The eponymous track "Back to Black" explores elements of old-school soul music. The song's sound and beat have been described as similar to vintage girl groups from the 1960s. Its production was noted for its Wall of Sound. Winehouse expresses feelings of hurt and bitterness for a boyfriend who has left her; however, throughout the lyrics she "remains strong" exemplified in the opening lines, "He left no time to regret, Kept his wet, With his same old safe bet, Me and my head high, And my tears dry, Get on without my guy". The song was inspired by her relationship with Fielder-Civil, who had left Winehouse for an ex-girlfriend. The breakup left her going to "black", which to the listener may appear to refer to drinking and depression. However, the "black" she refers to is more likely heroin, which she was openly addicted to. The song's lyrical content consists of a sad goodbye to a relationship with the lyrics being frank. John Murphy of "musicOMH" compared the song's introduction to the Martha and the Vandellas song "Jimmy Mack", adding that it continues to a "much darker place". "Love Is a Losing Game" is a sentimental ballad that invokes Winehouse's chosen metaphor as a pastime that could be "addictive and destructive". Alexis Petridis of "The Guardian" further explains, "Over a solitary electric guitar and subtle drums, voice takes centre stage to [set out her resigned viewpoint that, as with gambling, you can only love for so long before ending up the loser".