After forming and being signed to
Geffen Records in 2010 through mass auditioning, the Wanted recorded "All Time Low". It was one of six songs recorded by the band at the time for their debut album due for release in late 2010. The track was co-written by its producer
Steve Mac in collaboration with
Wayne Hector and
Ed Drewett. It was
mixed by Dann Pursey and Ren Swan.
Lyrically, "All Time Low" is written in reference to rising from the difficulty of having someone special constantly on your mind. Speaking to
Orange UK,
Max George interpreted what the song was about: "It's basically about a girl you can't get out of your mind - whatever you do, you just can't - and it describes how to get up from this all time low." Orange UK described "All Time Low" as having a "lovesick" theme to it. The lines "Waiting at the station/I'm late for work, a vital presentation" were said to take reference to
Microsoft PowerPoint by music website
Popjustice, while the line "I'm in pieces, seems like peace is the only thing I'll never know" was highlighted by Fraser McAlpine of the
BBC as being the most memorable in the song in addition to having a devilish internal
rhyme. In August 2010, they performed the song in
Hannover,
Germany at the Dome 55. On 11 September 2010, they performed the song at the
Freedom Festival in
Hull alongside "
Heart Vacancy" and "Lose My Mind". In the
United States, the single was released on 1 July 2011, however, it did not achieve any form of commercial success in the country. However, it did peaked within the top 20 of the
Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. ==Critical reception==