The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented its fun content and catchiness.

"[2] The two-year writing and recording sessions (started in 2010 and ended in 2012) led to over 60 ideas that longtime producer Matt Serletic helped the group chop down to the 12 songs that made North.

Speaking to Artist Direct, Matchbox Twenty drummer Paul Doucette commented, "This one came out of a simple chord progression.

"[3] Thomas says the song's about "the wrong kind of girls that we've probably all dated," though as a band of mostly married men for the last decade, they turned to other sources of inspiration.

[5] "She's So Mean" was written by Matchbox Twenty members, Rob Thomas, Kyle Cook and Paul Doucette, while production was handled by Matt Serletic.

[1] David Greenwald of Billboard Magazine commented that the song "recalls the band's late '90s early days," and that "With lyrics about a bad girl who "drinks Bacardi in the morning," it's ready to soundtrack a future 'Jersey Shore' episode, or at least a summer at the beach.

"[2] For Melinda Newman of HitFix opined, "The song is redolent of ‘70s power pop—that territory that Fountains of Wayne has mined so successfully — yet it never sounds overly retro.

Melinda Newman of HitFix was positive, calling it "an ear worm waiting to invade your brain and not let go for the rest of the year."

She also complimented the production, calling it "deceptively simple, but each drumbeat, every little yelp by Rob Thomas, only makes the song more seductive.

"[1] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday wrote that the song "works, picking up the pace, adding some snark and turning up the drums in the mix so they're almost dueling with Thomas' vocals.

"[8] While reviewing the album, Steve Lapore of PopMatters was mixed, writing that the song "sounds like Matchbox Twenty are trying to teach young whippersnappers like Adam Levine a thing or two about this hit-makin’ business.

It features the band singing while a beautiful woman (Danish model and actress Stephanie Corneliussen) walks in and causes mayhem.