"America" is a sardonic attack on the mid-1980s United States, referencing Communism, and worrying about nuclear war, a common theme in Prince's lyrics in the 1980s.

The video for this song, a 10-minute live version, was shot on October 27, 1985 during a "One Off" performance in Nice, France at Théâtre de Verdure and shown on MTV during an entire segment dedicated to the single.

The segment included a live rendition of "America" and a one-on-one interview with fans surrounding Prince.

The B-side of the track is "Girl", a light pop number that speaks of Prince's lust for a woman.

Featuring a minimal drum loop and sparse synthesizer lines, Prince's lust is in such force that he declares, "All I have to do is think about you, and I can have an orgasm," as he invites her to both feel how sweaty his hands have gotten from their meeting, and let him be "the water in your bath".