Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards,[1] it was recorded in late 1965 and released as a single in February 1966.

[2][3] Here the riff is extended into a long blues chord progression behind lyrics similar to those of their previous UK single, "Get Off of My Cloud", and the verse alternates with a bridge theme.

Cash Box described the single as a "pulsating, hard-driving fast-moving bluesy affair about a sensitive gal who lets her guy get him down.

Like many early Rolling Stones recordings, "19th Nervous Breakdown" has been officially released only in mono sound.

[9] "19th Nervous Breakdown" has further appeared on numerous Stones compilations, including Hot Rocks 1964–1971 (1971),[10] Singles Collection: The London Years (1989),[11] Forty Licks (2002),[12] and GRRR!