An "upbeat boogie with a strong chorus line",[1] the lyrics are partly based on Johnson's experience with certain women:[2] You know the Saturday night women, now they love to ape and clown They won't do nothin' but tear yo' reputation down Stop breakin' down Please stop breakin' down[3] The song shares elements with earlier blues songs and became popular largely through later interpretations by other artists, such as Sonny Boy Williamson I in 1945 and the Rolling Stones in 1972.

[8] In 1945, Sonny Boy Williamson I adapted the tune as an early Chicago blues with Big Maceo (piano), Tampa Red (guitar), and Charles Sanders (drums).

[12] In the late 1960s, Junior Wells with Buddy Guy recorded "Stop Breaking Down" for the Coming at You Baby (1968) and Southside Blues Jam (1969) albums.

[13] Critic Chris Handyside identified their choice as inspired and added that Jack White's vocal delivery manages to convey Johnson's sense of desperation.

After the release of Exile on Main St., Allen Klein sued the Rolling Stones for breach of settlement because Jagger and Richards had created their version of "Stop Breaking Down" and composed four other songs on the album while they were under contract with his company, ABKCO.