But the song keeps a happy, upbeat tone due to the singer's belief in karma: "It's alright" because "you've got to reap what you sow, girl" and she will find herself cheated on as well.

Described as being "driven by one of the catchiest guitar hooks in the history of rock & roll and a devastating vocal performance",[1] the song was first released by Calla Records in 1966, as a single and on the album of the same name.

Subsequent to acquiring the Calla Records catalogue, Warner Bros.-Seven Arts re-released the song in 1969, as a single and on the album The Great J.J. Jackson.

[2] The song featured some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums.

[7] In 1994, Huey Lewis and the News covered the song for their album Four Chords & Several Years Ago.