It was Nilsson's most commercially successful work, producing three of his best-known songs.

Among these was the number 1 hit "Without You", written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the group Badfinger.

The album performed well at the 1973 Grammy Awards, earning a nomination for Album of the Year, while "Without You" won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

In 2006, Nilsson Schmilsson was ranked number 84 on Pitchfork's "Top 100 Albums of the 1970s".

[12] All tracks are written by Harry Nilsson, except where notedAccording to the 1971 LP credits:[1] Additional personnel Technical ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.