[2] Louise Wener said of the protagonist of "Sale of the Century": "Love makes you a little insane, yet rationality always kicks in.

"[3] "Sale of the Century" was backed with "Atomic", the band's cover of the Blondie hit single, recorded for the Trainspotting soundtrack.

[4] Billboard magazine were quick to point out that the single and the band were distinctive from other Britpop acts by not borrowing from The Beatles.

[4] "Like all great Top 40 gems, this song has wit, lyrical power, melodic beauty, and a muscular backbeat", Larry Flick wrote in his Billboard review for "Sale of the Century", adding that the song was "one of the most thrilling summer singles for years".

[4] "Sale of the Century" preceded the release of The It Girl, which impacted stores across North America on 18 June 1996.