The Pretenders – Don’t Get Me Wrong: Lyrics and Music Video
Don't Get Me Wrong by The Pretenders lyrics and music video. You can sing while listening to the song Don't Get Me Wrong performed by The Pretenders. Hope you like the music video and song lyrics for Don't Get Me Wrong.
About the Song
The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong: Song Overview
The Pretenders' *Don’t Get Me Wrong* (1986) is a jangly, upbeat rock-pop anthem from their fourth studio album, Get Close. Featuring Chrissie Hynde’s signature vocals and infectious guitar hooks, the track became one of the band’s most recognizable hits, blending 1980s pop sensibilities with rock edge.
Release and Chart Performance
- Released in September 1986 as the lead single from Get Close.
- Peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 (US) and No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
- Helped the Get Close album achieve Gold certification in the US, selling over 500,000 copies.
Musical Style and Themes
The song combines:
- Jangly guitar riffs inspired by The Beatles, driving rhythms, and Hynde’s smoky, charismatic delivery.
- Lyrics playfully addressing misunderstandings in relationships, epitomized by the iconic chorus:
“Don’t get me wrong / If I’m looking kind of dazzled / I see neon lights / Whenever you walk by.”
Legacy and Cultural Impact
- Endures as a staple of 1980s rock playlists, with 150+ million streams globally.
- Featured in films like The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and TV shows like Friends, cementing its nostalgic appeal.
- Praised for bridging rock and pop, influencing later acts like The Bangles and The Go-Go’s.
Songwriting Credits
Written by Chrissie Hynde and produced by Jimmy Iovine, the track’s bright production and catchy melody solidified its crossover success.
Summary
*Don’t Get Me Wrong* stands as a quintessential 1980s rock-pop crossover, showcasing The Pretenders’ ability to merge sharp lyricism with radio-friendly hooks. Its chart success and enduring presence in media underscore its status as a timeless anthem of playful romance and musical innovation.
Keywords
- The Pretenders Don’t Get Me Wrong lyrics
- 80s rock pop hits
- Get Close album The Pretenders
- Chrissie Hynde songs
- Best 1980s rock anthems
The Pretenders: Don't Get Me Wrong Lyrics
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 a while
Two people meet
Seemingly for no reason
They just pass on the street
Suddenly, thundershowers everywhere
And 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 fashion
It might be unbelievable
But let’s not say so long
It might just be fantastic
Don’t get me wrong
