Don't Do Me Like That
Tom & Heartbreakers Petty Lyrics

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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 the 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
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 got this feelin' inside night and day
And now I can't take it no more

Listen honey, can you see?
Baby, you would bury me
If you were in the 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Don't Do Me Like That" speak to the fear of being hurt by a loved one. The song was inspired by a conversation Petty had with a friend who had his heart broken by a woman who claimed to love him and then left him. Petty's friend warned him to be careful too, lest he end up hurt in the same way. This conversation led Petty to write the song about the vulnerability that comes with love and the fear of being betrayed.

Petty encourages his lover not to hurt him in the chorus, singing "Don't do me like that, don't do me like that, what if I love you baby, don't do me like that." He's begging for reassurance that love is genuine and that he won't be hurt. He also warns his lover that they will be hurt themselves if they are unfaithful or dishonest. Petty's gravelly vocals and the infectious chorus make this song a classic, danceable rock-pop song that fans still love today.

Line by Line Meaning

I was talking with a friend of mine
I heard a story from a friend

Said a woman had hurt his pride
He was hurt by a woman he loved

Told him that she loved him so
She professed her love for him

And turned around and let him go
But then she left him

Then he said, you better watch your step
He warned me to be careful

Or your gonna get hurt yourself
Or I'll end up hurt like him

Someone's gonna tell you lies
People will deceive me

Cut you down to size
And hurt my pride

Don't do me like that
Don't treat me badly

What if I love you baby?
What if I truly love you?

Someday I might need you baby
I might need you in the future