Rhymes' previous single, "Make It Clap," had failed to reach the top forty on the U.S.

"I Know What You Want" stayed in the top forty for twenty-one weeks, and was ranked 17 on the Hot 100 2003 year-end chart.

For Carey, it was a return to form after a string of unsuccessful singles, and it became one of her biggest hits in years.

It features Busta Rhymes, the Flipmode Squad, and Carey lounging around an expensive mansion as they debate whether they "know what they want".

Her husband in the video is played by martial artist and actor Michael Jai White.