[1] Cars biographer Toby Goldstein wrote that it was "an engrossing dramatic excursion that synchronized perfectly with the band's uneasiness concerning their work situation, where conspiracies seem to loom around every corner.
"[1] Rolling Stone critic Ken Tucker felt that lead guitarist Elliot Easton's "prancing, post-Beatles pop runs" on this song are "among the album's few authentic pleasures.
"[11] Fort Lauderdale News critic Cameron Cohick felt it was a Devo imitation, with a vocal that recalled Mark Mothersbaugh and structure that resembled "Jocko Homo", but with weaker lyrics.
[12] Pittsburgh Press critic Pete Bishop felt it set the tone for the album with in being "starkly arranged with a thudding beat, long on Greg Hawkes' high, droning keyboards and short...on Elliot Easton's tasty guitar licks.
"[13] Saginaw News critic Nancy Kuharevicz felt that in the song, Ocasek "plays the petulant adolescent, alternately pleading with and demanding of the girl of his dreams, without much apparent effect.