The song, written by Suggs (Graham McPherson) and Mark Bedford,[1] was released as a single in the United Kingdom, and spent seven weeks in the charts peaking at number 18.

The substitution was likely made to avoid releasing two consecutive singles with Carl Smyth as lead vocalist, following the disappointing (by their standards) sales of "Michael Caine" and widespread rumours that Suggs was about to leave, or had already left, the group.

In an interview with Daniel Rachel, for the 2013 book Isle of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters, Suggs explained: "The idea of that song was when you'd hear people say, 'Oh, he's seen better days,' like when you see a guy in a suit looking a bit tatty.

"[3] The single was the final release under Stiff Records and the label did not want to produce an accompanying music video, so the band had to fund it themselves.

It also shows Suggs dancing with his wife Bette Bright, who plays a homeless woman in the video.