 In choosing "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" over more mainstream shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show", the Beatles ensured that their single reached an audience aligned with countercultural ideology.In his contemporary review of the single, for "Melody Maker", Chris Welch praised the A-side, saying it was a track that took several listens before its full appeal became evident, but he dismissed "Revolution" as "a fuzzy mess, and best forgotten".More impressed, Derek Johnson of the "NME" described "Revolution" as "unashamed rock 'n' roll" but "a cut above the average rock disc, particularly in the thoughtful and highly topical lyric", and "a track that literally shimmers with excitement and awareness".