Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is today one of The Tops' signatures, and was reportedly created—from initial concept to commercial release—in 24 hours.
[3] Holland-Dozier-Holland originally wrote and cut a track of "It's the Same Old Song" for the Supremes in May 1965 before the Four Tops' version in July of that year.
Four Tops tenor Abdul "Duke" Fakir recalled: (Songwriter), Lamont Dozier and I were both a little tipsy and he was changing the channels on the radio.
Critic Maury Dean disputes that there is much in common with "I Can't Help Myself," saying that it is "a dynamic NEW treatment, with just a hint of Benny Benjamin's thundering drums echoing" "I Can't Help Myself.” [6] Allmusic critic Ron Wynn calls "It's the Same Old Song" "a tidy little number" with "one of the greatest lyrical hooks -- and titles -- ever.
"[9] Cash Box described it as a "potent pop-blueser with a rhythmic fruggin’ beat" that was an "excellent follow-up" to "I Can't Help Myself.