I Don't Know How to Love Him has been universally acclaimed as the high point of the "Jesus Christ Superstar" soundtrack since the album's September 1970 release; in 2003 "The Rough Guide to Cult Pop" would assess Elliman's performance: "It's rare to hear a singer combine such power and purity of tone in one song, and none of the famous singers who have covered this ballad since have come close." The choice for the first single release went, however, to the track "Superstar" by Murray Head. When a cover of "I Don't Know How to Love Him" by Helen Reddy began moving up the charts in the
I Know I Love Him kiss her soulfully smooth voice within lush settings." Gramophone hailed the album as "a masterpiece in concept and musicianship," calling Wilson "truly superb in every aspect." They highlighted the Marvin Gaye-penned "We Can Make It Baby" and Gordon Parks' "Don't Misunderstand," a song that he had written the previous year for the soundtrack of "Shaft's Big Score!". More recently, Andy Kellman at AllMusic called the album "a deep gem -- laid-back but resonant late-night listening." Despite positive critical reaction, "I Know I Love Him" was not a commercial success when it was released. It only reached #201 on the Billboard