Steinberg stated that he was "a little bit influenced" by the Knack hit "My Sharona" in writing "How Do I Make You." He originally recorded the song with his band Billy Thermal as one of several demos produced while the band was signed to Planet Records. The label ultimately did not release these songs. However, several Billy Thermal demos, including "How Do I Make You", were eventually included on a Billy Thermal EP released by Kinetic Records, a Los Angeles-based independent label.

According to Steinberg, the song's later rise to fame was born from a relationship between Billy Thermal's guitarist, Craig Hull, and Wendy Waldman, a backing vocalist for Linda Ronstadt's live shows: "without asking my permission or anything, Wendy and Craig played the Billy Thermal demos for Linda Ronstadt, and Linda liked the song 'How Do I Make You.'"

"How Do I Make You", which ultimately featured Nicolette Larson on backing vocals, was released as an advance single from the album Mad Love. It exemplified Ronstadt's Rock evolution, propelling her stardom in the direction of new wave. Shipped on January 15, 1980, "How Do I Make You" hit number 6 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, it reached a peak of number 10.

A non-album track: Ronstadt's version of the traditional "Rambler Gambler," served as the B-side of "How Do I Make You" and was serviced to C&W radio, charting on the Billboard C&W chart at number 42.

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