"[4] In a 1995 issue of the Big Country fanzine All of Us, drummer Mark Brzezicki picked "You Dreamer" as his favourite of the tracks on Why the Long Face: "Slight change of direction musically and harmonically.

With "You Dreamer" and Energy Orchard's Pain Killer representing Castle Communications, the BPI found evidence that records had been "'bought in' in an attempt to enhance chart positions".

The opening salvo of "You Dreamer", "Message of Love" and "I'm Not Ashamed" set out the band's agenda perfectly; rousing hard rock in the finest British tradition that remains evergreen and peerless.

"[7] Tom Lanham of CMJ New Music Monthly wrote: "From the sweeping opener, "You Dreamer," it's clear that Big Country means business - there's that old familiar E-bow chime, Adamson's perpetual guitar sustain that always seems to echo a clutch of bagpipes wheezing from some Highland crag.

[9] In a review of the 2018 deluxe edition of Why the Long Face, the Hartlepool Mail commented: "The singles, "I'm Not Ashamed" and "You Dreamer", are the equal of most of their more celebrated back catalogue, but made little impact [at the time].