Written as a satire on the "mass culture" that Crenshaw disliked, the song was not based on a specific girl.

He explained, "With me it’s always a piece of music first, and I love the composing part of it so much that I don’t want to complicate it by trying to think of words; I deal with those separately.

Crenshaw first came up with the lyrical concept for "Cynical Girl" after being forced to watch an overhead TV while waiting to pay for a traffic ticket.

[7]In another interview, Crenshaw explained, "'I hate TV,' ... is an oddball thing to say in a rock 'n' roll song.

"[9] In the United States, "Cynical Girl" was released as the third single from Crenshaw's debut album in January 1983.

The B-side of the American single included a cover of Buddy Holly's "Rave On" and the non-album Crenshaw original "Somebody Like You".

[10] In the United Kingdom, the song was released as the album's first single, with "You're My Favorite Waste of Time" on the B-side.

Club said that the song has "enough new-wave edge to make Crenshaw sound vital and modern—not just a throwback.