The single was released during Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour, and the video features footage of Bowie performing with his band in concert at Philadelphia on 20th July 1983. A live version recorded in Montreal on 13th July was included on the B-side.
The single reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., and also reached No.3 in Ireland.
"Modern Love" featured Nile Rodgers and Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar. Rodgers also co-produced the song alongside Bowie.
Bowie re-recorded the track in 1987 with Tina Turner for a Pepsi TV advert, which had a Weird Science storyline.