Paul Sexton of Record Mirror felt that "the sound's just that bit too fierce, too hi-tech almost, for her to shine", and that overall, "for the singles, excellent; for some of the rest, Jaki can and will do miles better"
Upon its release, "What the Hell" received positive reviews from music critics with many complimenting its catchiness and comparing it to her 2007 single "Girlfriend". The song was successful, reaching number one in Japan, the top five in Asia, the top ten in Europe, Australia, South America, Mexico, Canada, and the top 20 in the US and the UK.
An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Marcus Raboy and premiered on 23 January. "What the Hell" was performed by Lavigne on several television programs such as Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, Daybreak, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and on the Much Music Video Awards, America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent. Additionally, she added the song to the setlist of the Black Star Tour (2011).
Donovan - Epistle to Dippy
— John Peel's Playing Now (@dave_sticko) May 29, 2024
Played On Show 12/07/1967https://t.co/mgilP0QC5L pic.twitter.com/b01NFds4cN
Avril Lavigne - Anything but Ordinary
Avril Lavigne - Everything Back but You
Avril Lavigne - Hello Heartache
Avril Lavigne - I Can Do Better
Avril Lavigne - I Don't Have to Try
Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On
Avril Lavigne - My Happy Ending
Avril Lavigne - One of Those Girls
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing
Avril Lavigne - Things I'll Never Say
Avril Lavigne - Too Much to Ask
Avril Lavigne - When You're Gone
Katy Perry - By the Grace of God
Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm
Katy Perry - Choose Your Battles
Katy Perry - Every Day Is a Holiday
Katy Perry - Hummingbird Heartbeat
Katy Perry - If You Can Afford Me
Katy Perry - I'm Still Breathing
Katy Perry - International Smile
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry - Not Like the Movies
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Katy Perry - Waking Up in Vegas
Katy Perry - When There's Nothing Left
Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For?
Madonna - Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Madonna - Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'
Madonna - Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Madonna - Me Against the Music
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters
Madonna - The Power of Good-Bye
Madonna - This Used To Be My Playground
Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl
Avril Lavigne - Anything but Ordinary
Avril Lavigne - Everything Back but You
Avril Lavigne - Hello Heartache
Avril Lavigne - I Can Do Better
Avril Lavigne - I Don't Have to Try
Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On
Avril Lavigne - My Happy Ending
Avril Lavigne - One of Those Girls
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing
Avril Lavigne - Things I'll Never Say
Avril Lavigne - Too Much to Ask
Avril Lavigne - When You're Gone
John Mayer - Who You Love (featuring Katy Perry
Katy Perry - By the Grace of God
Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm
Katy Perry - Choose Your Battles
Katy Perry - Every Day Is a Holiday
Katy Perry - Hummingbird Heartbeat
Katy Perry - If You Can Afford Me
Katy Perry - I'm Still Breathing
Katy Perry - International Smile
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry - Not Like the Movies
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Katy Perry - Waking Up in Vegas
Katy Perry - When There's Nothing Left
Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For?
Madonna - Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Madonna - Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'
Madonna - Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Madonna - Me Against the Music
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters
Madonna - The Power of Good-Bye
Madonna - This Used To Be My Playground
Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl
Motorhead - (Don't Let 'em) Grind Ya Down
Motorhead - (Don't Need) Religion
Motorhead - (We Are) The Road Crew
Motorhead - Another Perfect Day
Motorhead - Back at the Funny Farm
Motorhead - Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Motorhead - Dancing on Your Grave
Motorhead - Dead Men Tell No Tales
Motorhead - I'll Be Your Sister
Motorhead - I'm Your Witchdoctor
Motorhead - Instro (Instrumental)
Motorhead - Iron Horse / Born to Lose
Motorhead - Keep Us on the Road
Motorhead - Love Me Like a Reptile
Motorhead - Marching Off to War
Motorhead - Nothing Up My Sleeve
Motorhead - Ridin' with the Driver
Motorhead - Shoot You in the Back
Motorhead - Stone Dead Forever
Motorhead - Stone Deaf in the U.S.A
Motorhead - The Chase Is Better Than the Catch