Composed by Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, with lyrics by Philip Oakey, it is regarded as a seminal work in early synth-pop.

The song was influenced by Kraftwerk, German krautrock such as Can and Neu!, American funk bands Funkadelic and Parliament[7] and the attitudes of punk placed in a different context.

[8] The lyrics, described as "bizarre" and "confused", [9] combine a protest against silk farming with vague mention of oriental religion - ("Listen to the voice of Buddha/saying stop your sericulture").

The Future, a band comprising Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, had just parted company with singer Adi Newton, later of Clock DVA.

[13] A stereo remix of the original mono Fast Product version was released as a single in August 1980 through EMI Records, failing to chart.

This stereo remix was then reissued in January 1982, this time reaching Number 6 in the UK Charts, shortly after the band's commercial breakthrough with Dare and "Don't You Want Me".