The accompanying video, directed by Saam, features the singer in various fashion ensembles often contrasting colour with will.i.am, and paying homage to Madonna.

The single was less commercially successful compared to its predecessor "Fight for This Love" but despite not peaking at number one, it went on to become Cole's second consecutive UK top-five and Irish-top ten hit.

[3] Critics stated that the "sophisticated love song"[6] is difficult to class by genre because it was "unconventional", something which Cole agreed when she said, "[its] totally different from anything I've done [with Girls Aloud] or liked before".

Tom Ewing of The Guardian called the song Cheryl's "showcase [...] built on dark loops of treated acoustic guitar and building into a claustrophobic dance track.

"[6] David Balls of Digital Spy wrote, "Snubbing traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure, and beginning with spare acoustic guitar strums, '3 Words' builds slowly towards a throbbing and infectious, if slightly brief, arms-in-the-air climax [...] it's hard to deny that Chez pulls off this less-than-obvious offering with aplomb.

"[10] Vicki Lutas had a mostly negative review for the song saying "at the end of the day it does sound like something you could have made up when you were at school", though she did praise the backing track for being "dark, eerie and cold in a chilling way; in an infectious way".

[11] In the United Kingdom, "3 Words" made its official debut on the UK Singles Chart at number twenty-six, following strong digital sales from the release of the album, two weeks prior.

[27] The first music video was a viral version directed by Vincent Haycock, in the week beginning 19 October 2009[28] "on the only rainy night in Los Angeles in six months.

[32] The video begins with Cole sitting alongside will.i.am, wearing a "Lady Gaga-inspired platinum blonde wig"[30] and a lace veil.

[29] Each scene incorporates "dance shots interspersed with sequences in which the focus falls on the two stars alone, seemingly searching each other, as it were ... experimenting more with her looks and even taking a chance with Lady Gaga-esque outfits for her dancers, including veils that cover their faces and black leotards.

"[32] Meanwhile, David Balls of 'Digital Spy' said "[in] this glitzy split-screen affair, Cheryl looks effortlessly classy and glam as she transforms into an Egyptian goddess and – with more success than a certain Mrs. B (Mel B) back in 2001 [with "Feels so Good"] – shows how to wear a blonde wig without looking like you're on a dirty weekend in the Toon.

Perfectly complementing the song itself, this super-glossy clip also suggests that Cole has a firm eye on global stardom over the next year.