It was released as a single in 1977 by British punk rock/new wave group the Tom Robinson Band, and reached No.

The song was the first single released by the Tom Robinson Band, who had formed in January 1977 and was signed to EMI in August 1977.

[2] Robinson came up with the tune 'trying to work out the chords to Climax Blues Band's "Couldn't Get It Right"' which he could not really remember.

However, after touring the band became much tighter, and guitarist Danny Kustow expanded his riffs, which persuaded EMI to release the record.

Although the chorus is based upon a gay liberation chant, this is not clear to the casual listener, so the song is in contrast to their far more blatantly political later songs, covering subjects such as homophobia ("Glad to Be Gay") and civil disorder ("Long Hot Summer").

"2-4-6-8 Motorway" was not issued on a UK album at the time, and Robinson still rues what he calls the "fatal mistake" of omitting the band's most famous songs "2-4-6-8 Motorway" and "Glad to Be Gay" from their debut album Power in the Darkness, although both songs appeared on a 12" bonus record included with the US release of Power in the Darkness.