It was the second US (and final UK) single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, reaching number 7 in the US charts, becoming Prince's eighth top-ten hit in a two-year span.

"Pop Life" was recorded before Purple Rain was completed, indicating the new direction Prince wanted to take after the success of that album and film.

Lyrically, the song describes the tiresome and stressful side of the celebrity life, including the pressure that can lead to drug use ("What you putting in your nose?/Is that where all your money goes?").

The US received a "Fresh Dance Mix", which is a remix (by Sheila E.) that included some portions of the longer UK version.

The US B-side of the track was "Hello", written quickly as a response to those who criticized Prince's lack of participation in the "We Are the World" event.