The song was released for digital download and streaming by Warner Records on 31 October 2019, as the lead single from her second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020).

A nu-disco song, it features a funk bassline, inspired by music by the Bee Gees, Daft Punk and Two Door Cinema Club.

"Don't Start Now" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers noting significant growth in Lipa's sound and vocals.

[1] The song came about after Joe Kentish, the A&R head at Lipa's label Warner Records, challenged Kirkpatrick in late 2018 to recreate the success of "New Rules".

[2] The first writing session took place after Warren invited Ailin and Kirkpatrick to her home in Wyoming to attend a disco night at a local dive bar where songs including Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (1978) were played.

He wanted to abstain from disco for a more 1990s sound in the bridge by adding sub-bass combined with thumb bass guitar and slaps in the drop from Trilian.

To improve the middle eight, Kirkpatrick added a "vocal chop", and extra drums inspired by the Weeknd's song "Can't Feel My Face".

[31] Several 1980s and disco tropes are included in the French bloghouse production,[32][33] which also makes use of laser weapon sound effects, electro-violin stabs and handclaps.

[61] "Don't Start Now" was released for digital download and streaming on 31 October 2019 as the lead single from Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020).

[76] Nick Malone of PopMatters wrote that the song displays significant growth in Lipa's sound and identity, and that she is "springing forth in full colour" with sharper and more distinguishable vocals.

[78] Los Angeles Times pop critic Mikael Wood felt Lipa's vocals had grown more soulful and suited the "delightfully rubbery" song's retro sound.

[79] Similarly, Pitchfork's Matthew Strauss thought that the production suits Lipa and appreciated her non-modulated vocals, writing that "her voice sounds stronger than ever".

[33] Laura Snapes of The Guardian cited Lipa's vocals as the song's best feature, writing that she distinguishes herself from her contemporaries with a classic style, rather than "the charts' predominant rap-influenced sound".

[39] Writing for Variety, Chris Willman felt it brought "a certain kind of deep groove and attitudinal buoyancy back onto the radio at a time we needed it most, which is anytime at all".

[80] Gigwise's Jordan Emery complimented its "satisfyingly catchy hooks and interesting ideas", and "slick bassline that just breathes effortlessness and joy".

[81] Jolie Lash of Spin viewed the bassline as "pop's best in recent memory" and called the song "an 'I Will Survive' for an era when we really need the reassurance".

[87] In The New York Times, Jon Caramanica explained the song was "effective but not overambitious", arguing that Lipa sells its "kiss-off sentiment with rhythm but not punch".

[107] "Don't Start Now" topped the Irish Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks, making it Lipa's fourth chart-topper in Ireland.

[122] In March 2021, the song received a quadruple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for track-equivalent sales of four million units.

[124][125] In September 2020, almost a year following the song's release, Billboard introduced their Global 200 chart and "Don't Start Now" debuted at number 37 and later reached a peak of 30 the following March.

[134] In it, Lipa enters a pub and removes her orange Raf Simons jacket to perform on stage in a yellow Versace bra top and Marni jeans.

[134][135] In the next scene, filmed in the Manhattan social club The Players, she dances at a 19th-century-themed masquerade ball, and notices eyes on paintings coming to life.

[142] She wore a black leotard and was surrounded by a float of 40 dancers in yellow bodysuits during the performance, which was directed by Es Devlin;[131][143] it was acclaimed by the media.

[146] Writing for PopMatters, Evan Sawdey praised Lipa for "nailing tight choreography and delivering a striking stage presence heretofore unseen".

[147] At her 2019 American Music Awards performance on 24 November, she wore a red bodysuit and was backed by a float of dancers in silver costumes during the 1970s-inspired rendition, which featured a giant disco ball and cube-shaped side tables as props.

[151][152] In Japan, Lipa sang "Don't Start Now" in an all-black Versace outfit at the 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards on 4 December 2019; South Korean singer Hwasa of Mamamoo opened for her, staging "New Rules".

[156][157] Lipa performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a string section on 19 December 2019, and on Good Morning America the following day.

[173] For the performance, she wore a belted leopard-print top with black leggings and a gold chain necklace with a diamond, while dancing with backup dancers and a band.

[191] The video game Fortnite also used the song in its soundtrack, where a dance created by Filipino TikTok user Hannah Kaye Balanay was used as an emote.

[37][195][196] American band Echosmith performed an indie rock rendition of the song for a Billboard live at home concert, along with a cover of Coldplay's "Fix You".