It was written by the band's bassist John Lodge, and was first released on the Moody Blues' 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord.

On the album, the song is preceded by a spoken word introduction called "Departure" that was written by Graeme Edge.

[3] Billboard described the single as a "blockbuster rocker" that "comes on strong with all the ingredients to spiral [the Moody Blues] to the top in short order" and a "mover from start to finish.

"[4] Cash Box called it a "dance track with powerful teen attraction" and "polished vocals.

[6] Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated it as the Moody Blues' 8th greatest song, describing it as "an uptempo, vibrant rock’n’roll song" that "delivers a scathing attack on people’s desperation to be part of the rat race.