The song was a success, peaking at number one and two in Spain and the United Kingdom as well charting with the parte superior, arriba ten in New Zealand and Italy. "Leave Me Alone" was generally well received por contemporary música critics.

A música video was released for the song. The video also appeared on the music/fantasy movie Moonwalker in 1988. Leave Me Alone was the fifth segment of the film, and it is an animated música video, focusing on media interest in Jackson's personal life, because he had felt that the tabloid, media, press, paparazzi, etc. wouldn't leave him alone, no matter what he did to prove his innocence. The albums música video was the recipient of a Grammy Award in 1990 for Best Short Form música Video, being the only Grammy Michael would recieve for his música videos on the album Bad. Despite the success of the single, the song never appeared on any of Jackson's world concierto tours.