The Pretenders is an English-American rock band founded in Hereford, United… Read Full Bio ↴The Pretenders is an English-American rock band founded in Hereford, United Kingdom that came to prominence during the punk and new wave movement of the late 1970s due to their innovative songwriting and charismatic performances. Since then, the band has experienced drug-related losses and numerous subsequent personnel changes, with American-born group founder, songwriter, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde as the only consistent member.

Formed in 1978 in London, the original band Hynde, lead and rhythm guitarist James Honeyman-Scott (died 1982), bassist Pete Farndon (died 1983), and drummer Martin Chambers. Save for Hynde, a native of Akron, Ohio, the original band members were all from the U.K. This band was fractured by the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon. Since then, numerous subsequent personnel changes have taken place over the years, with Hynde as the sole constant.

With Hynde at the helm, the band experienced a critical resurgence with a trio of albums released between the mid-90s and early 00s that explored a more mature side of the band’s classic sound.

In 2008, the Pretenders' album Break Up the Concrete was released through Shangri-La Music. It was the band's first Top 40 album in the US in 22 years.

In September 2012, as part of the entertainment line-up for the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, the Pretenders re-grouped with Hynde and Chambers from the original line-up, along with Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne and Eric Heywood.

Don't Get Me Wrong
The Pretenders Lyrics

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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 a while, 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 fashion
It might be unbelievable
But let's not say, "so long"

It might just be fantastic
Don't get me wrong

Overall Meaning

The Pretenders' song "Don't Get Me Wrong" is a love song with lyrics that express the thrills of passion and attraction. As the first verse begins, the singer is "looking kind of dazzled" as she sees "neon lights" when the person she loves walks by. The second verse suggests that the sight of that person and their greeting alone can take her mind on a journey, as she sails upon a sea where the "mystic moon" is affecting the tide. The chorus repeats the possibility of confusion or misunderstanding as the singer seems to be acting "distracted" and "split like light refracted", but assures that it's all due to the "fireworks" that go off when the person she loves "smiles".

The third verse introduces the idea of serendipity, as the meeting of two people can suddenly cause "thunder showers everywhere", and that there's "something in the air that makes it all worthwhile." Then, the fourth and final verse asks for forgiveness and understanding for her mercurial behavior, which can go from great today to hopeless yesterday, but cautions that if she falls in with the latest fashion, it might be unbelievable, but let's not say goodbye, as it might be fantastic.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't get me wrong
Please do not misunderstand me

If I'm looking kind of dazzled
If I seem mesmerized or overwhelmed

I see neon lights
I am entranced by your presence

Whenever you walk by
Every time you pass me

If you say, "hello", and I take a ride
If you speak to me and I become captivated

Upon a sea where the mystic moon
In a world of mystery and uncertainty

Is playing havoc with the tide
Where emotions and passions are in conflict

If I'm acting so distracted
If I appear unfocused or uninterested

I'm thinking about the fireworks
I am remembering the excitement you bring

That go off when you smile
The joyful feeling I get from your smile

If I split like light refracted
If I disappear suddenly