“Don’t Start Now” is the lead single from Dua Lipa’s second studio album, her second release of 2019, following “Swan Song” in January. The disco-inspired track kick starts Dua’s new era, first alluded to when a blonde-haired Dua took to social media on October 23, posting a snippet of the track, with the caption “Miss me?”

She went on to announce the song on October 24, 2019, posting another snippet of the track, before revealing its album art. Less than 24 hours prior to its release, one lucky fan was given a preview of the track on BBC Radio 1. Hours later, a Snapchat filter which features a snippet of the song was released to the public alongside a tweet with information on the song and music video’s worldwide premiere.

Ed Millet of TaP Management, whom Dua is managed by, described the track as “more upbeat and dance-y” in an interview with Variety (October 2019).

After the release of the song, Dua previewed a snippet of the music video via a trailer hours before the official music video was released.