 Beyoncé's version of "Resentment" received positive reviews from critics, most of whom noted the soulful vocal stylings used in the song. Bill Lamb of About.com complimented the song as one of the album highlights and described it as "gospel-influenced" and "emotion filled" song. A writer of Billboard magazine stated that Beyoncé "shifts into emotive mode" on this song from "rockier, edgier" sound of album and noted that the track "calls to mind the subtle fervor and passion of the best girl groups of the' 60s and '70s". Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone marked the track as "one of the most arresting moments" on the album and described it as an "anguished, sixties-tinged ballad". Spence Abbott of IGN also noted track as a stand out alongside "Irreplaceable" and observed that "[the] track goes straight for Aretha Franklin-inspired territory, with Beyoncé actually getting gritty and dropping her high octave range down a few pegs to get guttural and downright Old School soulful". Jon Pareles of The New York Times stated that the "agitated goodbye" builds a different kind of overwrought drama. Steve Jones of USA Today the song showcases Beyoncé's "maturing vocal chops," describing the song as spare and gritty. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine noted that the song would have been better if performed by a trio of "talented" vocalists, such as Destiny's Child, rather than Beyoncé by herself. Houston Chronicle's Joey Guerra felt that "Doubters of Beyoncé's immense talent need only give one listen to this track [' Resentment '] from 2006's B 'Day. It's a stunner — a visceral, emotional showcase that casts Beyoncé as a scorned, sorrowful woman. You can almost feel the pain in her delivery." According to a writer of Irish Independent, the song gives a more soulful feel to B 'Day. Jim Farber of Daily News called "Resentment" an "old-school soul shouter". Sasha Frere-Jones of The New Yorker described the song as a "fierce ballad". "Resentment" peaked at number 11 on the US Bubbling Under R & B / Hip-Hop Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot R & B / Hip-Hop Songs.
