In a review of Spellbound for the New York Times News Service republished in The Dispatch, Simon Reynolds said that the track "feebly gestures at the social-awareness-by-numbers of Janet Jackson's second album Rhythm Nation 1814.

"[6] Billboard gave the track a positive review saying it is a "a lyrically uplifting ditty that percolates with an insinuating, new jack-ish groove.

"[7] Dave Sholin of Gavin Report reviewed it favorably saying, "Backed by an intriguing beat, America's most lovable singer/dancer/choreographer provides another new twist to her familiar sound.

[11] Its rapid fall from the number one spot was attributed to have been from the implementation of Nielsen SoundScan by Billboard in 1991, which provided more accuracy and was more sales-oriented; this affected other titles such as Roxette's "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)".

[4] The video was directed by Big TV!,[13] a duo made up of Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom and of which would be the first of multiple times of Abdul working with them.

[18] The video was later mocked on In Living Color, where it was parodied as "Promise of a Thin Me" and took jabs at Abdul's singing voice and also fat-shamed her.