Cash Box said that "Elton and the band are in rare form here and prove that rock comes as easily as the ballads do" and that "the hooks are incredible, the vocals are intense and the playing is right there.

"[13] Several radio stations in the United States and elsewhere refused to play the song because of the word "bitch".

For example, in 1976, the program director of WPIX-FM in New York told Billboard, "We will play records that are borderline suggestive records such as 'Disco Lady' by Johnny [sic] Taylor but we will not play 'The Bitch Is Back' by Elton John.

"[14] John responded to the controversy, quipping "some radio stations in America are more puritanical than others.

[11] "Feud", the sixteenth episode of Glee's fourth season, uses "The Bitch Is Back" in a mash-up with Madonna's "Dress You Up", performed by Alex Newell and Blake Jenner.