 Connie Johnson from the Los Angeles Times described "Rock The boat" as being "sexily assertive" ; she also felt that this song along with "We need a resolution" were stand out songs compared to other artist material.Russell Baillie from The New Zealand Herald described the song as "boudoir-instructional" and he felt that "Aaliyah's voice weaves through the sparse but punchy arrangements with a mix of sultriness" on the song Brad Cawn from the Chicago Tribune felt that Aaliyah had matured and that she was "Growing into seductive escapades" on "Rock the Boat".Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine compared the song to the work of Janet Jackson and Marvin Gaye ; he ultimately[felt that Aaliyah does "80's retro" songs better than other artists.