It was issued as the second single from the album on 26 February 1982, following the success of the band's biggest hit "Senses Working Overtime".

[3] Moulding felt that "the whole Swindon area seemed to be under the hammer", citing the 1978 demolition of the Baptist Tabernacle in favour of a car park as an example.

Virgin had suggested the band record "Ball and Chain" and "Punch and Judy" with Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, the team who produced Madness, for release as a double A-side single.

"Ball and Chain" appeared as the second track on the album, and it was backed by "Punch and Judy" and "Heaven is Paved With Broken Glass" for its single release, both songs having been recorded for but ultimately left off English Settlement.

[11] Writing for Allmusic, critic Ned Raggett noted an "increasing skill" in Moulding's vocal delivery.