The song was written and produced by Cruz alongside Fraser T. Smith, and later released as the album's third single on 5 April 2010.

Originally, Cruz wanted the female vocals to be done by Lady Gaga but opted to switch to Kesha due to heavy influence by Dr. Luke and for finding her voice unique.

The song's accompanying music video was filmed in Los Angeles and London and is presented as taking place in a house party.

A "spanglish version" of "Dirty Picture" was released as a bonus track from Rokstarr Spanish edition features vocals by Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio.

It unfolds with "Rubio Latiniz[ing] the half Brazilian R&B singer's track by sensually breathing in her raspy voice.

Cruz commented on his decision, stating: "I was thinking about Lady Gaga at first, then I went to a meeting with Dr. Luke and he was telling me about this new girl he was working with.

It had this – I hope she won't mind me saying this, but her voice has this kind of yodely quality to it, the way that she does things and the way that she ends words.

"[3] "Dirty Picture" is song composed in the dance genre, that encompasses a techno beat infused in its backing, as well as synthesizers.

[9] In a review of the album, Mike Diver of BBC wrote that the song was "the kind of track Sugababes should be patching up their every difference ever for.

"[10] In a separate publication from BBC, Fraser McAlpine wrote that although the song's lyrics were dumb, silly and crude, "none of [these] are bad things in themselves.

Anderson wrote, "Building from strobing, techno back beats, Taio melodically, and bluntly, asks his muse to take a few, er, risque pictures for him, before transitioning into speaking voice with the help of party queen Kesha.

"[4] David Jeffries of AllMusic listed the song as one of the album's three best tracks, alongside "Break Your Heart" and "Take You Back.

"[14] Ash Dosanjh from NME wrote that Cruz' downfall on his album was when he acted as the "player", citing "Dirty Picture" as an example.

[21] In the United States, "Dirty Picture" entered and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 96, the same week Rokstarr was released.

It then cuts to a new scene where Cruz is at a house party where everyone is drinking and sending dirty text messages.

[3] A second version of the song, featuring Kesha singing the first verse was included on some editions of her debut album Animal (2010).