Ever wondered who lends their voices to the hauntingly beautiful female backing vocals on Tom Petty’s iconic track, ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’? It’s a question that dives deep into the song’s mysterious origins and the tangled web of collaborations that brought it to life. But here’s where it gets fascinating: the story behind those vocals is as intriguing as the song itself, involving a star-studded cast of musicians and a series of creative twists that almost left the track in a completely different hands.
Tom Petty, a master of crafting songs about love and heartache, often drew from his own experiences to create timeless music. His peers, too, leaned into this trope, pouring their emotions into lyrics that resonated with audiences worldwide. Petty’s collaborations were no exception. Take, for example, ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,’ a song he wrote for Stevie Nicks post-Fleetwood Mac. The track captures the exhaustion of a relationship that’s lost its spark, with lyrics like, ‘You come knocking on my front door / Same old line you used to use before / And I said, ‘Yeah, well, what am I supposed to do? / I didn’t know what I was getting into.’ It’s a raw, relatable sentiment that showcases Petty’s ability to turn personal pain into art.
But here’s where it gets controversial: ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’ started as a collaboration between Nicks and Eurythmics’ David Stewart, inspired by a late-night party and a breakup with Eagles’ Joe Walsh. Nicks reportedly muttered the titular phrase during the chaos, but the song’s evolution took a turn when Stewart recorded a demo—sans lyrics—and Nicks’ initial attempts at writing them fell flat. Enter Tom Petty, who took the reins and transformed it into the psychedelic masterpiece we know today. And this is the part most people miss: while Nicks didn’t end up singing on the track, her presence is felt throughout, from the Victorian-era imagery in the music video (inspired by Stewart’s surreal encounter with her) to the emotional vulnerability that permeates the song.
The backing vocals, performed by Marilyn Martin, Stephanie Spruill, and Sharon Celani, were originally recorded in Nicks’ absence. When she returned and felt the song had shifted too far from her vision, these vocalists stayed on the final version. Yet, Nicks’ influence remained undeniable—Stewart even likened her antics to a scene from Alice in Wonderland, a theme that became central to the music video. Is it fair that Nicks was excluded from the final recording, or did Petty rightfully claim the song as his own?
Stewart’s reflection on the encounter adds another layer: ‘I really liked Stevie, and she seemed vulnerable and fragile when I was leaving that morning. I was thinking about that and the situation she was in, and I started singing, ‘Don’t come around here no more.’ This emotional core is what makes the song so powerful, even if Nicks’ voice isn’t on it. And had Petty not taken control, the track might have ended up on Nicks’ Rock A Little album, making her absence a near-miss of epic proportions.
So, who sings those backing vocals? Marilyn Martin, Stephanie Spruill, and Sharon Celani. But the real question is: Who owns the soul of ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’? Is it Petty, who finished it? Nicks, who inspired it? Or Stewart, who started it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.