Good Girls Don't (song) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Critic Chris Woodstra of AllMusic described the song as an "unforgettable hit". Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times called it the highlight of Get the Knack and suggested had similar flavor to early songs by Sweet. Critic Greil Marcus described the song as a "smutty little Beatles imitation". Author John Borack described the song as "a mean pop tune", noting too that in the song lead singer and songwriter Fieger comes off "like a leering, sexist twit with hormones a-raging." Billboard referred to the song's "hearty harmonica" part and Beatle-esque harmonies, noting that "the music is delivered in tight little notes at top speed." Audio described the song as "irresistible". Wayne Wadhams, David Nathan and Susan Gedutis Lindsay described the song as a "well written pop tune" and note that the music is prettier than "My Sharona" and contains harmonies similar to those in songs by The Searchers and The Hollies. However, they also go on to note that the lyric "portrays a character more doggedly bent on sex than naturally aroused" and represents a "leering, postpubescent sales pitch by a dirty young man." Other critics regarded the song as "derivative" and "sexist".