Music critic Johnny Rogan described it as "a romantic portrayal of gypsy life and a testimony to [Morrison's] love of radio.
He writes that "in the long, vamped passage right before the climax Morrison's band seems to isolate a moment somewhere between life and its aftermath, a big, baroque entrance hall of a place where you can stop and think about everything that has gone before."
Then he humorously realizes that this is also the place where Morrison introduces the band and wonders how the mourners will feel about hearing all the unknown people's names being called out as they file out of the funeral, but says "I'm not changing my mind, so there.
In the "Young Master Carlson" episode in season 1 of WKRP in Cincinnati, it is the song that Dr. Johnny Fever is playing and singing along to.
When asked about his enjoyment performing in The Last Waltz, Eric Clapton commented that "For me, Muddy [Waters] and Van [Morrison] steal the show.
The band Counting Crows filled in for Van Morrison at his 1993 induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Caravan".