[1] The song originates from a dance called "the Rock" that local kids were doing at the time in Minneapolis.

The extended remix features instrumental solos; Morris Day on drums; samples from "Controversy" and "Annie Christian", two other songs from the same album; and additional, more insistent lyrics.

"Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" was written on the Dirty Mind tour, and is consistent with the minimalist demo-like quality of that album.

Daphne A. Brooks of Pitchfork called the song "an exquisite, mid-tempo dance track with a sinuously insistent bass line that fuels the electric slide togetherness of the party.

"[4] Credits sourced from Benoît Clerc, Guitarcloud, Morris Day and David Ritz.