'Impossible' equalled its US success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK R&B Chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. On 27 August 2010, 'Impossible' was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling one million copies.

Consequently, it is Shontelle's most successful single in the United States. It continued to rise up both charts, before eventually peaking at number nine on the US Pop Songs chart, number eleven on the Hot Digital Songs chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The following week it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 88. 'Impossible' made its US Mainstream Top 40 chart debut at number 40 on, two months after the song was first released. This smooth soul sound provides a valuable counterpart to the dominant uptempo dance music on current pop radio.' Chart performance 'Impossible' is the strongest release we've had from the young singer yet and it's a sign of bigger things to come.' Meanwhile Bill Lamb of said 'Shontelle delivers a strong, emotional R&B ballad. Things are about to turn around for Shontelle.

It's easily a contender for breakup song of 2010 and Shontelle sings with such passion that you can't help but hold back the tears. Д¬armen Castro of The Canadian Press said 'Shontelle hits the right notes on 'Impossible', the album's only standout track.' A reviewer from Entertainment Focus said ''Impossible' showcases undeniably strong vocals from the 24-year-old. The result? A treat for everyone except the people at Greenpeace, who might not approve of a song that requires at least two Kleenex mansize every time you play it.' Financial website MarketWatch branded the song a 'passionate ballad' and Shontelle's vocals 'soulful'. Nothing is impossible when a vocal sounds as effortless and anthemic as this.' Ryan Love of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, writing: ' Arnthor Birgisson's StarGate-style production is appealingly restrained, Ina Wroldsen's lyrics are blunt and utterly relatable, and Shontelle gives her strongest vocal performance yet without ever overdoing it. The 24-year-old's vulnerable delivery demands attention. He said 'Shontelle shines on 'Impossible', giving one of the year's standout female vocal performances and recalling the poignancy and technical precision of BeyoncГ©'s ' Irreplaceable'. Michael Menachem of Billboard loved the song. Meanwhile, the production, helmed by Birgisson, was compared to Norwegian production team, StarGate who are, coincidentally, the team responsible for producing 'Irreplaceable'. Billboard 's Michael Menachem described her vocal precision as similar to that of BeyoncГ©'s in ' Irreplaceable'. draw the strength to carry on past a break up where you're the one in the embarrassing position.' Shontelle uses a vocal range from E в™ 3 to D в™ 5 in the song. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope вЂ“ things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay. In an interview with J-14 magazine she said 'I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. It was conceived after Shontelle stated that she felt that radio was currently missing a 'heartbreak ballad'.

The song's backing track consists of a simple chord progression of Fm 7- A в™- E в™- D в™. The melody is to be played in a moderate tone and tempo. 'Impossible' is a midtempo R&B ballad written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, in the musical key of A в™ major with a time signature in common time and a tempo of 92 beats per minute.

James arthur impossible shontelle