Upon its release as a single, Paul Mathar of
Melody Maker commented, "Another daft name, and another pleasant surprise. Trash Can Sinatras seem to have undergone some sort of salvation, deciding they don't really care whether anyone likes them or not and with that carelessness has come the revelation that maybe they're rather good after all." Penny Kiley of the
Liverpool Echo praised it as "Indie pop with a big sound and big emotional pull, bathed in melody". She added, "The band work in the same Scottish pop tradition as bands like
the Bluebells or
Aztec Camera and have much of the same appeal: brains and great tunes." Peter Kinghorn of the
Evening Chronicle noted the "effective piano opening", followed by a "strong tempo" that "contrasts with low-key singing". Nigel Vincent of
The Northern Echo wrote, "Tinkling piano, string arrangements, guitars and strong vocals add up to an inspiring tune". Johnny Dee of
NME was less enthusiastic and described the song as an example of the "kind of music that American College Radio laps up as quality British indie rock and that, coincidentally, no one in Britain seems to like". He added, "MOR fear holds anyone back from truly loving the Trash Cans, they sound just a little too serious and keen on over-production." In a review of ''I've Seen Everything
, Scott Bacon of The Indianapolis Star'' described "Hayfever" as "bouncy" and considered the song to have "hit written all over it". He also praised Nick Ingham's string arrangement which he felt "enhance[d]" the song. Brad Webber of the
Chicago Tribune commented, "On 'Hayfever', Reader wistfully sings about solving life's problems 'with a couple of tablets'." ==Track listing==