Retrospectively, Vik Iyengar of AllMusic wrote that although Palmer became a slick pop star in the 1980s, Sneakin' Sally displays his roots as a "soul singer deeply rooted in R&B and funk".
In retrospect, Vik Iyengar of AllMusic observed that although Palmer became a polished pop sensation in the 1980s, Sneakin' Sally reveals his roots as a "soul singer deeply rooted in R&B and funk".