Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne praised Jackson's delivery, writing, "when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it's menacing on the creepy 'Give In to Me' (his best-ever shot at hard rock).

"[9] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, that with "Who Is It" and "Black or White", the single "is one of the few tracks on the album that represent Jackson at his very best and not stifled by machines.

"[10] Alan Jones from Music Week described it as "a moody ballad which unfurls slowly before reaching a fine climax, neatly juxtaposed by Slash's wailing guitar solo."

"[11] Alan Light of Rolling Stone felt that "Give In to Me" "flirts with something more disturbing as Jackson sings, 'Don't try to understand me/Just simply do the things I say' in a grittier, throaty voice while Slash's guitar whips and soars behind him.

"[12] The music video for "Give In to Me"[13] features Jackson performing the song on stage at an indoor rock concert with ex Living Colour bassist Muzz Skillings, Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Gilby Clarke, as well as the band's touring keyboardist Teddy Andreadis and legendary session drummer Tony Thompson.