Hynde's lyrics contain literary references in addition to the more relationship-based subject matter typical for rock and pop music.

"[7] In the United States, "Don't Get Me Wrong" became the group's second top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No.

[8] It also spent three weeks atop the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in November 1986.

[11] The music video for the song is a tribute to the British 1960s espionage television series The Avengers, with Chrissie Hynde playing Emma Peel searching for John Steed, while being diverted by body doubles and rival agents.

Steed actor Patrick Macnee appears in the original series' footage, with Hynde electronically inserted.