The single was released three separate times by MCA, first in March 1982 with "Cat People" as the A-side, then again two months later with "Paul's Theme" as the A-side, and finally in November 1982 with "Cat People" back on the A-side. Yugoslav-born Hungarian composer Sylvester Levay contributed to the orchestration.
In December 1982, Bowie re-recorded the song for his album Let's Dance, released the following year. This version was also released as the B-side to the title track's single release, and performed on Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour. He had originally planned on using the original version of the song, but Moroder's label MCA Records refused to license it to EMI America. In the re-recorded version of the song, Stevie Ray Vaughan provided the guitar solos and riffs in the song.
See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Colder than the moon
Well, it's been so long
And I've been putting out fire with gasoline
See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their minds
It's been so long
Still this pulsing night
A plague I call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
But you wouldn't believe what I've been through
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
I've been putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire with gasoline
See these tears so blue
An ageless heart that can never mend
These tears can never dry
A judgement made can never bend
See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Just be still with me
You wouldn't believe what I've been through
Well, you've been so long
That's been so long
And I've been putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire
I've been putting out fire
Well, it's been so long, so long, so long
Yes it's been so long, so long, so long
