Cash Box said that "One Lonely Night" was "even more appealing [than 'Can't Fight This Feeling'] for its chiming chorus and sentiment soaked lyric.

"[4] Greg Kennedy of the Red Deer Advocate called it one of the few "winners" on Wheels Are Turnin', describing it as a "soft-rock love ballad with a truly lush mix of instruments.

"[7] Chicago Tribune critic Jan DeKnock labeled the single the "dud of the week" when it came out, saying that it is a "sappy song" that proves that "when it comes to rock ballads, there's a very fine line between hit and miss.

"[9] Knight News Wire writer Rick Shefchik criticized the song as being "sludgy," whose primary audience is "late '20s to early '30s stockbrokers on cocaine.

"[10] Allmusic critic Mike DeGagne said that the song "throws the spotlight on Cronin's voice, proving that his expertise at carrying out the slow stuff hasn't dwindled.