[16] He also decided to incorporate a flam, in which two drum strokes are staggered, creating a fuller sound, which Gary considered to be crucial to the song's success.

"[20] In the Pazz & Jop 1979 Critic's Poll, "My Sharona" and Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" were tied for sixth place in the list of top singles of the year.

The beat is urgent, the chorus calls out for drunken shouting along and the guitar solo is a firecracker flash.

[24] The New York Times called the song "an emblem of the new wave era in rock and a prime example of the brevity of pop fame.

"[11] During the making of Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album, producer Quincy Jones aspired to include a rock-and-roll-inspired song in the vein of "My Sharona".

[27][28] In 1994, "My Sharona" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 91,[29] when it was released as part of the Reality Bites soundtrack album.

It was written by Fieger and Averre to fill the band's need for a strong opening track for concerts and later for their Get the Knack album.

"[80] Billboard described "Let Me Out" as "a teen anthem delivered at full throttle" and praised the song's "delightful" harmonies, "slapping" guitars and "perfectly tuned" drumming.

[19] Superchunk and The Mountain Goats drummer Jon Wurster commented on the "full force" of Gary's drumming on "Let Me Out.

"[84] AllMusic critic Mark Deming stated that the live version of "Let Me Out" has "a joyous force nearly any act would envy.

"[86] Classic Rock History critic Skip Anderson called it a "smoking track" and rated it as the Knack's 10th best song.

[89] A 2012 vinyl EP for Record Store Day includes 1978 live performances of "Let Me Out" and "My Sharona" from Los Angeles and two other songs.

The two performances are also included on the live CD of the entire 1978 Los Angeles concert Havin' a Rave-Up.