Drawing influence from the R&B and soul music genre, the song features a piano and keyboard-driven melody, and a strong accompanying drum-beat.

First, on November 8, 2008, she was featured as a guest judge and musical performer of the fifth season of the popular British talent competition, The X Factor.

Additionally, during the show and its preparations, Carey realizes that her ex-lover has found love with one of her fellow dancers, leading her to blow up the car he gave her, as well as its accompaniments in the Mojave Desert.

In an interview with Ed Lover for the radio station Power 105 in New York City, Carey revealed that the song was one of her favorites from the album and that she recorded her vocals within a day.

[3][4][5] A four-track EP consisting of remixes by Jody den Broeder and Ralphi Rosario was released in the United States on December 16, 2008.

In his review of E=MC², Kevin O'Hare of The Republican wrote that Carey "shines" on the song,[16] while Fox News' Roger Friedman described it as "a killer ballad.

[7] The Houston Chronicle's writer Joey Guerra described the single as a "gently grooving ballad that Janet Jackson should be recording instead of wasting her time on tired sex clichés", while commenting, "It's doubtful, however, that Jackson could reach the notes Carey effortlessly hits at the end of the song".

[18] Richard Cromelin from the Los Angeles Times highlighted Carey's raw form of singing on the track, writing, "its unadorned, and her voice is almost leathery in the lower notes.

Cannon further spoke about a scene where Carey is in bed with another man, played by Andrew Karelis, jokingly saying that: "It was one of those situations where I wasn't intimidated but I could've knocked him out at any point.

"[29] The music video for "I Stay In Love" was featured on BET's Access Granted for a behind-the-scenes look and a world premiere on October 27, 2008.

Nick Levine from Digital Spy complimented the video, commenting that it managed "to be both ridiculous and a little bit moving – quite an achievement.

"[22] Entertainment Weekly writer Michael Slezak described Carey's boots as "hot", and considered the cinematography of the music video "gorgeous".

He also complimented several aspects of the video, saying, "Mariah’s bod looks totally smokin’, even if her entire wardrobe should be donated to a charity benefiting teenage strumpets and/or truck-stop hookers.

[20] The commercial for Carey's Luscious Pink fragrance uses part of the "I Stay in Love" music video, with a clip of the song used as audio.

[32] The release published on Carey's official website described the concept of the commercial as "a combination of Mariah's two passions – music and fragrance.

"[32] Due to promotion for E=MC² and the single, Carey was featured as a guest judge and musical act on the fifth series of the popular British talent competition, The X Factor.

[35] According to reports, the episode gained a large increase in viewers due to Carey's presence, and was able to surpass its long-time rival program, Strictly Come Dancing, in the ratings.