The dark, enigmatic lyrics of this song have been attributed to many things, including teen suicides in Japan and literary references to Eyes of a Blue Dog.

The "Two-Time Gun mix" was later included on A-ha's 2010 compilation album, 25, which features all of the band's hits, across two CDs.

Bob Stanley from NME wrote, "In the absence of any Stock Aitken Waterman product this is far and away the best chart pop single of the week.

Morten Harket's voice ranges from gruff 'n' moody to its more familiar velveteen lilt, backed by a string arrangement John Barry would be proud of — very good indeed.

"[1] The accompanying music video for "The Blood That Moves the Body" was directed by Andy Morahan and filmed in and around Hotel Regina Louvre[citation needed] in Paris, France.