"Fall Out" was written by drummer Stewart Copeland, and was one of the first songs he presented to lead singer and bassist Sting when the Police were forming.

Both tracks were produced by Stewart Copeland and "Bazza", which was the nickname of engineer Barry Farmer.

The cover art for the single is a photo of the group taken on the roof of Copeland's apartment by his friend Lawrence Impey.

Padovani's unusual grimace on the cover, though appropriate for the punk look of the time, was actually a result of his having a major toothache on the day of the shoot.

"Fall Out" was released on the Illegal Records label, part of the Faulty Products group of companies owned by Copeland's brother Miles.

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Mike Duquette describes the theme as "a man going insane in a post-apocalyptic world.

[6] On the Record Business national chart then widely used in Independent Local Radio, which polled more independent shops, the 1979 release made number 26,[7] and number 34 on the Record Business London chart broadcast on Capital Radio.