[3] Music critic Herb Ditzel describes it as being a "tongue-in-cheek devil-may-care basic [rocker] that has its roots in hundreds of songs.

[6] Music critic Ron Kroese views it as displaying Seger's sense of humor and describes the lyrics as presenting "a night of wild partying and dancing as merely sustained foreplay before the real bop can begin.

[8] Musician Alix Dobkin criticized the lyrics of "The Horizontal Bop" for promoting activities which could lead to harmful ramifications for women, such as unwanted pregnancy.

"[11] On the other hand, Billboard described it as being "graced by sterling guitar work, a hot sax solo and Seger's gruff rock vocal.

Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed received praise for his performances on this song during Seger's 1980 tour.