Don’t Come Around Here No More

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about "Don’t Come Around Here No More" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers! This psychedelic gem from the 1985 album Southern Accents was a bold departure from the band’s usual heartland rock sound, inspired by Tom Petty’s admiration for Prince’s genre-bending style. Petty told author Warren Zanes in Petty: The Biography that he saw Prince’s work as “an attempt at psychedelia” and wanted to create something equally adventurous. The song’s trippy vibe, complete with an electric sitar played by co-writer Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, was meant to sound like “nothing anybody had ever done,” according to Petty himself. Fans on Reddit still rave about the song’s iconic Alice in Wonderland-themed music video, directed by Jeff Stein, where Petty plays a menacing Mad Hatter. The video, which won an MTV Video Music Award, sparked minor controversy for its surreal imagery of Alice being eaten as a cake, but its creepy charm made it a staple on MTV.

The song’s origin story is just as colorful. Dave Stewart, who co-wrote and produced the track, got the idea for the chorus from a real-life moment at Stevie Nicks’ house. After a Eurythmics show in Los Angeles, Stewart witnessed Nicks tell her then-boyfriend Joe Walsh, “Don’t come around here no more!” after kicking him out. That phrase stuck with Stewart, and when he played a demo for Petty, the Heartbreakers frontman convinced him to let the band record it instead of Nicks. A Songfacts commenter noted that Petty was “completely drunk” during much of the Southern Accents sessions, adding a raw edge to his vocals. The collaboration with Stewart also sparked a friendship that led to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys, with Petty joining George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne in the supergroup. Fans on X celebrated the song’s 40th anniversary in 2025, calling the video “THAT VIDEO, THO” for its unforgettable weirdness.

Tom Petty’s journey to rock stardom began in Gainesville, Florida, where he was born on October 20, 1950. His passion for music ignited at age 10 after meeting Elvis Presley on the set of the film Follow That Dream in 1961. Trading a slingshot for a stack of Elvis 45s, young Petty was hooked. By his teens, he was playing in local bands like the Epics, which evolved into Mudcrutch, featuring future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Mudcrutch moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, signing with Shelter Records, but the band fizzled out. Undeterred, Petty reunited with Campbell and Tench, adding Ron Blair and Stan Lynch to form Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1976. Their self-titled debut album, with hits like “American Girl” and “Breakdown,” struggled in the U.S. at first but caught fire in the UK, launching their career. Petty’s fierce commitment to artistic control—famously fighting record labels over pricing and contracts—cemented his reputation as a rock rebel.

Stay connected with Tom Petty’s legacy through the band’s official channels and fan communities. Visit the official website for music, merch, and news. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and tributes. Fans can join vibrant discussions on the Tom Petty Nation Facebook group, a hub for Zoo Freaks and Heartbreakers devotees sharing memories and rare finds. Another great spot is the fan-run Tom Petty Fans website, packed with discographies and tour stories. Spin this track loud, and let’s keep the Heartbreakers’ spirit alive!