The mid-tempo song is Mtume's most well-known, proving enormously successful on R&B radio stations when first released.

According to group founder James Mtume, he worked on the song while lead singer Tawatha Agee was out on tour with English band Roxy Music.

A remix of the song was made in 1983 titled the "Fruity Instrumental Mix", produced by Tony Humphries.

This version of the song runs over seven minutes containing mostly instrumental beats featuring the singing vocals of "Juicy Fruit", minus its starting chorus.

This remix also features vocals from the lead singers of "Juicy Fruit" but to a much lesser extent than in the Fruity Instrumental mix.

A heavily filtered disco-edit recut of "Juicy Fruit" by Adana Twins & Doctor Dru was included on Black Jukebox 01, released August 2011.