Lava and Atlantic Records released the song as Ford's debut single and the lead one from the album on April 24, 2001.

Ford promoted the song in several ways, including making a music video directed by Chris Applebaum, where she causes havoc at a club and on the streets.

Ford, 21 years old at the time, did not appreciate being told what to do with her music, so she decided to write a song depicting herself as a bad person, going against the label's wishes.

[2][4] Ford recorded the track at The Dojo in Jackson, New Jersey, and Battery Studios in New York City, and she arranged all the vocals.

[8] In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Ford stated that although she did not dislike popstars such as Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson, she was not this type of person and wanted to let people know this fact with "I Wanna Be Bad".

[15][16] Most attention to the song came from backlash after Ford ended her relationship with Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, resulting in the creation of many websites criticizing her and the breakup.

In the video, Ford portrays an ill-mannered woman who flirts with a DJ at a club, seduces police officers while eating doughnuts, and steals their cruiser while they sit in the backseat.

[3] Ford also promoted the song by performing it live at the Pantene Pro-Voice 2001 concert, and it was used in an advertising campaign for Six Flags amusement park.

[1][20] Chuck Taylor of Billboard compared "I Wanna Be Bad" to works by fellow pop singer Britney Spears, citing the "cutesy sing-along chorus" and the ribald lyrical content.

[4] AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the song "catchy" with "post-Britney, Max Martin flair" and noted how it is the only track on the album that is not "startlingly crass".

[21] Due to the song's message of rebellion, "I Wanna Be Bad" has resounded with some of the LGBTQ+ community and turned Ford into an icon.