It was released as the second single from the album and remains the band's most recent top-40 hit in the United States as of 2025, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Mick and I hadn't got together in four years since Dirty Work, but as soon as we met up in Barbados for a fortnight, with a couple guitars and pianos, everything was fine."

At the time of release, Jagger said, "This is one of those songs like "Start Me Up", where the minute you hear the opening notes, you head for the dance floor.

"Rock and a Hard Place" was released as the second single from Steel Wheels on 6 November 1989 in the United Kingdom.

A music video was shot at Sullivan Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts during the band's three sold out night stand at that venue and directed by Wayne Isham.