The album was produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of the band Chic, and was the project directly following the band's successful self-titled debut album Chic, which featured Wright on vocals.

Norma Jean includes the singles "Saturday", a US R&B Top 20 hit (#15) in July 1978, "Having a Party" and "Sorcerer", and was followed by non-album single "High Society" (R&B #19, January 1980), also produced by the Chic team.

The album was reissued on CD with five bonus tracks by Sequel Records in 2000.

The CD was soon out of print and commanded high prices on the collectors' market until reissued again in 2011 with the 7" versions of "Sorcerer" and "Having a Party" added.

A remixed version of the song also serves as the theme music for British entertainment show Saturday Night Takeaway All tracks written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers unless otherwise noted.