It was the pair's second collaboration, having previously topped charts around the world with a similar dance production, "When Love Takes Over", in 2009.

Just over a month after release, it topped the US Hot Dance Club Songs and later peaked within the top-ten in the United Kingdom and top-twenty in Ireland and New Zealand.

An accompanying music video was directed by Masashi Muto, and portrays Rowland facing herself in various dance-off scenes.

[1] However in a 2010 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rowland stated the decision to leave was not hers: the label ended their contract because singles from the previous record Ms. Kelly did not sell sufficiently well.

[8] It was written by Kelly Rowland, Rico Love, David Guetta and Sandy Vee[9][10] with deliberate grammar errors such as "there's no other who do it like I do it" and "you won't find no lady who does it like I does it".

"[15] Then during the video shoot of the song Rowland said "I feel like I've finally come into my own," a reference to the exploration of a new musical sound.

[17] Rowland felt she was trying something different: "In this generation and this day and time, no one is putting soul in dance music ... no pop artist.

"[17] At Pat Field's Disco Party in New York, she told Universal Music Group executives "I know in my gut that it felt good.

[29] This speculation was confirmed when the Ne-Yo-penned, "Shake Them Haters Off"[30] was set to impact on radio stations in the United States.

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy said "It looks as though they're going to be ruling the airwaves all over again ... After she lulls us into a false sense of security ("I feel like the DJ is bodyguard / You see the way he keeps me safe?

The result isn't quite as fresh and inventive as some of Guetta's recent output – Kelis' 'Acapella', for example – but it goes a long way towards recapturing some of last summer's magic.

"[7] The site's other reviewer, Nick Levine, agreed saying that the song "thumps as persuasively as Muhammad Ali circa 1967.

"[6] Robert Daw of Idolator said "if you think Ms. Kelly is taking the go-go boots off anytime soon, then you'd best go lean against the wall, flower.

[34] With Alex Catarinella of Paper saying "she belts out soaring vocals, is further proof that she's no longer the cute teenage girl sharing a chorus.

Even if the words have a double meaning, which hints that they are merely mouthing the self-regard of a rampant egomaniac, who is laughing and rubbing his hands every time they start to sing, they don't mind.

"[11] Gavin Martin of The Mirror made similar comments neither praising nor criticizing the song, instead saying it will put her "firmly in control of the dance floor".

[39] Jeremy Helligar of 'True/Slant' offered an explanation of why the commercial prospects for "Commander" were limited in the United States, writing, "the dance music Rowland favors is a bit edgier than the danceable pop that Lady Gaga consistently takes to the top of the charts".

[71] Muto's previous work includes "I Will Be Here" for Dutch disc jockey Tiësto, as well as promo clips for Pepsi and Honda.

[16] The Los Angeles Times was one of several media outlets present during the video shoot and were able to release exclusive "behind the scenes" footage on May 10, 2010.

[19] As of July 6, 2010[update] and according to a press release from Universal Motown, the video has received critical acclaim with over two million Vevo views.

[86] The theme, wardrobe, and choreography also drew comparisons to Jackson's "Feedback" video, with HitFix commenting "Rowland even has Janet's singular and straight pony tail.

"[90] Alyssa Rosenberg of The Atlantic agreed, calling the clip "dopey ... with guys who forgot to wash the home dye out of their hair" (sic) and the dancing was on-par with sci-fi film The Matrix Reloaded.

"[82] Rowland debuted "Commander" live at Cathy Guetta's Fuck Me I'm Famous party in Miami, as part of Winter Music Conference on March 27, 2010.

[22] Rowland performed "Commander" at KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2010 Staples Centre (Los Angeles) on May 15, 2010.

[93] International promotion for the song began a week later with live UK debut of "Commander" at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.

[96] Rowland has subsequently appeared three more times in the UK on GMTV,[97] an acoustic performance on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge;[98] as well as The 5 O'Clock Show.

[101] The music was also used in the presentation of delegates and opening number of the live telecast of Miss Universe 2010 in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.

With glamour set to max and drama cranked up to full power 'Commander' is proof that Kelly means business!

[8] In a 2020 feature titled "Should Have Been Bigger" on the website Idolator, Mike Wass reflected on the song a decade calling it a "banger" and stating that it had obvious appeal with "[Rowland] preaching female empowerment over gargantuan club beats".

[69] Reviewing the song ten years later, Wass remarked that with "powerful lyrics to the soaring vocal and slick production, all elements came together perfectly."