A second version of the single without Derulo, titled "Secret Love Song, Pt II", is included on the deluxe edition of Get Weird.

[1] In July 2015, Little Mix member Jesy Nelson stated that the group's third studio album, Get Weird, would have a song "that is possibly going to be a single that we've never done anything like before".

[2] Afterwards Perrie Edwards added: " And it may or may not have a feature...."[2] "Secret Love Song", was written by Jez along with Ashurst, Emma Rohan, and Tich and produced by Jayson DeZuzio.

[5] Group member Jade Thirlwall felt the song's slow tempo was "a nice change" for Derulo and "[showed] his voice off a lot".

[13] According to Derulo, his verse serves as a "twist" in the song, discussing his personal experience of having an affair: "I told a true story about this girl that I am really into but she has a boyfriend but we still do our thing.

"[4] Some commentators have interpreted the song as representing the struggles of LGBT couples who cannot display affection in public and has been referred to as an unintentional gay anthem by fans of the group.

This sentiment was shared by Jade Thirlwall who reacted positively to gay fans of the group interpreting that message in the song.

Popjustice wrote that the song would be better without Derulo, but called it "a big ballad" with an "amazing" chorus and gave it a rating of seven out of ten.

[21] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy said the group matured emotionally on the track and described it as a "sweeping slowie [...] that soars highest on the perfectly polished chorus".

[26] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times said: "Their manufactured origins surface on 'Secret Love Song', a by-the-numbers ballad watermarked with [Simon] Cowell's foreboding features.

"[27] Andy Gill of The Independent criticised Derulo's "ghastly, tremulous vibrato" on the track, calling it "by far, the worst [irritation]" on Get Weird.

[8] Matthew Horton of Virgin Media opined that "Secret Love Song" failed to help the album "catch fire", dismissing it as "syrupy" and "an unrequired duet".

[36] Thirlwall previously revealed on Twitter on 5 November 2015 that the group pictured the video to depict the struggles of an LGBT couple.

[37] Stomp Models required the couples to be relatable and emotional with "a cool or hip factor", and to act with a sense of longing and fulfilment.

[41] Little Mix and Derulo performed "Secret Love Song" for the first time live as part of their set-list at Capital's Jingle Bell Ball on 5 December 2015.