Crenshaw later pointed to the commercial disappointment as a factor in the deterioration of his relationship with Warner Bros. Records.

"[4] A demo version of the song has been included on the Rhino reissue of Crenshaw's debut album.

[5] Crenshaw credits the song's "big" drum sound to producer Steve Lillywhite.

"[7] "Whenever You're on My Mind" was released as the first single from the Field Day album, backed with "Jungle Rock."

Crenshaw later said "My brother posted on Facebook the other day that 'Whenever You're on My Mind' was playing in a Wendy's in Dallas.

Trouser Press called the song a "joyous number" that "mine[s] Crenshaw's shuffle-pop resources effectively.

"[13] Allmusic's Mark Deming described the song as a "beautiful little tune," while Steve Spears of The Tampa Bay Times wrote that he preferred it to Crenshaw's biggest hit, "Someday, Someway.

"[1][16] Writer Bruce Pollock named it as one of the 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era, calling it "America's finest power pop of the '80s.

"[2] Crenshaw himself has spoken positively of the song, stating, "I always wanted to make a 45 that exploded out of the speakers and grabbed your emotions in the manner of 'When You Walk in the Room' by Jackie DeShannon or 'Be My Baby' by the Ronettes.