"Don't Do Me Like That" is a song written by Tom Petty and recorded by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was released in November 1979 as the first single from the album Damn the Torpedoes (1979). It was the first of three of their songs to be in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The single also peaked at number 3 in Canada. In the UK, despite airplay by Capital Radio in the summer of 1980, the track failed to make the Top 75 chart.

Background

Petty wrote the song and recorded a demo version with his previous band Mudcrutch in 1974. At one point he strongly considered giving the song to The J. Geils Band because he thought it had their sound. During the Damn the Torpedoes sessions he was convinced by producer Jimmy Iovine to include it on the album because he sensed it would be a hit.

Reception

Billboard praised the song for its "strong lyrical hook backed up by some solid mid to fast rock instrumentation" and its "urgent" vocal. Cash Box said that it "bounces along to a rock steady, engaging beat, bopping hook, staccato guitar chords with lively production." Record World called the hook "irresistible." The Fort Worth Star Telegram rated it to be the 4th best single of 1979.

Single track listings

Backstreet 41138 (US) "Something Else" (Live) b/w "Stories We Could Tell" (Live) Backstreet MCA 596 (UK 2x7" single)

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts