"[1] The song was inspired by, according to Parker, "spending a lot of time in Los Angeles.

"[2] He explained of the song's inspiration: I'd spent time there and I was looking around at people, getting into the lifestyle.

[3] A music video for the song was also released, featuring Parker and the Rumour, including Nicky Hopkins.

"[6] Rock Beat Int'l writer Geoff Cabin described the track as a "bouncy, cheerful pop tune" and praised its "sneeringly funny lyrics.

"[7] Comedian Adam Carolla praised the song in his book In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks, writing of radio during the 1980s, "We could be hearing 'Clubland' by Elvis Costello or 'Stupefaction' by Graham Parker, but instead we get 'The Safety Dance' by Men Without Hats.