In a review for AllMusic, Dave Connolly wrote that he did not enjoy the album as much as her previous self-titled album, declaring that much of it was "like outtakes from that effort". He criticised the lyrics and arrangements, as well as the track placement. However, he praised "Show Some Emotion" and "Willow" as highlights.[7]Robert Christgau, on the other hand, called Armatrading "sometimes funny, always real, and never ever pretentious", but wrote that "most of the meaning of the ordinary-plus lyrics is conveyed by stance and nuance".[8]Trouser Press called Show Some Emotion a "lovely ... casual-sounding album of songs that, if not among her best, are more than presentable and occasionally captivating".[11]The Washington Post wrote that "Armatrading combines influences from her native West Indies and adopted England, and her voice projects both tenderness and power".[12]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Joan Armatrading.
Side One
"Woncha Come on Home" – 2:40
"Show Some Emotion" – 3:31
"Warm Love" – 3:04
"Never Is Too Late" – 5:32
"Peace in Mind" – 3:19
Side Two
"Opportunity" – 3:25
"Mama Mercy" – 2:47
"Get in the Sun" – 3:19
"Willow" – 4:53
"Kissin' and a Huggin'" – 4:42
Personnel
Joan Armatrading – lead vocals, acoustic guitar; thumb piano (mbira) on "Woncha Come on Home"