AllMusic reviewer Ned Raggett describes the song as "a slow-paced semi-waltz with Barbieri's piano taking the lead throughout with wonderful results".

[4] Sylvian's vocals and the piano are accompanied by a string bass and an oboe, both of which were played by session musicians Barry Guy and Andrew Cauthery, respectively, with a keyboard coming in towards the end, also by Barbieri.

[11] John Shearlaw was disparaging in his review for Record Mirror, writing that "David Sylvian reaches out for the ultimate concept with a desperately dreary remix of a 'stage favourite' from the 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' album.

[12] However, in Melody Maker, Paul Simper was more positive, describing "Nightporter" as "an arresting and unexpected single in the wake of their Tin Drum LP.

Shaped round some elegant piano and with Dave Sylvian’s vocals returning to the impressive emotional depths of “Ghosts”, this should give the band’s critics a little food for thought".