The song was written by Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, James Phillips, Johntá Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis and Khia Chambers, with Herbie Hancock, Michael Beinhorn and Bill Laswell also receiving songwriting credits for sampling Hancock's 1983 song "Rockit".

"So Excited" is musically a hip hop and dance song which lyrically expresses submission from a woman to her lover.

"So Excited" performed poorly on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 90, but managed to become Jackson's 17th number-one dance hit in the country.

The music video for the song, directed by Joseph Kahn, depicts Jackson's clothes disappearing through a complex dance routine.

Jackson performed the song on Today, the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, and the 2008 Rock Witchu Tour.

Thomas Inskeep from Stylus Magazine criticized 20 Y.O., but enjoyed the track, calling it a "sticky ear-candy" song.

He further commented that the "sexed-up" number carries a "throwaway contribution from Khia to, if not ultimate satisfaction, [gives the listener] at least a half-decent orgasm".

[9] Miles Marshall Lewis from The Village Voice was also positive, saying that Dupri "girds 'So Excited' with 'Rockit' scratches, coaching guest-rapper Khia to sound like Da Brat on the naughty hook.

[10] Spence D. from IGN felt that "So Excited" was like a "glorious slice of radio ready '80s churban soul" wrapped up and delivered for a current audience.

[11] Glenn Gamboa, writer for Newsday, commented that "So Excited" was a "good indicator of what to expect from the current incarnation of Jackson.

[15] Similarly, Evan Serpick, writing for Rolling Stone, stated, "Almost all of the tunes here (particularly 'So Excited') try to replicate Jackson's early work, with diminishing returns".

[22] The accompanying music video for "So Excited" was directed by Joseph Kahn,[23] with choreography done by Gil Duldulao;[24] it premiered on September 13, 2006, on BET's Access Granted.

Also, occasional skeleton people appear in an X-ray effect, and on the 2 minute mark, Jackson is seen inside a yellow sports car eating a strawberry.

[27] On September 9, 2006, Jackson went to France to perform "So Excited" at NRJ's Back to School concert, along with past single "Nasty" (1986).

[29] On December 4, 2006, Jackson opened the 2006 Billboard Music Awards with a medley of past song "The Pleasure Principle" and "So Excited", with "Control" serving as an introduction to the number.