In his review of the song in
Record Mirror, Mike Gardner said "I really can't muster much enthusiasm for a single that is so beautifully produced with layers and whirls of aural texture but goes nowhere beyond decoration. A disappointment." Reviewing the song retrospectively for
AllMusic, Jo-Ann Greene said "the whole number positively simmers, fueled by the hand drums that give the piece an
Afro-beat feel, and sizzling into the clubs via the roiling bass, driving guitar riff and insistent keyboards, all brought to a boil by the vehement bass line."
Dave Wakeling says that the inspiration comes from a nightclub in
Birmingham called
Barbarella's, where "they used to have this dastardly trick at 20 past 2 every morning, because they closed at 2:30, it didn't matter what was happening, whatever record was playing, they would just scratch the record off and turn on the lights"..."it was a story really about wanting to go and dance with somebody and just spending too long, and going over in your mind what you would say, or what you ought to say, or having your friends going, 'Go on, go and talk to her.' And you waited that long for it, you took a big breath and strode towards the dance floor, all the lights in the club went on and the record got scratched up, 'Okay, thank you, good night.' Oh, it's too late now, it's 20 past 2, I've spent all night just watching you. But yeah, it's to do with that shyness to the point of discomfort. And then finally making the bold move just a moment too late." == Track listings ==