Written by Stansfield with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, the song's lyrics is told from the perspective of a hardworking[1] and long-suffering[2] housewife who is hurt by her husband's insensitive remarks.
Considine from The Baltimore Sun said about the lyrics, "It's an archetypal romantic confrontation, starting off with tempers flaring and ending with a tender reconciliation.
[4] Clark and DeVaney from Cashbox viewed them as "a cry for renewed love in relationships that have lost their spark and gently reminds us of the complacency trap couples fall into when they start to take each other for granted.
"[8] Mike Joyce from The Washington Post remarked that they "explore the darker side of a working-class relationship, a portrait that is, by turns, despairing, defiant and optimistic.
"[12] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "deeply affecting ballad", and "easily Stansfield's strongest performance to date; she is caressed by muted strings and a soft, R&B-grounded bass line.
[14] A reviewer from Boston Herald wrote that the "husky-voiced singer purrs through a string of lushly orchestrated dance/pop love ballads", as "All Woman".
[6] Another Gavin Report editor stated, "Lest there by any doubt...Ms. Stanfield can carry a tune and this song of feminine affirmation is a home run.
[1] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that it is a "smooth ballad, not heard anymore since the top days of Shirley Bassey", adding that Stansfield "should be an excellent choice to sing lead on a future 007 soundtrack.
[18] Mike Joyce from The Washington Post named "All Woman" "the album's most moving performance", having Stansfield venturing "far beyond the usual radio fodder".