Don’t Do Me Like That

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia about "Don’t Do Me Like That" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers from their killer album Damn the Torpedoes. This track, released in November 1979, was the band’s first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10. Tom Petty originally wrote the song back in 1974 for his earlier band, Mudcrutch, and even recorded a demo with them. He almost handed it over to The J. Geils Band, thinking it matched their vibe, but producer Jimmy Iovine had other plans. During the Damn the Torpedoes sessions, Iovine insisted the song was a hit waiting to happen and convinced Petty to keep it for the Heartbreakers. Billboard loved its “strong lyrical hook” and “urgent” vocal, backed by that solid rock groove. Petty once shared in a 2002 book, Conversations by Paul Zollo, that the song’s title came from a phrase his dad used to say, which he found kinda funny.

Another cool tidbit comes from Peter Wolf of The J. Geils Band, who recalled in a 2017 Rolling Stone post that Petty was seriously considering giving them the song. Wolf thought it was a great fit, but Iovine’s gut feeling won out, and it became a defining track for the Heartbreakers. The song’s soul-tinged energy and that infectious rhythm made it a standout, though it didn’t crack the UK Top 75 despite some airplay on Capital Radio in 1980. Fans on Reddit still rave about the album’s vinyl sound, with one user calling Damn the Torpedoes a “damn near perfect record” and “Don’t Do Me Like That” a personal favorite. It’s got that raw, rebellious spirit that Zoo Crew DJs and our Freaks totally dig.

Now, let’s rewind to how Tom Petty got his start. Born Thomas Earl Petty on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida, he was a music-obsessed kid who got hooked on rock at age 10 after meeting Elvis Presley. By his teens, he was playing in local bands, inspired by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. He started with a group called The Epics, which later became Mudcrutch, and skipped his high school graduation to play a gig. In 1974, Mudcrutch moved to Los Angeles chasing a record deal, landing one with Shelter Records. The band fizzled out, but Petty teamed up with fellow Mudcrutch members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, plus Ron Blair and Stan Lynch, to form The Heartbreakers in 1976. Their self-titled debut album dropped that year, with singles like “American Girl” and “Breakdown” gaining traction in the UK before catching on in the US.

Petty was known for his stubborn fight for artistic control, famously battling record labels to protect his music. Damn the Torpedoes, released in 1979, was a breakthrough, going triple platinum and cementing his status as a rock legend. Over his career, he sold over 80 million records, earned a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and joined the supergroup Traveling Wilburys with icons like George Harrison and Bob Dylan. His music, blending heartland rock with Southern roots, spoke to underdogs and outcasts, much like our Zoo Freaks out there spinning records with the Crew.

Stay connected with Tom Petty’s legacy through his official website, where you can find music, merch, and news. Check out the official Facebook page for updates and fan love, or follow along on Instagram for throwback photos and videos. On X, the official account shares quotes and clips, like a 2022 post highlighting “Don’t Do Me Like That” as an “all-timer.” Fans can dive deeper at sites like TomPetty.com or join Tom Petty Nation on Facebook, a group buzzing with Heartbreakers devotees sharing stories and vinyl finds. There’s also r/TomPetty on Reddit for fan discussions and tributes. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!