"Big Girls Don't Cry" deviates from the hip hop and urban music of Fergie's previous singles and opts for a more simplistic pop ballad sound that incorporates acoustic elements. It features credits from about thirty instrumentalists, many of which play the violins, violas and celli on the track.
In contrast to her previous hip-hop and urban releases, "Big Girls Don't Cry" showcases Fergie's transition towards a more straightforward pop ballad style, incorporating acoustic elements. The song features around thirty instrumentalists, many of whom play violins, violas, and cellos.