On release, the song was viewed as possessing both of the traits that a some reviewers disliked about its parent album: too slow in tempo, and with lyrics "too smug for rock 'n' roll". Stephen Holden of "Rolling Stone" described it as "an oblique defense against public criticism and expectations of a Beatle reunion" and, the "sustained" instrumental break aside, "pretty leaden stuff" due to the funereal pace. The problem, in Woffinden's opinion, was that, with the advent of glam rock in the UK while Harrison delayed following up on his 1970–71 solo success, "half the record-buying public" were more likely to view the song title as a reference to Gary Glitter.