Michaelson spoke about the development of the song and stated,
"Girls Chase Boys" started out as a break-up song but took on a deeper meaning as I continued writing. More than just being about my experience, its focus shifted to include the idea that, no matter who or how we love, we are all the same. The video takes that idea one step further, and attempts to turn stereotypical gender roles on their head. Girls don't exclusively chase boys. We all know this. We all chase each other and in the end we are all chasing after the same thing: love.[2]
This song became Michaelson's highest-charting single and biggest airplay hit since "The Way I Am" hit number 37 in 2007, peaking at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as her highest appearance on the Adult Pop Songs chart (number 6). It is also her first appearance on the magazine's Pop Songs chart, debuting at number 40 and reaching number 25. It reached number 38 on the Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs) chart, her first single to list on that chart.
The official music video for "Girls Chase Boys" was released on February 4, 2014.[3] It is a homage to Robert Palmer's 1988 video for "Simply Irresistible", featuring different genders in the dancer roles instead of just women.[4][5]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 38. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201437 into search. Retrieved 16 September 2014.