[1] Described as an "ode to underdogs everywhere",[2] the song features lyrics concerning the passage of time and aging contrasted with smaller concepts of getting "shitfaced" and blushing the color of Robitussin.

Directed by Brook Linder, it consists solely of Stephen Malkmus sitting in an alcove in front of a windowpane and surrounded by houseplants, strumming an acoustic guitar and singing.

Sasha Geffen stated: "Malkmus and the Jicks' new song, “Middle America,” fully exploits their frontman's ability to hook his voice around an irresistible melody, then another, then another.

Any of the vocal bars from “Middle America” could be another song's sole refrain, but Malkmus links them all together like he’ll never have to worry about running out of catchy moments—like he produces them effortlessly, in abundance.

"[9] Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone called the song the "sweetest moment" of Sparkle Hard, writing, "It’s Malkmus at his most straightforwardly graceful, strumming a folkie melody like a guy in his backyard figuring life out at his own easeful pace, balancing everyday worry (“time gets me and I wonder how to simplify”) with goofy sweet nothings (“kiss yourself metaphorically”), capping it off with a aphoristic #metoo toast: “Men are scum, I can’t deny/May you be shitfaced the day you die.” Words to live by for sure.