Upon its release, Frank Edmonds of the
Bury Free Press gave the song a 9 out of 10 rating based on its hit potential but a 1 out of 10 rating based on his own opinion. He wrote, "Scarf-waving, beer-swilling party pub singalong, with a big sound and dramatic build-up. Like '
My Oh My' but even more commercial. Shamelessly aimed at the Christmas [and] New Year market, with an eye to further sales for the next five festive seasons. Words cannot describe how much product this could shift. I loathe it fiercely." Pedro of
Record Mirror remarked that Slade had written a calculated "cheery-beery Xmas singalongaSlade epic" in the "all the lads at the bar swaying terrace style, hands joined and pint mugs raised" and "more the rousing chorus anthem type" than the "knees-up" "
Merry Xmas Everybody". In reference to "My Oh My", the band's Christmas hit from the previous year, he concluded, "Recently, all the bookies drastically lowered the odds on lightning striking twice." Penny Reel of
NME described it as a "heavy metal ballad lout chant". Adrian Jones of
Number One commented that, with the approach of Christmas, "here come Slade with yet another mawkishly sentimental singalong complete with piano and guitar solo". He continued, "The only problem is that they might be a teensy weeny bit too early. Never mind they can always release 'Merry Xmas Everybody' again. Bah, humbug." Richard Bryson of the
Suffolk & Essex Free Press called it "another one of their turgid ballads" and "tailor-made for the singalong after last orders have been called". Derek Oliver of
Kerrang! was negative in his review, stating, "Choked by the stunning similarity to
the Eagles' '
Take It to the Limit' and the stirring orchestration, I could only push the 'reject' button. Slade, I'm afraid, have finally become a cropper." ==Formats==