mark moses from "the phoenix" said "the lack of lyrical substance is so glaring that prince's lame 'manic monday' seems like a thematic highlight". greg baker of "the miami news" wrote in the album's review that "the song should put [t]he bangles on the 'pop 'n' roll' map". a writer in "toledo blade" noted that "manic monday" was "infectious" and, along with "if she knew what she wants", both were "refreshingly melodic". chris willman from the "los angeles times" commented: "the first single 'manic monday' represents slumming songwriter prince's attempt mostly successful save for the inevitable getting down interlude to concoct a modern day mamas and the papas hit."