Billboard described the single as "an infectious folk rocker that should spiral up the charts in short order."[6] Cash Box said that it's a "potent, funky foot-stomper" that should be "another winning item" for Morrison after the success of "Brown Eyed Girl."[7] Record World said "A diddley beat rolls here as Van goes for another click, and he'll make it—big."[8] Rolling Stone critic Dave Marsh described "Ro Ro Rosey" as being "remarkably erotic in the best blues tradition.[9] On the other hand, Hage describes it as being "an unremarkable rocker brimming with sexual double entendres."[5] Greenwald describes it as a "fun track" but states that it is obvious that Morrison was already capable of writing better ones.[4] Music critic Johnny Rogan describes it as an "innocuous rock-blues piece."[2]
The song was released as the follow-up single to Morrison's hit "Brown Eyed Girl."[2][3][5] The b-side of the single was a track that was not included on Blowin' Your Mind called "Chick-A-Boom," which Morrison biographer Clinton Heylin disparaged for silly lyrics such as "I'm going away but I'm coming back/With a ginger cat/What d'ya think of that."[3] The single version of "Ro Ro Rosey" differed from the album version by overdubbing female singers.[3] The "Ro Ro Rosey" single did not replicate the chart success of "Brown Eyed Girl."[2][3][5] The song has been re-released on many of Morrison's compilation albums, particularly those documenting his Bang Records recording sessions.[4]
