Described as a pop ballad, it was met with mixed reviews from critics with praise drawn towards the group's vocal performance and the song's message, while others deemed it less impactful compared to their previous singles "Wings" and "DNA".

The group performed the track in a recording studio in the accompanying music video and also includes backstage footage from their first two headlining tour dates.

[5] Syco Music released it as the third single from the group's debut album DNA in Ireland on 15 February 2013 and then in the UK two days later as a digital extended play (EP).

[6][7] Composed in 44 time and the key of A major, "Change Your Life" is a pop ballad with a moderate tempo of 80 beats per minute.

The track opens with descending piano arpeggios and a D–A/C♭–E–A chord progression, while the verses have a sequence of D–F♭m–E and mix pop vocals with prominent violin accompaniment and a brief drum and bass break before the chorus.

[8][9][10] Both verses feature solos performed by Leigh-Anne Pinnock in a British-accented spoken rap style, Jesy Nelson who uses a soulful alto and vibrato, and Thirlwall who sings the majority of the song's lines.

In his review for Digital Spy, Lewis Corner gave the song four out of five stars, writing that Little Mix "reaffirm their sisterhood chemistry with pitch-perfect harmonies".

[12] Ailbhe Malone of The Irish Times said the hook "will remain in your head for longer than it ought to", and although "not as immediately impactful" as the group's previous singles "Wings" and "DNA", "by the third listen, you'll be trying to copy Jesy's soulful alto.

[14] Dan Stubbs chose "Change Your Life" as NME's single of the week, but said it "comes out on top simply by not being quite as horrible as the others", commenting, "'You're untouchable!'

[17][18] The song was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and has sold over 247,000 units in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company.

[24] In New Zealand, "Change Your Life" charted at number 29 and received a gold certification from Recorded Music NZ for sales of 7,500 copies.

"[31] The video features product placement of Little Mix's Vivid Imaginations doll range, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Camera brokered by Starcom MediaVest's content division, Liquid Thread.

[32][33][34] It also includes cameo appearances from the group members' mothers Debbie Duffy, Janice White, Deborah Thornhill and Norma Thirlwall.

[31][36] The music video opens with casual scenes of Little Mix backstage and on a tour bus prior to performing at the Rhyl Pavilion.

[32][35] Digital Spy's Alim Kheraj wrote, "It's a truth universally acknowledged that tour videos are a crime against pop.

[48] During The Get Weird Tour in 2016, Little Mix performed the song in bright pink leotards and two-pieces as videos of the group meeting fans were screened above them.