"Stop the World" was released as a digital download and on 7" vinyl on 29 June 2009, and is not included on their debut album A Brief History of Love.

The song was co-produced by the band and British record producer Paul Epworth, and mixed by Rich Costey (who also produced their debut album).

[1] The single also includes an exclusive B-side, titled "Crushed Water."

"Stop the World" was included on the Japanese pressing of A Brief History of Love as a bonus track, as well as being one of two exclusive bonus tracks on the UK iTunes version of the album.

The band "disowned" the track shortly after its release: "Ironically, it was because the track was deemed 'too poppy' by Cordell and Furze that it was dropped from the full-length.