It was written by Meg Keene, a high school friend of Pretenders' lead singer Chrissie Hynde.

According to AllMusic critic Matthew Greenwald, the song has remained popular on adult contemporary radio stations.

[3] According to Spin magazine critic Erik Himmelsbach, "Hymn to Her" is one of the songs presenting "traditional pop sentiments" which Hynde and the Pretenders mixed in with their more vitriolic work.

"[7] Spin's Cullman evaluated "Hymn to Her" as "a stunner" which combines "the spirit behind 'The Mists of Avalon' with the beauty of Sandy Denny's best work.

[3] Ira Robbins and Delvin Neugebauer of Trouser Press described "Hymn To Her" as a "haunting ballad" that was one of the few worthy songs on Get Close.