In Palmer's home country, the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at #61 on the UK Singles Chart on July 7, 1979.

In the United States, Palmer's version reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on the Canadian RPM chart in 1979.

The Palmer version was remixed with heavier guitars and drums for his greatest hits collection Addictions: Volume 1.

Billboard reviewer Ed Harrison praised Palmer's rendition as "the kind of intelligent rock tune.

"[9] Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers covered the song for the soundtrack of the 1992 slasher film Dr.