The song was the title track for the 1967 British action film Deadlier Than the Male which featured the character of Bulldog Drummond.

"Deadlier Than the Male" was a minor hit spending six weeks on the UK Singles Chart and peaking at No.

[2] The single was released concurrently that December with the EP Solo John/Solo Scott.

The low sales of the single may have been hit by the label's strategy of releasing them both at once.

[3] The single is essentially a Scott Walker solo release as he sang lead vocals and wrote/co-wrote both tracks.