[9] McCartney biographer Peter Ames Carlin claims that the song "traced the thin line between love and obsession", with "passion in all its unhinged, dangerous glory.

"[10] The song reflects McCartney's recognition that he needed to give his wife more space to pursue her own interests, after Linda had given up her career as a photographer to join his band.

[13] Ultimate Classic Rock contributor Nick DeRiso rated "Letting Go" to be Wings' 10th greatest song, praising its "dark, roiling tone" and how it "explores that narrow space between love and obsession to great effect.

"[13] Robert Rodriguez called it "a strong track topped with a full slab of brass" and noted that it was "one of the Wings' onstage highlights.

"[16] Authors Roy Carr and Tony Tyler described the song as one of the few "genuinely potent" tracks on Venus and Mars but said that McCartney "should have taken his advice and let go.

"[17] In the book The Rough Guide to the Beatles, Chris Ingham wrote "Letting Go" was "an inert sludge rocker," calling it "a disastrous choice for a single.