The project consisted of ten tracks, six of which were composed by producers Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher.

This prompted West to make changes in career, beginning with a management shift in the late 1970s.

Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher produced the majority of the project while Larry Butler was brought in to help with some of the production.

[7] The album was considered "a departure" from West's previous studio releases because it relied on pop production.

[1][2] In an interview with Billboard magazine, West explained why the album's sound shifted: "Kenny [Rogers] draws very sophisticated and contemporary fans, and I had to change my style to fit with him.

[7] Also featured was a cover of Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonite" and Cliff Richard's "Hey Mr. Dream Maker".

[8] AllMusic's Tom Roland gave Special Delivery three out of five stars and commented, "With her career revitalized by the duets with Kenny Rogers, West takes a new tack.

"[1] Writers have since pointed to Special Delivery as being one of the country albums that signified a pop transition within the genre.

In his book, Music of the 1980s, Thomas Harrison pointed to Special Delivery as being "a significant example of how country had embraced its pop counterparts.

"[9] David Cantwell of Rolling Stone later explained that the album showcased "the country-soul style of Aretha Franklin’s early hits was absorbed into mainstream country vocalizing.