The song received mostly negative-to-mixed reviews from
music critics. Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote a mixed review for
Rolling Stone, stating that on the single will.i.am "strews dodgy rhymes ("I woke up in the morning/Hard like morning wood in the morning") over diamond-bright synths, while J. Lo handles the efficient hook. It all feels a bit perfunctory – except for Mick's guest verse, a kitschy delight delivered in a "
Midnight Rambler" snarl. The website
DJ Booth also gave to the song a mixed review, writing that "this tough-as-nails cut finds Will, "Audiobot" and
Dallas Austin teaming up to craft a danceable synth-percussion beat to back the
B.E.P. mastermind as he delivers his trademark blend of
Auto-Tuned singing and guilty-pleasure punchline lyricism. After a tuneful guest verse from
J-Lo (who also lends her vocals to the chorus), the Rolling Stones frontman grabs the mic to flaunt his considerable swagger (and his poor math skills: "Hard like geometry, trigonometry / This is crazy—psychology") in a gruff closing 16."
Billboard Chris Payne wrote that "The concept sounds crazy, but Will.i.am is the perfect studio whiz to oversee the commotion. The master of ceremonies adds to the fun by referencing "
Back to the Future" to the
Wu-Tang Clan to
Dallas Cowboys owner
Jerry Jones in his opening verse." Magazine
No Ripcord laments in writer Joe River's write-up of the song that "The fact thousands and thousands of years of human achievement and progress have led to this moment makes me want to take a vow of silence and live in a kibbutz" and that it makes him want to "[throw] [him]self off Mount Everest".
Entertainment Weekly writer Melissa Maerz stated in the magazine's write-up of the song "The hardest thing about this electro track? Liking it." ==Commercial performance==