Upon its release, Jim Whiteford of the
Dundee Evening Telegraph wrote, "Set on a thumping bass line, this up-tempo throbber should restore Joan to the top twenty pretty quickly... it'll also bring her great success in clubland. A hot production, with her distinctive vocal work adding that extra touch of class." Alan Poole of the
Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph stated, "Any Armatrading is good Armatrading, but this is the best – a lively, funky feel with
Steve Lillywhite's mix ensuring a minimum of distractions from the lady's splendid voice." A reviewer for the
Huddersfield Daily Examiner described the song as being "Joan almost at her cynical and economic best". They added that it "deserves to be a hit, but probably won't be". Chris Eary of the
Reading Evening Post summarised, "A change of mood for the lady who exercises her tonsils over a rocky backing. Good stuff." A reviewer for the
Newark Advertiser noted that Armatrading "sounds butch on this ditty, achieved mainly because the backing is so raucous". They continued, "Heavy drums and a bull-frog-base predominate. Synthesizers are there, too, but their contributions are minimal in the mainstream. They do feature more strongly in the breaks." Simon Schofield, writing for the
Yorkshire Evening Press, commented on the "familiar Armatrading musical ground" and noted that it "meanders quite sweetly but takes a long time to get not very far". The
Greenock Telegraph considered it to be a "predictable slice of paranoia from the archetypal unlucky-in-love lady", but noted the "rockier backbeat than usual". David Alpin of the
Halifax Evening Courier called it "enthusiastic but average". The
Lancashire Evening Telegraph felt it was "forgettable" and a "most disappointing release from an occasionaly brilliant artist", with a "poor" chart chance. Roger Holland of
Sounds was negative in his review, writing, "A voice shaped for slight perfections and quiet observations hurls itself to the dogs in some kamikaze plunge for chart action. A big booming sound, fake funk and a pointlessly brutal guitar-rending. Whatever happened to delicacy?" == Track listing ==