It was written by Dan Sembello and Allee Willis and recorded by LaBelle for the motion picture soundtrack album for the 1984 action comedy film Beverly Hills Cop; production was helmed by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey.

The music video features Patti LaBelle singing the track in a recording studio with session musicians.

It intercuts with a young woman (Motown recording artist Desiree Coleman) running through the streets of Manhattan.

She recruits other passers-by who follow her to the studio where Patti and her band are singing.

LaBelle re-recorded "Stir It Up" alongside Joss Stone for the soundtrack to the 2005 Disney animated feature film Chicken Little.