It was released as a 7" and 12" vinyl single on the Beggars Banquet label in the United Kingdom in August 1987, with "The House That Jack Kerouac Built" as the B-side.

True Tone subsequently in 1988 re-released the single with a new B-side, "The Clarke Sisters".

It boasts one of Grant McLennan's most indelible melodies, which is saying something—at once soaring and stately, embellished by Amanda Brown's stellar oboe accompaniment, it's about as close to epic as the band ever got.

"[5] Mojo agreed, "an all-time band classic, with the best ever oboe solo in rock n roll".

[6] Popmatters' Jason McNeil's considers that the song "returns to the band’s abundant strengths - witty lyrics and music making for heavenly ear candy.