It was released on 2 June 2011, by Polydor Records, as the lead single from Roberts' debut solo album, Cinderella's Eyes (2011).

Written to feel British and fun, Roberts intended "Beat of My Drum" to be a song which people could sing and dance.

"Beat of My Drum" is a dance-pop song which incorporates elements of indie pop, and has been compared to the work of artists including M.I.A.

"Beat of My Drum" garnered universal acclaim from music critics, with some describing it as more original than solo releases by other members of Girls Aloud; it was also compared to the work of artists such as Kelis and Robyn.

[1] The experience led her to start to develop her debut album,[1] which, lyrically, reflected the difficult times she experienced in Girls Aloud.

[2] Roberts helped to write all of the tracks on Cinderella's Eyes, with the lyrics telling stories of things that happened in her life.

After Diplo reassured the singer that he would help, Roberts revealed that the situation was no longer in her hands and that she would wait for him to contact her with some progress.

[1] Communications were limited between the pair, but when Roberts received Diplo's finished production, she was too nervous to listen to it immediately.

Instead, she burnt the track to a CD, and drove to a deserted field with her younger brother and sister, where she played the song loudly.

[2] Music journalist James Montgomery observed how the song "mashes together every notable pop moment from recent history", pointing out the dancehall rhythms, drum breaks and "electro-vocal tics".

[7] As a result, Roberts stated that the new system was "very scary" as she was not used to releasing a song with comparatively little publicity, and worried about how her "Beat of My Drum" and subsequent singles would chart.

Robert Copsey for Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, saying that "Once named the least desirable member of Girls Aloud, the transformation of Nicola Roberts from pasty and awkward backing singer into glowing, haute couture pop songstress has been a magnificent spectacle.

He said that Roberts had potential for success in the United States, comparing the song to the work of such artists as M.I.A., Robyn and Kelis.

"[8] A writer from Popjustice noted that "Beat of My Drum" "hardly happened by accident" but that "it feels really carefree and spontaneous", explaining "what we mean by that is that you can tell a lot of care and attention has gone into it".

[11] In response to the general acclaim from critics, Roberts wished that the track would be well received amongst her peers, saying "I haven't seen one bad review from the single or album samplers – it seems too good to be true.

[16] James Montgomery wrote that the song was a "supremely saccharine single from erstwhile Girls Aloud member mashes together every notable pop moment in recent history, yet somehow manages to be better that the sum of its parts.

[18] The music video for "Beat of My Drum" was filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Wendy Morgan, who Roberts described as "focused and passionate".

[21] During the video shoot, Roberts further discussed the anxiety of a solo career claiming pressure from Morgan was making her feel uncomfortable.

Shots of an audience lead to Roberts walking to a microphone positioned on a stage before she starts lip-synching, wearing a 1970s style outfit.

After knocking over the microphone stand, Roberts performs a routine with three female back-up dancers in front of multiple speakers.

A writer from MTV Buzzworthy stated they were "sold" on the concept;[24] Roberts performed "Beat of My Drum" for the first time at the 2011 T4 on the Beach in the United Kingdom.