The theme is not as clearly Bach-like as in "A Whiter Shade of Pale"; nevertheless, the single was, on its release, criticised for being too similar to its predecessor. Cash Box said  that it is "a solid, slow-paced ballad with the same haunting quality in the melody and lyrics which made 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' such a big hit."
The song's theme isn't as clearly Bach-inspired as "A Whiter Shade of Pale," but upon release it was criticized for being too similar to its predecessor. Cash Box magazine described it as a "solid, slow-paced ballad with the same haunting melody and lyrics that made 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' so popular."