The song was first released to iTunes on March 29, 2011, the same day that its accompanying lyric video premiered on Teen Vogue.

Most of them positively reviewed the song's chilling tone and powerful lyrics, but many noted that "The Lonely" didn't compare to Perri's lead single, "Jar of Hearts".

[7] Perri wrote "The Lonely" in August 2010 in her driveway at two o'clock in the morning after coming back from a dinner event.

While revealing the track to Teen Vogue, Perri gave more insight into the song's message, saying "It's lonely personified.

[12] While reviewing the album, Tom Lanham of The San Francisco Examiner described the song as a "gorgeous anthem".

[14] To promote the song, Christina Perri released a lyric video, directed by Elliott Sellers.

[2] The video debuted on Teen Vogue's website on March 29, 2011, the day of the song's iTunes release.

[3] Perri performed the song on her joint tour with James Blunt in Boston, MA at "The House of Blues".