The band initially recorded 13 songs for use on the record, and performed one song, "I Assassin", live on their June 2007 European tour. The first single was "Dirty Little Rockstar", released in mid-August.
A special edition of the album, called the "Savage Edition", containing an extra CD with 5 additional tracks (two demos, two unreleased album outtakes and one full-length version), was also released. The Taiwanese versions were released with an obi strip, and Japanese pressings contains lyrics in Japanese.
It debuted at #72 on the UK album chart the week after its release, and #63 in Italy. In the United States it debuted at #70 on the top 100, #17 on the Top Rock Albums chart. In Canada it debuted at #29, and the Top Alternative Albums chart at #3. In Croatia it debuted at #7. In Germany at #81.
In 2009, citing issues about albums, frontman Ian Astbury said that Born into This would likely be the last studio album released by the band.[7] However, he has since changed his mind and the band released the follow-ups, Choice of Weapon in 2012 and Hidden City in 2016.
On September 7, 2018, the album was released on pink Vinyl, limited to 2000 copies.[8]