The single was released twice, first on 27 March 2006[3] and again on 8 January 2007 at the decision of the band's record labels Polydor and B-Unique.

[4][5] The song's lyrics deal with people's day-to-day lives – getting stuck in the same routines and casting aside ambitions.

Raoul, a sandwich shop owner in Cardiff, was where the band went during days spent in their studio to get away from this drill.

[7][8] "Raoul" was originally released on 27 March 2006 on CD, digital download and limited edition 7" vinyl.

The release had two new tracks along with "Raoul" – "On The Campaign Trail" on the CD single and "Trophy Wives" on the 7" vinyl.

[12] The re-release was accompanied by a cover of Kanye West's "Gold Digger" as a B-side, as well as a new track, "Easy Target".

[15] The globe style artwork was recreated by 'Rock Drops' and used in tour and festival appearances by the band as a stage banner.

[23] Joanne Nugent of Contactmusic.com praised the track saying "definitely worth a listen and easily likeable"[24] Tim Lee of Music OHM had mixed feeling on the song, ending his review with "as derivative additions to an over-saturated genre go, it's damn fine".