The song received positive reviews, with critics complimenting the track's dance feel, and the lyrical content.

The accompanying music video for the official remix, directed by Dave Meyers, was intended to rely solely on choreography, and integrate different styles of dance.

Bieber performed the song at a number of venues, including the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and on the seventh series of The X Factor in the United Kingdom.

In a Q&A with Rap-Up, Jonathan Yip of The Stereotypes confirmed that record was originally made for Usher, but things did not go through right with label management of his.

[7] The song has been described by Jocelyn Vena of MTV News as a "dance track in which he professes his love for a girl and tells her he'd do anything for her" and a "club-friendly pop tune.

"[9] Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music wrote that "Somebody to Love is a straightforward plea for a soul mate; it says something we’ve all felt.

"[10] Monica Herrera of Billboard commented, "Somebody to Love" offers the clearest evidence yet that he's more than capable of clearing the hurdle from teen to adult stardom.

[13] The song received digital sales after the release of My World 2.0, propelling it to debut at ninety-four on the Canadian Hot 100.

After re-entering and steadily ascending the charts, the single reached a new peak of ten on the week issued July 3, 2010.

The music video for the official remix version featuring Usher was filmed during the week of May 9, 2010, directed by Dave Meyers.

[20] It made its premiere during the June 17, 2010 results show of the seventh season of So You Think You Can Dance, and was introduced by Usher after his performance of "OMG".

Usher sings his verse along with The Syrenz as dancers in a room with metal chandeliers before uniting with Bieber dancing in the scene aided by Poreotics.

Monica Herrera of Billboard said Usher's "star power is clearly rubbing off on the 16-year-old", commenting that Bieber "shows off his smoothest moves yet " and "tackles his toughest choreography.

"[25] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News commented, "While Bieber had previously teased his dancing skills in the "Baby" video, he really channeled Usher's smooth moves in this newest clip.

[24] Antai also commented on the appeal of the video, commending Meyers, "who put that classic early '00s-style big-money polish on the piece – for employing fire, shirtless dudes, white ninjas..."[24] Bieber performed "Somebody to Love" on multiple occasions, including as a part of his set list on the My World Tour.

[29] "Somebody to Love" was also performed with "U Smile" and "Baby" at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010, accompanied by a full dance team and band.

"[31] He then proceeded to perform "U Smile" as an introduction, followed by "Baby" and "Somebody to Love", which had dance parts in which his background dancers wore the same attire as him.

It was performed by the characters Sam, Artie, Puck, and Mike, in their attempts to emulate Bieber's mannerisms to reignite their girlfriends' interest in them.