"Christine" marked a change in musical direction for the band, with new guitarist John McGeoch. The song begins with a distinctive riff played on an acoustic guitar. The post-chorus instrumentation includes electronic organ. The close of the song utilizes a strong flanging effect. The lyrics were inspired by the book The Three Faces of Eve which related the story of Christine Sizemore, a woman who reportedly had 22 different personalities.[1]
The B-side, "Eve White/Eve Black", continues with the theme. Bassist Steven Severin stated in the liner notes for Downside Up: "Again a companion piece to the A side 'Christine'. Eve White and Eve Black were two of Christine Sizemore's more extraordinary personalities, constantly at war."[2]
The band shot a music video for the song with director Clive Richardson, another music video was filmed on the same set for the song "Red Light".[3] Neither featured McGeoch as he was not an artist signed on Polydor yet.[1]
"Christine" was released as a single on 30 May 1980. It peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.[4]
