AllMusic Guide's editorial board gave Merry Clayton four out of five stars and have noted it as an album pick in her catalogue.[1]Billboard called the music "excellent" with "potential to be a monster" commercial success.[2]
Merry Clayton topped out at number 180 on the Billboard 200 and spent 11 weeks on the chart and reached 36 during nine weeks on the Soul charts (later renamed Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums).[3]