"[2] Music lecturer Ken Bielen interprets the lyrics as suggesting that when the singer obtained what he originally wanted, possibly fame and success, he found them to be "nowhere.

"[7] Young biographer Jimmy McDonough hears an echo of Del Shannon's 1962 song "The Swiss Maid" in the music of "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.

"[5] According to Greenwald, the "Western-influenced melody" and Crazy Horse's playing reflect the theme of appreciating simple country life "perfectly.

"[3] According to Uncut author Andy Gill, "the burly country twang of the astringent guitar riff, tempered by the poignant, sardonic tone of the 'sha-la-la' backing, combine to offer an intriguingly tart take on the new country-rock sound that was miles from the psychedelicized retro-purism of The Byrds and Burritos, and the saccharine sweetness of CS&N.

[2] Downing describes this version as sounding "pretty but passive" with "wistful vocal, beautifully layered guitars, strings and flute solo.

[6] McDonogh describes the Neil Young version as "jaunty, restrained, polite, complete with a rooty-toot-toot Moog solo.