"What I Cannot Change" is a ballad, revealing examination of love relationships and choosing acceptance instead of conflict.

I will learn to let go what I cannot change

I will learn to forgive what I cannot change

I will learn to love what I cannot change

But I will change, I will change

Whatever I, whenever I can

Critical reception

Billboard.com reviewed the song following its release. The song's reviewer, Deborah Evans Price called the song, "a gorgeous ballad washes over the soul with a wisdom and truth that is powerful and potentially life-changing."
Country Universe.net also praised "What I Cannot Change," calling the ballad, "the finest single of LeAnn Rimes’ career."
The 9513 also reviewed the single and praised Rimes's vocal performance, calling her vocals, "a tremendously sensitive vocal performance that is easily one of the most nuanced of Rimes’ career."

Track listings

US [Radio Mixes EP] November 18, 2008

• 1 What I Cannot Change [Kaskade Radio Mix] 3:41
• 2 What I Cannot Change [Jody Den Broeder Radio Mix] 4:43
• 3 What I Cannot Change [Scotty K Radio Mix] 4:19
• 4 What I Cannot Change [Bronleewe & Bose Radio Mix] 4:01
• 5 Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine [Wideboys Electro Radio Mix] 3:33
• 6 Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine [Soul Seekerz Radio Mix] 3:32
• 7 Headphones [Almighty Radio Mix] 3:37

US [Extended Mixes EP] November 18, 2008

• 1 What I Cannot Change [Kaskade Extended Mix] 5:08
• 2 What I Cannot Change [Jody den Broeder Extended Mix] 8:03
• 3 What I Cannot Change [Scotty K Klub Mix] 8:12
• 4 What I Cannot Change [Bronleewe & Bose Extended Mix] 6:25
• 5 Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine [Wideboys Electro Mix] 5:49
• 6 Good Friend And A Glass Of Wine [Soul Seekerz Extended Mix] 8:54
• 7 Headphones [Almighty Extended Mix] 8:01

What I Cannot Change Exclusive CD Released with the book of the same name by LeAnn Rimes and Darrell Brown

• 1. What I Cannot Change (Live)
• 2. Spoken Words

Chart performance

"What I Cannot Change" failed to chart the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...

 chart after being released to radio in August 2008. A few months later however, the song was given several electronic dance music

Electronic dance music

Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...

 remix

Remix

A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....

es and debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play

Hot Dance Club Play

The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...

chart in late 2008. On the week of February 28, 2009, "What I Can't Change" reached number one on that chart. With the song, Rimes became the first country music artist to have topped both the Billboard country chart and the Billboard dance chart.
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Chart (2009)	Peak position