The song was considered to be Spears' standout statement on Britney, and was likened to the powerful ballads written by Diane Warren.

However, it won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song due to the film that it was paired up with.

Though the song was recorded specifically for inclusion in the movie, it was also included on Spears's third studio album, Britney (2001).

[3] Spears considered the song as one of her favorites, while praising Dido for her input into its songwriting, saying "it was truly an honor for you to be part of my album.

"[3] "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" is a pop power ballad, founded on a strong piano melody,[4][5] that lasts for three minutes and 49 seconds.

The song's lyrics talk about the angst and heartache that teenage girls suffer with puberty,[5] where Spears claims, "I used to think I had the answers to everything.

Yale Daily News writer Catherine Halaby called it a "well-executed ballad", while observing that "it comes across as a hybrid of advice to her young female fans on how to deal with puberty, and an explanation of her girly but not childlike attitude.

[4] Katie Perone of the Loyola Greyhound said the song "clearly defines the theme of the record: Britney's growing up, and wants to do her own thing.

"[9] Nayer Nissim, from Pink News, called it "a bit wet and safe, but a standout vocal performance and Britney’s real connection with the lyrics elevates this".

[17][18] In Australia, the song peaked at number seven, and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling over 30,000 physical units of the single.

[23] The accompanying music video for the track was directed by Wayne Isham, who wanted to show Spears "out in nature".

The video was filmed from August 16–17, 2001, on location in Arizona and Alstrom Point, Utah with none of the scenes shot on green screens.

The video primarily consists of Spears, whilst wearing cowboy boots, performing the song whilst standing on the edge of a cliff, and inside a slot canyon: despite her "trepidation" and heavy winds which "almost dropped [her] over", she performed the scene without a safety cable.