[2] Cash Box said that the song is "features beautiful high harmonies on the chorus from John Hiatt as well as a melodically rich guitar lead from Cesar Rosas.

"[3] Spin wrote, "It's a song Los Lobos have been writing in their heads for 12 years.

Los Lobos have endured and the hard-won lessons of more than a decade of playing are now being transferred, practically without effort, into their vibrant music.

It was released in May 1986 as the second single and title track from the album Will the Wolf Survive?.

The song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.