Tom Petty wrote some of the most instantly recognizable rock songs of the past 50 years — tracks that seem effortlessly catchy and timeless. But even classics can be divisive behind the scenes: according to longtime Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, there was one Tom Petty song he didn’t enjoy playing — and the reason wasn’t what you’d expect.
The song in question was “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” released in 1985 on Petty’s solo album Southern Accents. It quickly became a hit, famous for its swirling, psychedelic production and unusual structure compared to Petty’s usual straight-ahead rock sound.
But for Campbell, the song didn’t come naturally — not because it wasn’t good, but because it was so different from the Heartbreakers’ core style.
In interviews, Campbell has described how the band struggled with the song’s arrangement and feel during rehearsals. He didn’t dislike Petty or the writing — he simply didn’t feel at home in that particular musical space. As a guitarist whose strength lay in lean, roots-driven rock and roll, the atmospheric texture of “Don’t Come Around Here No More” was an outlier. Its delay-laden guitars, unusual chord shifts, and dreamlike vibe were a departure from the Heartbreakers’ usual groove.
Petty himself had described the track as born from a specific moment of frustration — inspired in part by a failed relationship and a desire to try something fresh and expressive. The band worked with producer David A. Stewart of Eurythmics for the track, and that collaborative spark pushed the song further away from the Heartbreakers’ typical sound. In Campbell’s view, that made it fun and creative, but also a bit awkward to execute live.
Despite the internal qualms, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” became one of Petty’s most memorable songs, and its music video — inspired by Alice in Wonderland — made it a staple on MTV. Audiences responded to its unusual blend of rock, psychedelia and pop, and the track has endured as one of Petty’s signature tunes.
Campbell’s mixed feelings about performing the song didn’t diminish his respect for it — in interviews, he acknowledged that fans loved its uniqueness and that Petty was right to push boundaries. Rather, his reaction highlights how even great musicians can feel out of their element when stepping outside their comfort zone.
Decades after its release, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” remains a fascinating moment in Petty’s career — proof that experimentation sometimes produces iconic results, even if not everyone in the band was completely comfortable with the ride.
