Glenn Tilbrook commented, "Gilson's influence in the arrangement was massive, not bringing the drums in until the third verse.

"[2] Chris Difford offered similar praise, stating, "Gilson constructed a washing line of bottles and bits of metal and tin and played them instead of a drum kit.

"[2] "Goodbye Girl" was released as the debut single from the band's sophomore 1979 album Cool for Cats.

The album version describes losing a "blue address book" and "the money in the fur coat".

In 2007, the reunited Squeeze recorded a new, guitar-heavy version of "Goodbye Girl" for an Under Armour television advertisement.

[4] Writer Anna Borg ranked the song fourth on her list of best Squeeze songs, writing, "Famous for confounding US audiences with odd slang like 'lino' for linoleum, 'Goodbye Girl' is classic Squeeze in that it tells a story with a rather dire ending for our romantic hero.