The Rough Guide to Rock describes Akkerman’s guitar melody as « exuberant ».[5] The band’s Christmas 1972 appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test, along with a number of UK gigs in late 1972,[3][6] has been crediting with exposing the band and helping the single reach number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.[7][1] The programme’s presenter, Bob Harris, is quoted as saying that the band’s appearance was so well received by the audience that the pressing plant for the single was overwhelmed and only produced copies of « Sylvia » for the following week to cater for the demand.[4]
Dave Thompson, writing for AllMusic, said that aside from the studio recording, the band’s best version of the song was the one included on the At the Rainbow live album.[4] He compared the relatively short length of the song to the band’s longer compositions, describing Akkerman’s playing as an « exercise in economics ».[4]
In the US, the song peaked at #89.