The single was eventually released on Dindisc on 04 August 1981 and had been much anticipated after the success of Enola Gay the previous autumn, which had not received a 'follow-up' single proper. It did in fact lead to the departure of Howlett as the group's producer, being replaced by Richard Manwaring for the upcoming Architecture & Morality album. McCluskey was initially against the release of the song as a single, allegedly because it wasn't 'his song' and also because of differences between himself and Mike Howlett over the production. Souvenir started out as a much slower and more experimental composition by Humphreys and Cooper, and also made use of recordings of a vocal choir which had been made by former band member Dave Hughes.
