul "Wix" Wickens – synthesizer, piano
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (1986–1987)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)8Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)19US Billboard Hot 10010US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)28US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)1
Year-end charts +Chart (1986)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)95
+Chart (1987)PositionUS Billboard Hot 10092
Certifications
References
External links