"Nightshift" became their biggest hit after Richie's departure, peaking at number three for the week of April 20 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart,[3] and rising to number one on the Hot Black Singles chart; the single also became a success on the Adult Contemporary and the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts in the first half of that year.

Although the band was against the label decision to release it as a single,[6] it won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Vocal R&B Performance by a Duo/Group.

John Leland of Spin said the song, "puts the group back on the map with a vengeance.

Its spare, lilting Caribbean groove dispenses with the group's penchant for schmaltz, and new lead singer J. D. Nicholas' sweet tenor is all late-night yearning.

Springsteen performed his version of the song with a backing band from Only the Strong Survive on the November 16, 2022, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.