In the US, the song reached number 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and its music video achieved Buzz Bin status on MTV.

[4][5] Speaking of the song's release as a single in the UK, the band's frontman Guy Chadwick told New Musical Express in 1990, "I didn't think [it] was going to be a hit.

"[7] On its release, Simon Williams of New Musical Express picked "I Don't Know Why I Love You" as one of the magazine's "singles of the week".

He described the song as "pleading, bleeding pop genius" and "an example of storming creative simplicity, kicking off like a Jesus Jones sample and climaxing as the collective's finest moment yet".

He added, "Its mix of acoustic and electric guitar is an aromatic blend, and Chadwick's lyrics relay the band's quizzical stance on romance.