The track is defined by its pulsing, "Keystone" house-influenced beat produced by The Stereotypes.
“Unlike his merely irritating "Baby", this has a decent pop hook... "Somebody to Love" sounds to me better than most pop songs I've heard in recent years.” Rate Your Music Usher Justin Bieber Somebody To Love
Reviewers often highlight how the song bridges the gap between teen pop and credible R&B. The track is defined by its pulsing, "Keystone"
“Usher having a verse on it adds a slick touch to the song... It’s a shame Usher didn’t keep the song for himself as it was originally intended for him.” Random J Pop · 15 years ago “Usher having a verse on it adds a slick touch to the song
: The lyrics utilize classic pop tropes—writing symphonies, running a thousand miles, and sweeping away clouds—to illustrate a total devotion that turns the "notorious player" Usher into a surprisingly "good guy" on the track. Community Perspectives
At its core, the song is a "straightforward plea for a soul mate".