 Mariel Concepcion of Billboard said that the song is " a clear indication that the R & B crooner is bringing sexy back , " " atop a silky piano pattern and hand claps . " She also said , " Plies makes a nice addition to the already <unk> track , as the self @-@ proclaimed goon drops a raunchy verse in his raspy Southern drawl . " The review went on to say , " ' Hey Daddy ' may not be a chart @-@ topper @-@ yet @-@ but it sure will make the naysayers pay attention again . " Mark Edward Nero of About.com said that the song was " is not only the album 's first official single , " but " also a declaration . " He goes on to say , " In the song , Usher 's basically sending a message to his female fans that the Usher they knew and loved is back in their lives and that they don 't need to stray any more : " You know your daddy 's home , and it 's time to play , so you ain 't got to give my lovin ' away . " Nero calls ' Hey Daddy ' " one of more than half a dozen sex songs on the album . " Sara D. Anderson of AOL Music said that the song has a " catchy R & B tune " and " the song showcases Usher 's role as the ladies ' man as he croons : " You know your daddy 's home ( daddy 's home ) / And it 's time to play ( so it 's time to play ) / So you ain 't got to give my loving away . " James Reed of The Boston Globe said that the track was one of the album 's songs to showcase " Usher 's signature <unk> moves " however called them " hollow as a chocolate Easter bunny " , as he pointed out the whole album had a lack of emotion Andrew Rennie of Now Magazine said that on the song and on " Lil Freak " that Usher shows " he ’ s unafraid to get lewd " . 
