Sembello wrote this with his songwriting partner Dennis Matkosky, who got the idea when he saw the William Lustig movie Maniac, which is about a serial killer who stalks his victims in New York City. Sembello told "He came up with the original kernel of inspiration with the basic idea and groove and the temporary lyrics for the chorus were:

“He's a maniac, maniac that's for sure,He will kill your cat and nail him to the door”

But Phil Ramone, producer of the soundtrack who had the vision to see the potential of the song, asked to change it to the present concept of a girl possessed with the passion of a gift for dance. Without Phil it would not have happened."