Marking a departure from the soul sound of her debut album, Rockferry (2008), the song received mixed reviews from critics; being both praised and criticised for Duffy's vocal style.

Commercially, it is her worst performing single to date, although it proved to be a moderate success in mainland Europe, reaching the top twenty in Finland, Belgium and Switzerland.

The song's accompanying music video portrayed Duffy backed with male dancers in several scenes around the city of Oxford, England.

The single was promoted extensively as part of a campaign of "major TV moments", taking in the UK, the United States as well as seven countries around Europe in 2010 and 2011.

However, recruiting The Roots to work with her on Endlessly proved difficult, and she was only able to secure their part in the song and others on the album through telephoning the president of Island Def Jam Records, LA Reid.

In doing so, Duffy was said by John Bush of AllMusic to have created a composition featuring a "clubby production and up-front beat,"[5] one that reflects the emergence of a "sassier, brassier" singer.

"[2] The song's release was announced on 16 September 2010 for 21 November 2010 in the United Kingdom (UK),[7] on CD single and digital download formats.

[13] The cover image for "Well, Well, Well" was shot by photographer Lachlan Bailey,[14] as part of the promotional shoot for Endlessly which featured Duffy in ambient street scenes with vibrant colouring.

[22] It was her first to include herself dancing, which was choreographed by Frank Gatson Jr.,[22] famous for his work for American singer Beyoncé Knowles' video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008).

"[24] According to Promo News, the video's synopsis consists of "her [Duffy] dallying with handsome strangers and causing a bit of a stir in the local pub.

"The video starts with Duffy, wearing a black trench coat,[26] walking towards a group of men leaning against a Citroën DS, Guilherme Logullo plays her love interest throughout the narrative.

The next portion, described as "like a Parisian musical from the 60s",[26] shows Duffy entering a bar, in which its customers look up as she throws her coat to the ground to reveal her Brigitte Bardot-inspired black cut dress worn throughout her Endlessly promotional tour.

Other appearances on British television included a performance of "Well, Well, Well" on Strictly Come Dancing on 21 November 2010 with backing dancers and "DUFFY" background specially assembled for the broadcast.

[2][30] Duffy returned to the UK in December to perform at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball, where she sang three songs, including "Well, Well, Well" and a cover of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

[31] In the United States, the song was performed in a similar manner on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (4 November 2010)[33] and The Ellen DeGeneres Show (7 December 2010).

[34] Duffy was backed by a complete brass section,[35] with Idolator stating that "we never really tire of watching the blonde Grammy winner belt out this tale of suspicious love".

[35] Duffy also played an "intimate acoustic set" at the offices of Rolling Stone in America, performing the song and album track "Don't Forsake Me".

[2] The song was also performed as part of two live concert "album showcase" shows, including one at the Café de Paris in London.