Billboard described the song as a "hypnotic rocker" with "sizzling instrumentation" and "distinctive vocals."
Cash Box described it as being "very similar musically to '
Sultans of Swing', with guitarist/singer Knopfler's invigoratingly unique picking and vocal style."
Record World said that "Knopfler's transcendent writing & guitar skills work well with the magic of
Muscle Shoals."
Smash Hits said, "This is SO like 'Sultans of Swing' it's not true. Look, the only way you'll want this is if you've got (a) more money than sense, and (b) a memory like a sieve." Hubert Bauch of the
Montreal Gazette agreed it was "a fast and nimble piece that matches 'Sultans of Swing'." ==Charts==