[2] AllMusic critic Joe Viglione described "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" as sounding like a sequel to "The Right Thing to Do," from Simon's previous album No Secrets from 1972.

[3] The lyrics state that after a new, wonderful person has entered the singer's life, she no longer has time or reason for suffering over past lovers lost.

[3] Viglione praises producer Richard Perry for "very cleverly accentuating Simon's emotions" by using classical instruments in the song.

"[8] Record World called it "a high-flyin' solo ballad, kept aloft by winds of melodic, orchestral and tempo changes.

[3] Music critic Robert Christgau called "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" "the most insidious let's-write-God-a-love-song to date".