[1] Like parts of "Roadhouse Blues" and several other Doors songs, "You Make Me Real" was inspired by Morrison's girlfriend Pamela Courson.

"[1] Cash Box described "You Make Me Real" as "a sampling of rowdy rock in the manner of old fashioned material but with an instrumental refinement" and as a "rousing rhythm side with flashy Morrison vocal.

"[7] Billboard called it "a rousing rocker" on which the Doors "really [let] loose," saying that it is a "perfect discotheque item that's loaded with sales appeal.

[12] AllMusic critic Thom Jurek said that the song "underscores the blues-rock motif [of Morrison Hotel], with roiling electric piano, stinging guitar vamps, and Densmore's swaggering shuffle.

"[2] Chicago Tribune critic Lew Harris said that it represents "the group's contribution to the Rock Revival, if only in basic structure" and particularly praised Manzarek's "Jerry Lee Lewis piano.

[11] Tony Thompson said that is not one of the Doors' great songs and wonders why it was chosen over "Roadhouse Blues" and other Morrison Hotel tracks to be the lead single from the album.