The lyrics may have been inspired by J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf's marriage to actress Faye Dunaway, which ended in a 1979 divorce.

"[3] Justman provides extensive keyboards, which Associated Press critic James Simon feels gives the song "a little extra zing.

[1] Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield notes that the riff was later used by Nirvana in the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

"[8] Cash Box said that the "playfully virulent lyric...mixed with Seth Justman’s whirling keyboards, creates an exciting march-like rhythm.

"[12] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it to be the band's 3rd greatest song, saying that it incorporates "'60s garage-rock guitar," "late-'70s New Wave synths," and "a singalong chorus straight outta the era's arena rock" that "meet for a glorious collision that results in one of the group's heaviest, and best-loved, songs.