It features replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan,[7] which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were", written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch.

[a] "Ex-Factor" is a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship.

[12] "Ex-Factor", although not as successful as Hill's previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", still entered several international charts.

It spent 22 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21 on the chart dated April 10, 1999.

[13] It also charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, spending 31 weeks and peaking at number seven on March 13, 1999.