Upon release, "Brandy" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Norwood's appearance, as well as the album's timeless appeal. It became a commercial success as well. While initial sales were slow, the album reached the top 20 of the US "Billboard" 200 was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over two million copies in the United States. It experienced similar success in the United Kingdom and Canada, where it was certified silver and gold respectively. Worldwide, the album has sold over 6 million copies.