The core of the album consist of the material recorded by Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman around 1984.

[2] The sessions originally spawned two singles under the name Common Knowledge, "Don't Break My Heart" and "Victoria".

[3] While the singles failed to get any attention the album was shelved and Gold and Gouldman started anew under the name Wax, which resulted in their debut Magnetic Heaven.

The Common Knowledge tracks remained untouched until 1996 when Andrew Gold re-recorded a solo version of "The King of Showbiz" for his album ...Since 1951.

[3] The original album was finally released in full in 1998 along with three new tracks: "Shanghai Moon", written and recorded in collaboration with Stephen Bishop, "Sometimes" and "First Time In Love",[2] the latter taken from Gold’s ...Since 1951.