Critics were divided in their opinions upon its release. The reviews of the song for US retailers and radio stations in
Billboard and
Cash Box magazines noted that it was the first single released there from the
Through the Barricades album. The editors of
Billboard also wrote that the "rueful rock ballad's thrumming choral production recalls the artier days of
10cc." The editors of
Cash Box opined, "With distinctive style and sophistication, the group's Epic debut should challenge
CHR playlists."
Number One's Max Bell wrote, "Worth buying for the lyrics alone", described Kemp's songwriting as a "masterpiece" and
Steve Norman's saxophone playing as "majestic", and averred that Hadley's singing "would leave
Luciano Pavarotti breathless with admiration". Jane Wilkes of
Record Mirror placed her review of the song in the category she labelled "The Pits".
Smash Hits guest critic
Wayne Hussey wrote, "This is a predictably manicured and mild-mannered song with god-awful sentiments." ==Track listings==