Upon the song's re-issue as a single in 1988, "Smash Hits" selected it as their "single of the fortnight" during April 1988. Reviewer Tom Doyle said: "This is a classic "waxing" and no mistake. It originally flopped without dignity, but at least the Lover Speaks have the rather good sense to realise this record deserves to be top five and that nothing less will do. You're sure to recognise it, and whimper and blub at the tale of lurve gone mouldy which unfolds."