It was released as the lead single from her[a] debut album, Cry Baby (2015), on June 2, 2015.

[3] An alt-pop[4] and electro track,[5] the song uses the chorus from Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" released in 1963, as an interpolation, and also employs the iconic repeating-note horns hook from the original song as the recurring theme throughout.

When I was singing, Kara said my voice reminded her of Judy Garland and artists from that time.

I really wanted to write about no one showing up to my birthday party and the song is perfect inspiration for this theme.

[8] Mike Wass of Idolator noted how both "Pity Party" and Grace's single "You Don't Own Me" are based on Lesley Gore's songs, saying "there seems to be a revival of the late Lesley Gore's music afoot".