[1][7][8] The other musicians on the recording were Bobby Whitlock on Hammond organ, Carl Radle on bass and percussion, and Jim Gordon on drums, including tabla and backwards snare.

[6] Bill Janovitz of AllMusic noted the raw anguish in Clapton's voice in the pre-chorus and chorus: Do you wanna see me crawl across the floor to you?

[1] Author Jan Reid also praised Clapton's singing on the song, noting that his phrasing managed to suggest that despite the pain he is feeling, the woman's antics remind him of the "joy of just being alive".

[2] In a review upon the album's release, Rolling Stone writer Ed Leimacher called "Bell Bottom Blues" (as well as "Have You Ever Loved a Woman") filler.

[6] Cash Box described the song as "a progressive ballad that should see powerful top forty reception" and as being "instrumentally enticing and surprisingly melodic.

"[14] Billboard said "Eric Clapton's rocking blues ballad, served up in an emotion packed vocal workout is a winner headed for a high Hot 100 spot.