The song's performance was largely affected by the blacklisting of Jackson's singles and music videos worldwide due to U.S. Federal Communications Commission fines regarding her controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show incident, with conglomerates such as Viacom and CBS enforcing the boycott.

"I Want You" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

It did not air on MTV nor several other music channels owned by Viacom and CBS due to their boycott of Jackson following her Super Bowl performance incident.

"[2] John Platt, senior Vice President of Virgin Records and EMI Publishing, commented that Damita Jo "is really about positive love and where she's at in her life right now.

The song was among Legend's first major credits along with the West-produced Jay-Z single "Encore", West's remix of Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music", and The Black Eyed Peas' "The Boogie that Be.

Simon Umlauf of CNN commented Ari's contribution "gently caresses" the song, providing "a dramatic edge you won't find anywhere else.

"[7] Due to an early leak, "I Want You" was released for digital download through Virgin Records's website and All Access Music Group on February 22, 2004, though it was not officially sent to radio until March 1, 2004.

A promotional single including the song's E-Smoove remix, music video, and exclusive interview was released for purchase at Regal Cinemas for a limited time.

[2] Michael Paletta of Billboard described its "opening drum downbeat" accompanied by "swirling string crescendos," considered "the perfect backdrop for Jackson's breathy vocals.

Michael Paoletta of Billboard stated, "the retro-vibed song calls to mind the sparkly yet wistful soul of '60s-era girl groups" while maintaining "a contemporary reference".

"[16] Ernest Hardy of LA Weekly called it "a retro affair" with a classic "girl-group arrangement",[20] while a critique from Gashaus noted the song "shimmers with some of Janet's former iridescent glow.

"[21] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian praised its "impossibly lithe basseline", calling it an electronic reconstruction of a 1970s soul ballad, also determined to be "not only inventive, but brilliantly constructed.

"[22] Colin O'Hare from Hot Press called it an "obligatory ballad" which portrays Jackson's musicality, showcasing her "versatility and mastery of a bewildering array of styles.

The review added, "It's squeaky and clean sounding in a sugary, fluff kind of way, almost as if it were a song recorded by Janet years ago and recently rediscovered.

"[25] Jim Abott of Orlando Sentinel classified "the sweetly melodic old-school" song among Jackson's "occasional bursts of inspiration," declaring it was "a beautifully big arrangement that's Motown-esque.

[27] Richard Cromelin of the Los Angeles Times exclaimed the track "has a swooning charm, with a chimes-studded texture that suggests the sweeping light-points of a disco ball.

"[17] Mikael Wood of Baltimore City Paper gave a similar critique, saying the "luscious slow jam" ultimately "shimmers with the sweet lovesickness Karen Carpenter had to fight through a scrim of suburban sang-froid to express.

[19] Music critic Kevin Nottingham ranked it as West's second best production, classifying it as a "gorgeous piece of work", and adding that "the drums hit at the beginning and the listener should already fall in love.

"I Want You", along with Jackson's other singles from Damita Jo and her following two albums, was blacklisted by many major radio formats following her controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show incident that resulted in several media conglomerates receiving massive U.S. Federal Communications Commission fines in its aftermath, such as Viacom, which owns many radio formats, MTV, and CBS, which broadcast the event and owns Clear Channel Communications.

[40] The blacklisting of Jackson drew attention and commentary from music critics, with many claiming the song would likely have achieved greater success if the blockage had not occurred.

Glenn Gamboa of Newsweek stated, "Unfortunately, it's not clear whether these songs will get heard," saying after the incident, "Jackson has been put in the pop culture penalty box.

[43] For this reason, Hollywood casting agents sought a wide variety of extras, ranging from teenage delinquents to mothers picking up her babies and children from day care, and other people commuting by bus to and from work.

Jackson then enters a Boys & Girls Club recreation center to visit Dupri, her boyfriend, and the clip ends as they share a kiss.

[47] In British publication Music Week, Virgin's marketing director Elizabeth Nordy stated that MTV's lack of support due to the Super Bowl incident had been a "major catalyst" in the performance of Jackson's singles.

[49] During promotional campaign for Damita Jo, Jackson performed "I Want You" on Good Morning America, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Much Music, Canada AM, and Spain's Gala Xacobeo.