Don't You Want Me was released in the UK on 27 November 1981. The B side was "Seconds" another track lifted straight from the "Dare" album. Like previous singles, a 12" version was also issued featuring the original version of "Don't You Want Me" and "Seconds" on the A side and an "extended dance mix" lasting seven and a half minutes on the B side. This mix is also features on the "Love and Dancing" album released under the name of The League Unlimited Orchestra in 1982. To the amazement of the band (and especially Oakey), it entered the UK Singles Chart at No.9
Don't You Want Me sold. On 23 March 2014 the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 and debuted at number 1 in the Scottish singles charts thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club. In 1981 record company Virgin were becoming aware that the promotional music video was evolving into an important marketing tool, with MTV being launched that year. Because it was agreed that the video for Open Your Heart had looked "cheap and nasty", Virgin commissioned a much more elaborate and expensive promotional video for "Don't You Want Me". The video for the song was