Lyrically, the song is a dialogue in between and male and female, that discuss sexual themes and acts of which they plan to engage in a restroom.

"Say Somethin'" was accompanied by a high profile and budget music video, filmed by Paul Hunter in Paris, France, and featuring appearances by Carey, Williams, Dogg and fashion designer and Vogue editor, André Leon Talley.

The video features Carey and Williams as love interests being chased by several paparazzi vehicles down a populated Paris road.

Other scenes feature Carey trying on several outfits in Louis Vuitton's flagship store on Champs-Élysées, as well as close-up shots of Snoop Dogg.

The video concluded with the duo walking together down the Le Pont de Paris bridge, overlooking the Seine river.

[1] Prior to its release on September 11, 2001, Carey suffered an "emotional and physical breakdown", and was subsequently hospitalized over a period of several weeks.

[3] The soundtrack, while faring slightly better, failed to reach the critical or commercial heights of Carey's previous releases, and eventually lead to the annulment of her record contract with Virgin.

[6] Following a brief meeting with the pair, Carey showed them the yet unfinished version of "Say Somethin'", and had Dogg complete a rap verse for the song.

[7] Following the song's completion in November 2004, Snoop Dogg made several comments regarding his work with Carey in an interview with MTV News, even re-calling past sentiments towards her many years prior: She's so soft.

However, after releasing the album's title, The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), "Say Somethin'" leaked, and was to be promoted as the project's lead single.

[8] In an interview with MTV, Carey recalled the decision with Reid: "L.A. was like, 'You and Jermaine Dupri make magic together, why aren't you in the studio with him?

During her trip to Atlanta, Carey began second guessing the album's direction, and described her feelings regarding the decision in an interview with MTV News: I really started second-guessing myself.

[8] On her second stay in Dupri's hometown, the duo completed "We Belong Together" and "It's Like That", with the latter of the two replacing "Say Somethin'" as the albums's lead single.

[13] According to Ferguson, while the latter had radio appeal, its "scantily produced drum'n'bass" only distracted, concluding "'Fly Like A Bird' is a classic: why muddy the water with this release.

[18] "Say Somethin'" is a mid-tempo song lasting three minutes and forty-four seconds,[13] while drawing influence from R&B and hip-hop music genres.

[13][19] It incorporates its beat from several musical instruments, including the organ, bass drum and several electronic and computerized sound effects.

[20] Dimitri Ehrlich from Vibe called the song "a musical oddity" and described its production as "strange instrumentation, weird melodic shifts, and hectic drum patters".

[21] In his review for The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), Jozen Cummings from PopMatters described the song's production and instrumentation: "The track is vintage Neptunes with big drums and intergalactic sound effects, and Carey adds to the breezy, easygoing feel of the song with a voice that is sexy, but subtle, like a shy woman who doesn’t need to say anything at all to get a man’s attention.

Michael Paoletta from Billboard described the song's production as a "series of gimmicks", and felt it was reminiscent of melodies used to boost the careers of "lesser artists".

"[13] USA Today critic Elysa Gardner called the song "breezy and playful", while Jim Abbott from the Orlando Sentinel classified it as a "high point" on The Emancipation of Mimi (2005).

[28] Internationally, "Say Somethin'" debuted at its peak position of number twenty-six on the Australian Singles Chart during the week dated July 23, 2006.

[35] Additionally, a cameo appearance is made by André Leon Talley (1948–2022), a close friend and stylist of Carey's, whom retired from his career as a fashion designer and the first black Vogue editor.

[35] In an interview with MTV News, Carey described the trip to France, as well as the video's behind-the-scenes moments: You know what was so great about being in Paris?

As they fade, a silver Maserati is shown driving down a populated Paris road, with several black Mercedes-Benz sedans following in close proximity.

As the video returns to the main scene, Carey is shown inside her car with Pharrell Williams, where he begins caressing her legs and touching her sensually.

The video resumes with Carey dressed in a long trench-coat, strutting inside Louis Vuitton's flagship store on Champs-Élysées.

Scenes of Carey trying on several outfits and stilettos are shown, as Vogue's André Leon Talley makes a cameo appearance as an employee.

After leaving the boutique, Carey and Williams are shown walking down the Le Pont de Paris bridge, overlooking the Seine river.