It was the first Supremes single to feature new lead singer Jean Terrell in place of Diana Ross, who officially left the group for a solo career two weeks before the recording of this song in January 1970.

[2] Rashod Ollison of The Virginian-Pilot, described "Up the Ladder to the Roof" as 'one of the most buoyant singles in Motown's fabled catalog' with 'lush orchestration undergirded by a rock-steady rhythm section, an arrangement that floats comfortably between pop and soul without ever settling in either category.'

Ollison also noted 'Unlike previous Supremes records, the background vocals are more prominent, mixed high above the busy percussion, handclaps and soaring strings.

Greenwald described the song as having 'A fine and well-crafted pop/soul confection,' whilst the 'melody has a sweet melodic soul, couched in the then studio nous that Motown was experimenting.

'[4] Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B−, writing, 'The first of only a handful of post-Diana Ross top 10 hits, this one’s got some funky conga action.