"Big Girls Don't Cry" deviates from the hip hop and urban music of Fergie's previous singles and opts for a more simplistic pop ballad sound that incorporates acoustic elements.

The critical reception of "Big Girls Don't Cry" was positive, with many praising the maturity and simplicity displayed on the single as well as the message.

"Big Girls Don't Cry" also became Fergie's longest-charting and highest-selling single in the US with 3,833,000 units sold as of August 2012.

The music video featured Fergie in apparel designed by Candie's and was used by the brand to promote their clothing line.

"Big Girls Don't Cry" was written by Fergie (credited as Stacy Ferguson) and Toby Gad.

"[3] He was aided by Neil Tucker and Tal Herzberg, who also provided additional editing with the use of Pro Tools technology.

It incorporates elements from different genres such as acoustic folk and is composed by simple drums, synthesizers, violins, strings, viola, and celli.

Spence D. of IGN writes that the album's aura diminishes as "Big Girls Don't Cry" plays and comments "Listening to this song it begins to dawn on you that by this juncture the album has strategically delivered a song tailor made for each of the varying commercial radio formats.

[10] Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song four out of five stars, praising the mood, lyrics and vocals as "mellow, still sexy", "intelligent" and "strong".

Lamb further added that the simple, gentle back lets the track unfolds on its own and that the song represents artistic growth on Fergie and will.i.am's part after time off from the Black Eyed Peas.

[8] Alex MacGregor of UKMix.org compared the single to Gwen Stefani's "4 in the Morning", stating that they both have a timeless, Cyndi Lauper feel to them; he gave a four-star rating to "Big Girls Don't Cry".

[19] "Big Girls Don't Cry" is Fergie's most downloaded song, ahead of "Fergalicious", "Glamorous", "Clumsy", and "London Bridge".

[21] In Australia, "Big Girls Don't Cry" debuted and peaked at number one on the issue dated July 22, 2007.

[22][24] The song was Australia's best-selling single of 2007 and has been certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 140,000 units.

[25] "Big Girls Don't Cry" reached number one on the issue dated July 23, 2007, and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for sales of 15,000 units.

[21] In Sweden, the song entered the top 20 of the Singles chart on July 19, 2007, rising from number 54 the previous week.

The video begins with Fergie getting out of her car (a red 1969 Mustang fastback) and going inside a warehouse where she meets her band and practices.

As the third verse begins, Fergie is walking around a warehouse singing while wearing a tan-gray baby doll dress.