Donald Ades from El Paisano complimented the song as "a refreshing rehash of the 70's soul/dance music explosion that promised for something more refreshing". Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times wrote that it's "an especially well-designed blend of optimistic lyric and understated, almost melancholy vocal (by Caron Wheeler) and instrumental arrangement."Hilburn, Robert (1 July 1989). "Henley, Cherry Lead the Pack for Midyear Picks". Los Angeles Times. Another editor, Duff Marlowe, declared it as a "breezy, romantic composition". Forrest Green III from The Michigan Daily named "Keep On Movin'" "the single of the year by way of its power, range, and scope." He felt that the beat is reminiscent of Eric B.'s "Paid in Full", "which is quickly becoming the blueprint for much of pop music", and also noted the song's "jazzy, semi-sweet piano groove and topped with violin undercurrents from the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra — you've got something really delicious here. Featured singer Caron Wheeler's voice sounds like positivity in motion."
