"Work Bitch" (edited for radio as "Work Work") is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her eighth studio album Britney Jean (2013). It was written by Spears, will.i.am, Otto Knows, Sebastian Ingrosso, Anthony Preston and Ruth-Anne Cunningham. The song's production was handled by Ingrosso, Jettman and Adams, while vocal production was done by Adams and Preston. "Work Bitch" made its premiere on September 15, 2013, on iHeartRadio and select Clear Channel radio stations and was released as the lead single from Britney Jean the following day, by RCA Records.
"Work Bitch" is an EDM song containing mostly spoken lyrics, where Spears repeatedly exhorts "bitches" to "get to work". "Work Bitch" garnered critical acclaim, with praise drawn towards its production and female empowerment lyrics. It received several certifications from multiple countries. "Work Bitch" debuted and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Work Bitch" peaked within the top ten of the charts in 14 countries, including Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom.
An accompanying music video for "Work Bitch" was directed by Ben Mor and filmed in Malibu, California and released in October 2013. It is one of the most expensive music videos of all time and has generated acclaim from critics, who praised Spears' dancing and the visual cinematography.
Background and release Previously, in 2012, Spears and will.i.am collaborated on the song "Scream & Shout"; will.i.am was later announced in March 2013 as the executive producer for Spears' eighth studio album. In preparation for the single and album, Spears began working with a vocal coach and choreographer collaboratively. "Work Bitch" was confirmed by Spears on September 7, 2013, during the video's filming. On August 20, 2013, Spears' official website launched a countdown titled "All Eyes on Me" counting down to September 17, 2013, which lead fans to speculate that this was, in fact, the single title. In response, Spears told fans that new music was coming "much sooner than you think".
On September 10, 2013; Spears confirmed "Work Bitch"s worldwide radio premiere for September 16, 2013, at 6p.m. ET on her official Twitter account, following up with a second tweet, "Work Bitch will be available on @iTunesMusic that night at 12:01am ET, Sept 17th... are u ready?! #YouBettaWorkB #1Week". On September 11, Spears revealed the writers of the song. The next day, Spears revealed the official single cover. The artwork features her posing in front of a vanity mirror, wearing a bedazzled leotard complete with feathered shoulders. A small sign can be seen behind her reading "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas", referencing her Las Vegas residency. The song leaked in full on September 15, 2013, one day before it was due for release on iHeartRadio and was therefore premiered a day earlier than scheduled. A clean version of the song, titled "Work Work" has also been released. A CD single of the song was released in Germany on October 18, 2013.
Composition
"Work Bitch" was written by Spears with will.i.am and Anthony Preston, and features a beat from DJ Otto Knows. Knows is managed by Swedish House Mafia member Sebastian Ingrosso, who also received a songwriting credit; however, Ingrosso revealed he did not write the lyrics. "Work Bitch" is an EDM song written in common time in the key of E minor, at a tempo of 128 beats per minute, wherein Spears, repeatedly exhorts "bitches" to "get to work". It starts with a basic club beat, with a monotone taunting chorus: "You want a hot body? / You want a Bugatti? / You want a Maserati? / You better work bitch!" Spears alludes to the luxuries she has attained due to her strong work ethic: "You want a Lamborghini? / Sip martinis? / Look hot in a bikini? / You better work bitch!" and "You wanna live fancy? / Live in a big mansion? / Party in France?"
According to Miriam Coleman of Rolling Stone, it "features mostly spoken lyrics, [and] serves as a testament to the fine things a strong work ethic can bring about". Idolator contributor Christina Lee thought that the song "sounds like the lights-out after-party" to RuPaul's 1993 debut single "Supermodel (You Better Work)". will.i.am commented that the song "is a reflection of Britney moreso than [Britney Jean]. The album is what the album is, but we felt that song needed to come out to keep the foundation on what Britney represents. But it shouldn't reflect the album—an album is a body of work as a collective. If we had to pick a song like, 'Oh, what song fits every color of the record,' you shouldn't do that… We felt that song represents 'Piece of Me', that Britney oomph." Some critics noted Spears's apparent British accent in her performance, with Billboard writing: "Britney utilizes a British accent on “Work Bitch.” This is an okay thing!"
Critical response A writer for Billboard described the track as a "full-on club banger with Spears giving fans the secret to her success". Writing for MuuMuse, Bradley Stern complimented the song as a "thrilling, thunderously bold slice of forward-thinking dance-pop". A reviewer for Popjustice called the track "amazing", and suggested that the lyrical content "has the right attitude for a Blackout 2.0 sort of album". Michael Cragg from The Guardian felt that "Work Bitch" is a "pretty relentless onslaught that reflects pop's current love for chucking in everything up to and including the kitchen sink", but felt that Spears' personality "[made] sure she hasn't been fully obliterated by will.i.am's production sledgehammer". Chris Eggertsen from HitFix called that it was a "perfect club track", but questioned how it would perform on mainstream radio. However, Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine gave a negative review for the song, opining that it "follows the current EDM model of painfully aggressive, treble-heavy beats, harsh synths, and tuneless hooks, but makes even 'Scream & Shout' sound like a melodic feast". Caryb Ganz of Rolling Stone noted that "will.i.am draws up the perfect nü-Britney blueprint: a squelchy thumper that's light on singing and heavy on hilarious directives barked in an English accent... Blasts of clubby synths do most of the work, while Britney winks at the world". About.com writer Bill Lamb called the single forward thinking and gave the single praise, stating, "This is a single that is pushing boundaries and will likely feel more exhilarating each time you listen".
Commercial performance The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 12, marking Spears' 31st song on the chart and the fifth highest debut of her career on the chart, and her seventh in the top 20. It also marked Spears' 19th top 20 single and overall her 23rd top 40 single. It also entered the top 10 on the Hot Digital Songs chart at number six. "Work Bitch" sold 174,000 copies in its first week, marking Spears' highest first-week sales since her 2011 number-one single "Hold It Against Me". With its debut on the Mainstream Top 40 at number 25, the song marks Spears' 31st chart entry, pushing her past Mariah Carey (30) for the second-most entries to the chart's October 3, 1992, launch. In its second week, the song fell to number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The following week, it climbed back to number 13 after the release of the accompanying music video. As of July 2016, "Work Bitch" has sold 967,000 copies in the United States.
In the United Kingdom, "Work Bitch" debuted and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart on November 10, 2013 – for the week ending date November 16, 2013 – falling 30 places to number 37 the following week. The song also peaked at number two on the UK Dance Chart.
Accolades + ListiclesYearAward CategoryResult2014PopCrush Fan Choice AwardSong of the Year Video of the Year World Music AwardsWorld’s Best Song World’s Best Video + Listicles Publication Accolade RankDigitalDreamDoor100 Greatest Songs From 2013 Rolling Stone100 Best Songs Of 2013
Music video Development
The music video for "Work Bitch" was shot by Ben Mor, who had previously worked on the video for Spears and will.i.am's 2012 single, "Scream & Shout". The visual effects for the music video were provided by HOAX Films, who completed sky replacements shots, set extensions and cleanup. It is produced for Black Dog Films/Little Minx, executive producer Coleen Haynes and producer Tony McGarry. Spears revealed she was rehearsing for something "top secret next week", on August 29. Filming took place in Malibu, California and at around Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon in Arizona/Utah, on September 7, 8, 9 and 10. On the first day, Spears tweeted, "Hot day on set... ;) A little dirty, little flirty, danced my ASS off. Stoked for tomorrow!" following the tweet up with a still of herself in a yellow and black bra with long, black gloves. Spears released a sneak peek of the video on September 26, 2013, through her Instagram account. The full version of the music video premiered on October 1 on The CW Television Network, during the second day broadcast of the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Spears revealed that the video was supposed to have more sexual scenes; however, she edited many scenes out "because I am a mother and because, you know, I have children, and it's just hard to play sexy mom while you're being a pop star as well. I just have to be true to myself and you know, feel it out when I do stuff." Mor replied to the singer's comment, saying he never forced or made her do anything she didn't want to during the shoot, and continued, "she's in complete control the whole time. It was easy to make a racier cut only because of the extras and the cutaways, and that's it". Spears manager Larry Rudolph and father Jamie Spears also released a statement, revealing that "Britney is never pressured into anything. She reviews all creative and for her 'Work Bitch' video she discussed toning down some parts in finding a balance of sexy and being a mom." The original airing of the premiere in the United States was viewed by 1.09 million viewers and received a Nielsen rating of 0.4/1 in the key adults 18–49 demographic, up 33 percent from the previous night.
Production costs Planet Hollywood reported that the music video's total production and editing costs amounted to $6.5 million, as stipulated by the contract Spears signed in her residency requirements, which may have made it the second-most-expensive music video of all time. Upon the reporting, director Ben Mor refuted all claims on the production costs.
Synopsis
Mor said the video is not story-based as Spears' previous videos, but it has "more of a theme ... rather than a narrative. This one is basically [saying] 'The queen is back and she's about to show all these bitches how it's done.' It's her being really fierce and taking back her throne in a way." The video opens with several intercalated shots of the singer, who portrays a dominatrix, and her dancers in front of a pool, a car, and in the middle of the desert. Spears is seen at the top of Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino dancing. Bruna Nessif of E! Online compared the video to the erotic romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey, mentioning the singer "whipping some woman ... and using a riding crop". Product placement for Spears' fragrance Fantasy and Beats Pill wireless speakers (being used as a bit gag) can also be seen.
Reception