"Weak in the Presence of Beauty" is a song written by Michael Ward and Rob Clarke, and originally recorded by their band, Floy Joy.

"Weak in the Presence of Beauty" marked a new beginning for Floy Joy as the band had undergone line-up changes since the release of their 1984 debut album Into the Hot.

Michael Ward decided to continue as Floy Joy, with the band's percussionist and backing vocalist Desy Campbell becoming the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Clarke joining the group.

"[9] Anna Martin of Number One commented, "The reslease of 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty' sees Floy Joy adopting a slightly more melodious sound.

"[10] Jim Whiteford of the Kilmarnock Standard described the song as "a hummable, commercial ditty" and a "sweet mid-paced dancer" which he believed would gain chart success if it received some attention from radio.

[11] In 1987, "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" was released by English singer Alison Moyet as the second single from her second studio album Raindancing.

Appearing on the This Morning show, Phillip Schofield asked Moyet why she disliked the song, to which she replied: "Oh, because I know how cynical I was being when I recorded it.

[18] On its release, Paul Simper of Number One noted the "pleasant production and leisurely chorus" and Moyet's voice "blossoming in a discreetly unexpected way".

"[21] Lesley O'Toole of Record Mirror praised "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" as Floyjoy's "second finest song" behind "Until You Come Back to Me", but added that Moyet's version was a "lacklustre offering without the luscious tones of Desy Campbell".

She felt the song had a "shimmer of class", but considered the "dodgy brass interlude" and "nauseating 'darling, I love you' ad libs" to make for a "dubious arrangement".

[22] Bobby Lynch of The Kerryman, who stated that Floy Joy's "brilliant" original should have been a hit, commented, "Not an obvious single for Moyet to record but the production is pleasant and its different.

[25] In a review of Raindancing, Spin singled out the song as a "tangible effort to push Moyet into the 'til tuesday camp of semisweet pop".

"[29] In 1987, American band Eddie & the Tide released a Keith Olsen-produced version as the lead single from their third studio album Looking for Adventure.

[44] The Hard Report noted the "straight on assault at the hit single" with the track and added, "We rate it safe but soulful, a la Huey Lewis meets Eddie Money.