It was written by Graham McPherson and Chris Foreman, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.

[3] Upon its release as a single, Paul Bursche of Number One described "Yesterday's Men" as "a grim portrait of a land without hope" and "a real grower that finally emerges into one of the best songs the group have ever done".

[4] Ian Cranna of Smash Hits wrote, This mournful little exhortation to hang on in there with gentle percussion and varied instrumental weaving must be quite satisfying to record after being so nutty for so long, but it's hardly soul-stirring stuff.

He praised Suggs' vocals for "fast becoming the vehicle to carry off such sentiments" and noted the song's "lilting and haunting refrain".

[8] Terry Staunton of Record Collector noted, "The wacky humour of old, already on the wane in their previous outing, Keep Moving, was almost totally eclipsed by sombre tones of resignation, best exemplified on 'Yesterday's Men'.