It was released in 1982 by record label Polydor as the first single from the band's fifth studio album, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse.

The song (and the album) was representative of Siouxsie and the Banshees' more elaborate and experimental musical direction at the time.

[3] Rolling Stone noted the influence of German rock in the drums beats: "Siouxsie hits the dance floor in "Slowdive", tapping into the krautrock power groove of bands like Can".

[6][7] "Slowdive" was covered by LCD Soundsystem in January 2005 for an XFM radio session and was also released as the B-side of their "Disco Infiltrator" single.

“Slowdive” was a consistent part of LCD Soundsystem's live set in 2005, serving as the show closer.