The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell's subtle guitar riffs built around suspended chords (as well as drummer Sean Kinney's soft, syncopated drumming) help lend an unusually airy feel to the song.

[4] "No Excuses" use of open, ringing strings has been compared to the style of American rock band R.E.M.,[4] while Guitar Player wrote that Kinney's "crisp, splashy" drum grooves could "turn The Police's Stewart Copeland's head".

The song found moderate airplay on alternative rock radio and is considered by music fans and critics as a grunge staple.

[9][10] Ned Raggett of AllMusic said that the song "proved in spades that Alice in Chains were far more than oppressive doom-mongers" and added, "Topped off with a catchy chorus, it made for another high point for a band seemingly blessed with them.

[16] "No Excuses" was chosen as a playable track on the popular video game Guitar Hero: Metallica and was also released as downloadable content for the Rock Band series.