[1] The song was produced by Kane Beatz and features an uncredited guest appearance from JR Get Money, who performs the hook – which is melodically interpolative of the 2004 song "Float On" by indie rock band Modest Mouse; as a result, band members Isaac Brock, Eric Judy and Benjamin Weikel are credited as co-writers, alongside Dustin Brower, as well as Lupe Fiasco, Kane Beatz and JR Get Money themselves.

The song was a major point of contention for the artist and a reason for the lengthy delay of the album, making the title fitting; as Lupe was told unequivocally by record producers: "If you don't do 'The Show Goes On', your album's not coming out.

On that day, Lyor Cohen came down to play the single for the protest turned celebrating fan base situated outside Atlantic Records.

On February 28, 2011, what the Complex magazine published an interview with Lupe that detailed the background behind the single.

In an interview with The Adelaide Tribune, Lupe expanded further on his feelings toward the record.

Like a record company telling Picasso that we don't need these abstract interpretations of life, where people have to sit down and look at it and break it down.

It's why in the first line of "The Show Goes On" I paraphrase Johnny Rotten at the Sex Pistols' final show: "Have you ever had the feeling that you were being cheated".Writing credits are given to Lupe Fiasco, Isaac Brock, Dustin Brower, Jonathon Brown, Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy and to producer Kane Beatz.

It was directed by Hiro Murai and shows Lupe backstage preparing for a performance.

], the skull and crossbones glove is actually associated with Mastermind Japan the and not Lupe Fiasco's post-punk band, Japanese Cartoon.