Yea-Sayers:

"An adequate rather than a particularly inspired Smiths single that still shreds the rest of the week's pop dross. With Candy Darling on the cover, this is, as always, the sleeve of the week."
- Donald McRae, New Musical Express, April 18, 1987

Nay-Sayers:

"...their poorest seven-inch to date."
- Danny Kelly, NME

"Not their finest hour, though it can hardly be described as dull."
- Dylan Jones, i-D

Smiths-Speak:

Interviewer: Do you have a particular Camp Hall of Fame or heroes?
"Yes I do. Candy Darling, she was the cover of 'Sheila Take A Bow'. To be able to inflict Candy Darling on the record buying public was a perfect example of my very dangerous sense of humour."
- Morrissey, NME, 2/25/89