This was originally the lead track from The 1975's debut EP, Facedown. It was the first song by the band to be played on UK radio when it featured on Huw Stephens BBC Radio 1 BBC Introducing show as part of the DJ's segment called "Label Of Love." Dirty Hit label owner Jamie Oborne requested the tune as The 1975 were the new artist he was most excited about.
The 1975 re-recorded the song for their debut album. Lead singer Matt Healy explained why they redid the tune to WTGR: "It was the first piece of music that anybody could have ever heard by The 1975, so it's very important to us," he said. "I think that there's a lot to be said about us in that song both sonically, musically and personally. We genuinely did not expect our popularity to accelerate in the way that it did after we released 'Sex' and 'Chocolate' - so we thought it was very important that we took this opportunity to expose as many people as possible to the music that we feel defines us, 'The City' like 'Chocolate' is kinda the blueprint to our band. After we recorded this album version of 'The City', we knew that it was the definitive version and something we wanted people to hear."
Regarding the song's meaning, Healy explained to WTGR: "It's a love song I suppose - a love letter to the baffling cacophony that is teenage self exploration in places loud and inspiring."
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