The song was written by Bob Marley as a positive response to the release of a cover version of Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" by English punk band The Clash, on their first LP.^{[citation needed]} Referring to the party of the title of the song, the lyrics mention several punk and reggae groups: "The Wailers will be there, The Damned, The Jam, The Clash – Maytals will be there, Dr. Feelgood too."

The song was referred to in the Sublime song "Garden Grove" and the Robyn Hitchcock song "Antwoman." The cough heard at the beginning of the song is rumoured to belong to former England football manager Terry Venables.