A mid-tempo R&B and soul ballad, composed in the key of D-flat major, the song's lyrics speak about growing up and learning to let go.

It was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of one million copies.

The song also reached number one in Canada and Spain, and the top 10 in Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden.

Additionally, it peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Houston performed the song at the 39th Grammy Awards ceremony, and on the HBO special Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C. in October 1997.

In 1994, Houston signed with 20th Century Fox to play the role of Savannah Jackson in the film Waiting to Exhale, which was adapted from the novel of the same name by Terry McMillan.

[1] Though Babyface visited the set of the film and tried to convince her, Houston was determined not to record songs for the soundtrack.

[1] His opinion was somewhat echoed by Ted Cox, author of the book Whitney Houston, who noted that the soothing quality of the song fitted perfectly with the mood and texture of the movie.

[11] Describing the instrumentation as "silky", Larry Flick of Billboard wrote that Houston's performance was more soulful than before, with far more "vocal colors".

[12] Stephen Holden of The New York Times commented that the song is reminiscent of 1960s girl group records, and the verses speak about growing up and learning to let go.

[14] Larry Flick of Billboard called it "a surprisingly understated shuffle-ballad with soul and far more interesting vocal colors than all the shrieking can provide.

[15] Anthony Violenti of The Buffalo News gave the song a positive review, commenting that Houston's vocals were intoxicating.

He added that the song "has a soothing, gentle feel refreshingly free of Houston’s normal vocal melodramatics.

"[17] James Masterton for Dotmusic deemed it as "a gorgeous piece of very, very hardcore soul with Whitney adopting a breathy, understated vocal style.

[8] While reviewing Houston's compilation Whitney: The Greatest Hits (2000), Christine Galera of Orlando Sentinel expressed her dislike for the song, stating the songs from Waiting to Exhale, including "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and "Why Does It Hurt So Bad", were too mellow.

[24] Rome News-Tribune noted that "'Exhale' has an easygoing, infectious charm", and that Houston "delivers a soulfully relaxed vocal.

"[25] Geoffrey Himes of The Washington Post wrote, "Sounding like someone who has just emptied her lungs after holding her breath a long time, Houston brings a surprisingly mature, world-weary tone to the song.

"[26] "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" was voted number twenty-three on The Village Voice's 1996 Pazz & Jop critics' poll, tied with five other songs, Eels' "Novocaine for the Soul", Everything but the Girl's "Missing", Garbage's "Only Happy When It Rains", Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade", and Underworld's "Born Slippy".

[40] The single stayed at the top of the Hot 100 for just one week, and was replaced by "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

[41][42][43] (That record has since been equalled by Olivia Rodrigo's "Good 4 U", in 2021,[44] and surpassed by the Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber's "Stay", in 2022.

[65] It peaked within the top 20 of the singles charts in a few other countries: number 15 in Austria,[66] 16 in Belgium (Wallonia)[67] and Ireland,[68] 14 in Norway,[69] and 13 in Switzerland.

However, in few other countries, the song managed to reach only the top 40; it peaked at number 22 in Belgium (Flanders), 23 in France, and 26 in Germany.

She was joined by BeBe Winans, Monica, and Shirley Caesar, who was seated in the audience and invited onstage by Houston.

[82] The song was included in the set list of her Nothing but Love World Tour (2010) promoting her seventh studio album, I Look to You (2009).

[83] The performance was released on CD in November 1997, and on DVD and VHS in August 2001, titled Babyface MTV Unplugged NYC 1997.

[84][85] In April 2012, possibly as a tribute to Houston following her death, R&B singer Robin Thicke covered the song and released his rendition as a single.