Lead singer Dominique Durand wrote the song with band members Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase, who both produced it.

American musician Eric Matthews performs trumpet on "Lucy Doesn't Love You", alongside Paco member Michael Hampton, who contributes to the song's instrumentation.

An accompanying music video for the song was released in 2000 and features side-by-side split screen graphics of Durand singing alongside Schlesinger, Chase, and other background dancers and singers.

[1] During this transition phase, the band's New York City-based The Place recording studio burned down and was replaced with a new one Stratosphere Sound, founded by members Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase.

Ivy recorded the song at Stratosphere Sound in New York City while mastering occurred at nearby Sony Music Studios and was handled by Vlado Meller.

[12][13] Tom Topkoff from Hybrid magazine noted the presence of horn instruments on the song, and compared it to the style of pop music in the 1960s.

[15] According to AllMusic's Heather Phares, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" adds a "sassy brass and lifting melody" to a trip hop and slick synth-pop backdrop.

[12] The Miami Herald called the song ultra mellow and compared Durand's vocal style to that of Debbie Harry, lead singer of the American band Blondie.

[17] Fellow Paco member Michael Hampton and American musician Jeremy Freeman are credited with providing additional loops and sounds to the song.

Online wrote that Long Distance was "armed" with "Lucy Doesn't Love You" and considered it a strong enough single to create a surge in Ivy's popularity.