[1] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The Euro-NRG dance music invasion of stateside pop radio airwaves continues with the onset of this riotous anthem, which has already connected with kids everywhere else in the world.

"[2] British Music Week rated it four out of five, adding, "Vibe up your holday memories with this Euro-anthem from the Croatian, courtesy of the golden hands of Stock & Aitken.

"[3] The magazine's Alan Jones noted, "A Euro-style, instantly commercial, summery groove, it boasts a KLF-style rap and a bright pop/dance vocal, with the title phrase borrowing its musical notation from Zucchero's "Senza una donna".

[10][11] After Fox's five-year contract with Jive Records expired, the singer went to Ibiza, where she met DJ Milano, who decided to use her vocals on a cover of "Santa Maria" in 1997.

Music Week gave the song two out of five, writing, "This Euro-dance tune could signal a return to the charts for the page three girl turned born-again Christian.