 AllMusic journalist Bruce Eder states, "Vandyke is one of those rare talents in English pop music whose songwriting success crossed several genres and eras, from the end of the 1950s right into the 1970s".In his youth he was simply known as John Worsley.After schooling, he began work as a draughtsman prior to his compulsory two years national service which he claims were the happiest two years of his life.