When comparing the Kinks' original version of "Dandy" to Herman's Hermits' cover, Stewart Mason of AllMusic said, "Herman's Hermits would have the US hit with Ray Davies' 'Dandy,' but the Kinks' own version, from 1966's masterful Face To Face, is far superior to Peter Noone's charming but gormless rendition."
Stewart Mason's commentary on the two versions of "Dandy" highlights the distinction between the Kinks' more skilled performance and Herman's Hermits' less impressive rendition.