Jackson stated that the song was influenced by a real life story he'd read about.
Two songs on the album have been influenced by salsa.
However, the recording was finished two days before the event, so the songs are not influenced by it.
The songs on the album are heavily influenced by American blues music.
The song was heavily influenced by the music of the Byrds.
He tried to created simple songs, influenced by jazz, but at the same time which remind Brazilian music.
According to discogs, the song is influenced by electronic, house and pop music.
The song was influenced by a dance from the twenties called "jiggeln'".
"West End Girls" is a song influenced by hip hop music.
Rundgren identifies how the song was influenced by the Eagles, who were successful at the time.