The track, written by Robert Byrne and Rick Bowles and produced by David Malloy and Norro Wilson, was released on February 24, 1997, as the fourth and final single from McCready's debut studio album Ten Thousand Angels (1996).

Unlike the previous singles from the album, "A Girl's Gotta Do" did not have a music video.

McCready performed the song at the 32nd ACM Awards in 1997 as part of a "Top New Female Vocalist Medley" alongside nominees Deana Carter and LeAnn Rimes, who performed their hit songs "We Danced Anyway" and "Blue".

The country music website The Boot noted it as a highlight among McCready's songs.

[5] "A Girl's Gotta Do" debuted at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart the week of March 1, 1997, becoming McCready's third and final top-ten single.