[3] As Jackson's US debut single for Virgin, "Obvious Song" was selected by the label as a track they believed would generate play on album, alternative and college radio.

Diana Fried, product manager for Virgin, told Billboard of the label's decision to release it: "They felt Joe had had a long, illustrious career, but without a whole lot of radio successes in his recent past.

They added: "A ringing '60s style guitar arrangement combined with horns and piano lines make this rhythmically dynamic tune a must for modern and album rock formats.

"[10] Parry Gettelman of the Orlando Sentinel considered the song to "perform the difficult task of combining social commentary and pop craftsmanship without sounding preachy or pretentious".

[11] Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone described the song as a "straight-ahead rocker" which "takes aim at an American rock star who drives around in a gasguzzling limo while preaching to a foreigner who makes his living by cutting down trees".