

The BBC observed that the song was similar to "Hollywood" from the 1977 Rufus album Ask Rufus, writing "the lift is discreet and in the best taste.As one of the most promising neo-soul artists yet to emerge in the past few years, India.Arie casts her lot with the best artists of her label's storied history, playing deeply introspective songs laced with glistening acoustic guitar, churchy organ, and smooth, supple beats. The New York Times noticed that "Little Things" and "Slow Down" were the two "songs of self-encouragement" on Voyage to India.

The Washington Post praised the song as a "lilting paean to. Īrie said that the song was "about the lessons learned last year" when she experienced difficulty balancing her career fame with her personal life. At the end of 2002, Billboard listed the "Little Things" as the 41st most-played song on "Adult R&B" radio stations in the US during 2002. It peaked in November at number 89 on the Hot 100 chart. The single entered the Billboard charts in mid-September 2002, and in October it peaked at number 33 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 33 weeks. Arie began performing the song in her concerts starting in August 2002, before the single was released on September 10, preceding the album release by two weeks.
