The song was written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller, although Neil Sedaka is often miscredited as one of the writers.

[4] Greenfield took inspiration in the lyrics from songs such as "Mona Lisa" by Nat King Cole and "Venus" by Frankie Avalon.

[4] In 1962, Jimmy Clanton went to New York after pausing his career to serve with the National Guard, and got in touch with Greenfield and Sedaka to record some songs.

Clanton, however, failed to find other suitable songs, and so he chose to record "Venus in Blue Jeans" as a throwaway.

Carole King arranged the brass and strings, and was responsible for the distinctive horn section on the opening.