If You Had My Love - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

A writer from NME noted that Lopez "really comes into her own" on the "street-smart swingbeat winner" song. Aaron Beierle of DVD Talk praised the track as catchy, writing that it "showcases the singer's style well." Beth Johnson of Entertainment Weekly reviewed the song, and pointed out "Considering the dustbins filled with movie stars' vanity discs, why expect this actress' recording debut to be hit-bound? Well, surprise, suprise." Of the song, Johnson wrote "Lopez lays down a silky groove, and the law on this Rodney Jerkins-masterminded, salsa-laced hip-hop. It hardly seems fair that she gets to sizzle on screen and on this slow-funk track." A writer of the Los Angeles Times wasn't as receptive of the song, "non- singer Jennifer Lopez's "If You Had My Love," which sounds like a Brandy Norwood or Monica reject." In 2011, Jocelyn Vena of MTV News noted that the song was the beginning of her singing about love, "Lopez has explored the topic of love since the start of her career, beginning with her first single, "If You Had My Love," a tune that questions the nature of her beau's affections."