It was written by band members Rudolf Schenker (guitar) and Klaus Meine (vocals) and released as the lead single from the band's eighth studio album Blackout (1982).

It features Alcatraz Island—with Klaus Meine being the recipient of capital punishment.

The track was originally written in German and much of its meaning changed in translation.

[citation needed] The song reached number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

It also attained the number 1 position on the US Billboard Rock Tracks chart.