The song was originally written by guitarist Mick Jones for the London SS, the band which existed just before Joe Strummer joined to form The Clash. It seems to originally have been about denial in all its forms, and could have been aimed at Jones' then-girlfriend whom he had a fractious relationship with; she also inspired "I'm So Bored With You," the original version of the song that would become "I'm So Bored With The USA." Early Clash guitarist Keith Levene, who left before the group recorded their first album, offered the opinion that "Deny" referred to him, although this is unlikely as it was written and played live while he was still in the group. However it is obvious that the song's subject is a drug addict and the narrator has a severe problem with this.
Mick Jones has said in interviews that Pretenders guitarist Chrissie Hynde "probably helped with the end bit." It is also speculated that Jones took influence from the Sex Pistols' similar song of the time, "Liar," which he would've heard from Pistols bassist Glen Matlock.
"Deny" was recorded in a semi-live style at the Whitfield studios, the same sessions that produced the single version of "White Riot." It uses the studio trick of fade-in, not commonly used by Rock groups but used by The Beatles on "Eight Days a Week." The rhythm guitar riff is also a distant relative to the Who's "The Kids Are Alright."
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