The song features Cindy Wilson on lead vocals, as well as Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson, and has become a live favorite, even 40 years after its release.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated in his review of the band's debut album that, along with "Planet Claire" and "Rock Lobster", "It's all great fun, but [the album] wouldn't have resonated throughout the years if the group hadn't written such incredibly infectious, memorable tunes as ... 'Dance This Mess Around'.

"[2] In their book The Story of the B-52s, Scott Creney and Brigette Herron wrote: Dance This Mess Around's power is rooted in its slow buildup, the way Cindy takes her time before she explodes.

[3]The B-52's played the song on the TV show Saturday Night Live in January 1980, together with "Rock Lobster".

[2] Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl mentioned seeing the B-52's on this TV episode as a memorable moment in their preteen lives.