In July 2000, Lawson came up with an idea for a song he thought would be ideal for Lopez. the Hits, which was released on July 24, 2012. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" was included on Lopez's greatest hits album, Dance Again. The single began impacting US radio from mid-December. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" was globally premiered on November 16, 2000. Hence, she instead released an album entitled J.Lo, which she credits as being more "personal" and "romantic" than On the 6. During this period, Lopez began to transition into a sex symbol and was nicknamed J.Lo by the public, which is known as a nickname and "public persona". Initially, the album was to be called A Passionate Journey. This led her to begin recording new material for her second album in April 2000. Her debut album entitled On the 6 (1999) became an instant commercial success, and spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number one song " If You Had My Love".
The music video for "Love Don't Cost a Thing" directed by Paul Hunter and choreographed by Darrin Dewitt Henson was met with acclaim, garnering MTV Video Music Award and ALMA Award nominations.
"Love Don't Cost a Thing" was also a radio hit, becoming her first single to top the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. It peaked within the top ten in the United States and foreign markets including Australia, France, Germany and Ireland, as well as peaking at number one in Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, among other countries. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" was met with worldwide commercial success and is considered "classic Lopez". Described as "frothy" and "catchy" by critics, it was noted for its message about love and commercial appeal to women. Ultimately, the pair's courtship ended shortly after its release. Lyrically, "Love Don't Cost a Thing" is described as an "exploration of love" in which Lopez is unhappy about her materialistic lover provoking much media analysis as to whether or not it was an innuendo towards Combs.
At the time of the song's release, Lopez was transitioning into a sex symbol and in a relationship with American rapper Sean Combs. Harris, and produced by Ric Wake, Richie Jones and Cory Rooney. The song was written by Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Georgette Franklin, Jeremy Monroe and Amille D. It was released on November 20, 2000, by Epic Records as the lead single from the album. " Love Don't Cost a Thing" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her second studio album J.Lo (2001).