Many reviewers highlighted Cabello's ability to transition from a soft, breathy falsetto in the verses to a booming, belt-heavy chorus. Rolling Stone even ranked it as the 4th best song of 2018, calling it a "gigantic electro ballad" that proved she could handle any genre.
The lyrics describe a "pain-is-pleasure" addiction to love, famously comparing a partner to nicotine, heroin, and morphine. While many fans found this "sultry" and "addictive," some critics, like those at USA Today, felt the lyrics were "frequently indecipherable" or "overproduced". Community Perspectives Camila Cabello - Never Be the Same
“Am I the only one who can NOT stand that screechy, high-pitched, auto tune vocal thing? NicoTINE, HeroIN, morphINE! Blegh.” Reddit · r/popheads · 8 years ago Key Achievements While many fans found this "sultry" and "addictive,"
Reviewers and fans often debate the song's "experimental" nature compared to the global smash "Havana." " some critics
The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on both the Pop Songs and Adult Pop Songs charts.
A duet version featuring country singer Kane Brown was released in late April 2018, adding a new "layer of intrigue" to the track.
“It’s a bit on the experimental side, so it shows that Camila has the potential to create songs that aren’t generic or fit a regular pop mold.” Album of the Year