The video references the films Half Baked, Crossroads, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Michael Jackson's Thriller.
In September 2011, "I Wanna Go" topped Rolling Stone's reader's poll of The Best Songs of the Summer.
The song was written and produced by Max Martin and Shellback, with additional writing by Savan Kotecha.
"I Wanna Go" is a dance-pop and Hi-NRG song that features a heavy bass-line and drum fills reminiscent of English rock band New Order.
An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, premiered on June 22, 2011.