The single was released in a bewildering array of 7" variants - copies were pressed on standard black vinyl, green vinyl, blue vinyl, red vinyl and yellow vinyl, and the coloured versions also included a poster sleeve. "Gigolo" was substantially edited from the album version, with around two minutes of the introduction excised for single release.
The introduction to the song was closely derived from the song "Gigolo Aunt" by Syd Barrett, which is also referenced in the lyric.
A promotional clip directed by Gerard de Thame helped the single reach No. 29.
The B-side instrumental track "The Portrait" was used in the episode "A Womb with a View" of the television series Moonlighting. The extended version of "The Portrait" (on the 12" single) contained a sample of the Bernard Herrmann-penned untitled theme song from the film Portrait of Jennie (1948).
Track listing
"Gigolo" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 3:59
"The Portrait" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 3:50