[7] In a review of the album by music website Sputnikmusic, the song was described as "one of the high points on the record – dares to slow things down with a sluggish, dingy melody and disjointed, echoed vocals from Moyet".
[12] In 2016, a deluxe edition of Essex was released by BMG; however, due to limited space across the two discs, none of the remixes of "Ode to Boy" were included.
[13] Upon its release as a single, Alan Jones from Music Week gave it three out of five, commenting that "an aggressively strummed acoustic guitar gives way to Moyet's strident vocals on an intense work which allows her to show the searing side of her voice more than of late".
[14] Patrick Brennan of Hot Press stated, "In her days before Vince Clarke got his technological hands on her, Alison Moyet was quite a raucous rhythm and blues singer.
Fast, acoustic and frenetic 'Ode To Boy' lacks the soul of previously more restrained outings in spite of its energy and lust.
"[15] Lennox Herald felt it was "nearly there as far as a good song goes" and added, "Moyet has a wonderful voice which is not always shown off to great effect but this still lacks that little something for truly massive success.
"[16] In a review of Essex, William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commented that the re-recording was "an unnecessary remake" which had been "arranged to sound like 'Pinball Wizard'.
[18] Penny Black Music writer Adrian Janes commented that "Ode to Boy" "eagerly delights in the female gaze".