It was written by Eric Beall, who also composed the instrumentation in collaboration with Steve Skinner and peaked at number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

[1] The single was the first release from her self-titled debut album, Martha Wash, which was part of her settlement deal with RCA Records after she sued the label over being uncredited for her work on previous songs by Black Box.

[2] The track was her first number-one single as a solo artist on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, reaching the top spot on December 5, 1992.

[4] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "After building a near-legendary reputation as a belter on hits by Black Box, C & C Music Factory, and the Weather Girls, it's difficult to believe that this is Wash's first solo recording.

"[5] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian said in her review of the Martha Wash album, "Things work best when her producer allows her gospel roots to emerge, as on the beautiful inspirational number 'Carry On'.

"[14] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked "Carry On" number 47 in their list of "The 50 Most Inspirational LGBTQ Songs of All Time", noting that "the gospel-inspired, '90s house track [...] has become beloved by the queer community for its soaring melody and unwaveringly hopeful lyrics.