The song overall has received mixed reviews. Between
Kris Allen's version and
Adam Lambert's version, Allen's has sold more digital downloads to date. Former
American Idol producer
Nigel Lythgoe described hearing the song as the "only downside" of American Idol's Grand Finale. Misha Berson of
The Seattle Times called the song "perhaps the most tuneless, hackneyed earful of 'inspirational' junk that any American Idol has been saddled with in their last chance at victory". The lyrics of the song have attracted particular criticism, with Gil Kaufman of
MTV describing them as "a titanic mound of turgid clichés", citing the chorus "every step you climb another mountain / every breath is harder to believe / you’ll make it through the pain / weather the hurricane / to get to that one thing / when you think the road is going nowhere / just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams / then take it by the hand and show you that you can".
Billboard reviewed each version separately. On Allen's version, they gave a mixed review, by saying "Even though Allen sings lines like 'there are no boundaries,' his modest presentation implicitly recognizes there actually are. And though he sings he will 'climb another mountain,' this is a vocalist who will reach that peak with a trained, experienced guide." On Lambert's version, they gave a positive review, by saying "There's a slight hitch in his voice, but Lambert gets more comfortable as the rock-of-the-'80s orchestration builds to mind-boggling crescendos. Throwing caution to the wind, and maybe even
leaving his cake out in the rain, Lambert shows on this towering if inelegant power ballad he can 'weather the hurricane.'
HuffPost called this song "regrettable" when comparing it to his song, released as single in 2011, "Aftermath". Allen's single has sold 312,000 copies. ==Track listing==