| "Work It Out" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byBeyoncé | ||||
| from the albumAustin Powers in Goldmember: Music from the Motion Picture | ||||
| Released | June 11, 2002 (2002-06-11) | |||
| Recorded | March 2002 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:06 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | The Neptunes | |||
| Beyoncé singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Work It Out" onYouTube | ||||
"Work It Out" is the debut solosingle by American singerBeyoncé. It was released on June 11, 2002, byColumbia Records as the lead single from thesoundtrack album to the filmAustin Powers in Goldmember, in which Beyoncé stars asFoxxy Cleopatra. It was later included on international editions of Beyoncé's debut studio album,Dangerously in Love (2003). Beyoncé co-wrote the song with its producers,Pharrell Williams andChad Hugo. "Work It Out" is anR&B song which incorporates elements of 1960s and 1970sfunk andpost-disco.
The song was generally well received by music critics, many of whom complimented itsretro style and various influences. It has been credited as the beginning of Beyoncé's career as a successful solo artist, after finding success as the lead singer ofDestiny's Child. "Work It Out" was nominated in the category of Best Original or Adapted Song at the2003 Black Reel Awards. Commercially, the song failed to make an impact on the USBillboard Hot 100 but managed to find success on a fewBillboard component charts, topping theBillboard'sHot Dance Club Play chart. "Work It Out" also reached the top ten in Norway and the UK.
The song's accompanyingmusic video was shot and directed byMatthew Rolston. The video features Beyoncé playing Foxxy Cleopatra, and draws inspiration from several 1960s and 1970s motifs. The video was nominated at theMTV Video Music Awards Japan in the category Best Video from a Film. "Work It Out" has been parodied and covered on several live television programs, includingAmerican Idol andAmerica's Best Dance Crew. Since its release, the song has been included on several of Beyoncé's tours and concerts.
In the 2002 filmAustin Powers in Goldmember, Beyoncé portraysFoxxy Cleopatra, the female protagonist alongside the film's lead character,Austin Powers, portrayed by Canadian film actor and comedianMike Myers. Cleopatra is aparody of the characters inblaxploitation films such asFoxy Brown andCleopatra Jones, both of which are used in her name.[2] Her clothing style is reminiscent of thedisco era and her hair is in theafro style of the time.[2] Taking inspiration from her portrayal, Beyoncé adopted in the song a persona similar to that of Cleopatra. Cleopatra and police officerGet Christie Love! use theslang term "sugar", which Beyoncéad-libs and incorporates into the song. Many similarities are seen as she performs under her Cleopatra persona in the music video of "Work It Out".[3] Due to the characters' sassy nature, Beyoncé performs the song very confidently and assertively.[3] Powers meets Cleopatra at the villain'sdiscothèque in 1975, which attributes to Cleopatra's disco-type fashion and the heavily inspired disco-era music video for "Work It Out".[3]
"Work It Out" was written by Beyoncé,Pharrell Williams, andChad Hugo, and produced by the latter two.[1] Critically, the song was credited with marking Beyoncé's transition into the music scene as a solo artist, after fulfilling a career as the lead female vocalist ofDestiny's Child.[4][5] Beyoncé premiered the song on May 23, 2002, viaAOL.[6] The song served as the first single from the soundtrack album,Austin Powers: Goldmember, withBritney Spears' "Boys" following as the soundtrack's second single.[6] Additionally, it serves as the album's opening track, and was released on June 11, 2002.[7] "Work It Out" was also intended to serve as the lead single from Beyoncé's debut album,Dangerously in Love. However, it was eventually replaced by "Crazy in Love", while it was used as a bonus song on the album's international versions.[6][8]
According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com byHal Leonard Corporation, "Work It Out" is a moderately pacedR&B,soul, andfunk song. Written in thekey ofG major, it has a moderately slowtempo of 84beats per minute and incorporates elements ofpost-disco.[4][9] The song has been viewed as reminiscent of 1960s and 1970s funk and soul music, with Craig Seymour ofEntertainment Weekly describing the tune as a "retro-thumper".[10] Rob Fitzpatrick ofNME commented that the song features "super-heavy funk", and is "an absolutely faultless attempt to re-create on classics byThe J.B.'s andLynn Anderson",[11] while Nick Duerden ofSpin magazine described the song as a "stunning '[19]60s soul vamp." Duerden and John Mulvey ofNew Musical Express recognized that The Neptunes paid tribute toJames Brown within the song.[12][13] While making a reference to the fact that the song contains various elements of 1960s and 1970s musical styles, Sal Cinquemani ofSlant Magazine stated that "Work It Out" positioned Beyoncé as "anMTV generationTina Turner".[4]Spin echoed Cinquemani's sentiments by describing Beyoncé as "gritty and sultry", referencing Tina Turner.[14] Beyoncé has additionally been described as "a 'Rock Steady'-eraAretha Franklin" because of the way she "ambitiously grunts, wails, and moans" on "Work It Out".[8][10]
"Work It Out" garnered generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom complemented the 1960s and 1970sfunk tone featured on the song. While reviewing theAustin Powers in Goldmember'ssoundtrack album,Josh Tyrangiel, writing forEntertainment Weekly, gave the song a negative review stating that it was "all shimmy and innuendo".[15] However, while reviewing the single, Craig Seymour of the same publication awarded the song a grade of an A−, calling the track a "funky debut solo tune" and further stating that the song also proves that Beyoncé, best known "for riding poppy staccato beats, can get deep into a groove".[10] Mark Anthony Neal ofPopMatters recognized the success ofDestiny's Child and credited it to Beyoncé, stating, "[Beyoncé], first stepped out on the solo trip in support of her role as Foxxy Cleopatra inAustin Powers: Gold Member." "Work It Out" indicated to Neal that Beyoncé was "ready to shed the 'but I'm still not yet a woman' vibe that's earned Destiny's Child multi-platinum status."[16]
The song was considered a "good moment" on the film's soundtrack album byAllMusic's writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine.[17] Erlewine called it "excellent" and favored it over the tracks ofSurvivor (2001), Destiny's Child's previous album.[17] Although considered a great transition for Beyoncé,Vibe disagreed, stating that the song debuted a tepid beginning for Beyoncé, who had high anticipations for a solo-career.[18]Contactmusic.com named the contributions by Beyoncé on the movie's soundtrack as a highlight of the album.[19] Rob Boss ofWalmart called Beyoncé "alluring" while reviewing her performance on the soundtrack and comparing it to her performance in the movie itself.[20] Dismissing Beyoncé's acting by stating "she should stick to singing and leave the acting to the actors," Boss called her performance on the song intense and stated that the opening track "Work It Out" was a reason enough to include Beyoncé in the film.[20] Rob Fitzpatrick ofNew Musical Express gave the song a mixed to positive review, writing that it sounds not only like a perfect imitation or replication of classic funk, but also like a derivation of various other sources and motifs.[11] John Mulvey, writing for the same magazine, considered "Work It Out" to be the best tune Beyoncé had recorded since "Say My Name" (2000), and he further commented, "it's Beyoncé yowling, testifying and wigging out in only slightly-studied retro fashion that's most striking."[13]
Spin magazine included the song on two separate lists of admiration. The first was a playlist of songs that "you need to know", and "Work It Out" was placed at number five for songs to download.[14] The other list included the song on a list of "must-have Beyoncé songs".[12] In addition to being included on lists,Vibe magazine included the song on a "Vibraters" list which named a number of songs that were onVibe-staff's current playlists and stated the song was "her true destiny".[21] Yancey Strickler ofFlak Magazine wrote that in "Work It Out", Beyoncé sounds likePam Grier "taking five from the revolution to let her afro down. Loose and funky (apologies for the overused terminology there, but 'Work It Out' practically defines it), the tune was Beyoncé declaring, 'I am woman, hear you drool.' Self-assured and immune to any of that tired old guff, she's out-of-Huey-Newton's-league untouchable."[22] Following the song's 2002 release, it was included during many post-2003 award ceremonies. During the2003 Black Reel Awards, the song was nominated in the category Best Original or Adapted Song.[23] However, the song lost toErykah Badu andCommon's "Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-Hop)" from the filmBrown Sugar.[23]
"Work It Out" failed to make the USBillboard Hot 100. Although it did not appear on the main USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it peaked at number four on the USBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[24] "Work It Out" peaked atop the USDance Club Songs,[25] and enjoyed moderate commercial success throughout Europe. It debuted and peaked at number seven on theUK Singles Chart on July 27, 2002, charting for a total of 11 weeks.[26] The song managed to peak within the top 20 of several European charts, peaking at number three in Norway, number 12 in Ireland and number 14 in Denmark.[27][28] In Oceania, the single peaked at number 36 in New Zealand on September 8, 2002,[29] while reaching number 23 for two consecutive weeks in late September 2002 in Australia.[28]
The accompanying music video for the song was directed byMatthew Rolston. Shot inNew York City in early June 2002,[6] behind-the-scenes footage of the shooting of the music video was released on June 7,[30] and the main video officially posted onMTV on June 17.[31] In the video, Jeremiah Alexis takes on the role of thebassist in the background and Beyoncé singing up-front,[30] with the overall feel inspired by 1970s glamor and the introduction of pop and funk.[30] On the concept of the video, Beyoncé said, "I wanted it to look different from what we've done. I wanted it to be raw. The look of it is like an old 1970's show."[30] Rolston stated that the video was inspired by shows likeSonny & Cher andThe Midnight Special with James Brown, which took place around the beginning of the disco era and the end of the hippy era.[30]
The video begins with Beyoncé (as Cleopatra) sitting with Powers in a movie theater, a credit to the ending ofAustin Powers in Goldmember.[32] As the "movie" starts, Beyoncé is seen on stage performing with a band playing instruments to the song. After performing a simple choreography, Beyoncé begins her verse by singing into a microphone that has her name written on it with sparkles, with the scenery of the shot being a stage with a colorful background, and scenes fromGoldmember pieced throughout the video. Beyoncé performs in a cube with disco-scenery shown on the walls, ceiling, and projected onto Beyoncé, who plays with hula hoops while wearing "Virgo" bedazzled jeans throughout the video. As the video ends, Beyoncé is seen back on the beginning stage performing a dance-routine with three backup dancers; the video ending with the movie theater cheering for the video, while Cleopatra and Powers smile at each other.
Cynthia Fuchs ofPopMatters reviewed the music video, stating: "The video offers up a standard-seeming series of body parts—eye, navel, huge hair—but at the same time emphasizes Beyoncé's frankly awesome power, recalling Aretha and especially Tina Turner as she snuggles up to the mic stand, her ferocious thighs revealed beneath a sequined miniskirt. In her first solo effort, Beyoncé declares herself a singular personality, a body, and a performer. Not to mention a sensation with a hula-hoop."[5] Fuchs added to her comment about Beyoncé's hoola-hooping skills, referring to them as "sensational" and stated that it gave the video "a giddy, gorgeous turn".[33] Tamar Anitai ofMTV News negatively reviewed Beyoncé's choice in hair-style as "two-tone, too-tight curls".[34] In 2003, the music video was nominated at theMTV Video Music Awards Japan in the category Best Video from a Film.[35] It eventually lost toEminem's "Lose Yourself" from the film8 Mile.[35]
Beyoncé performed the song on multiple occasions, including the song as part of her set list on theDangerously in Love Tour, where the performance of the song was recorded and distributed at theWembley Arena inLondon for herLive at Wembley live and video album.[36][37] The song was also performed live at the Wynn Theatre inLas Vegas on August 2, 2009, at theI Am... Yours concert,[38] the performance was later recorded as well as distributed in a DVD/CD package entitledI Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas on November 23, 2009.[39] During theI Am... World Tour, the song was performed in a medley with "Crazy in Love", "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)", "Let Me Clear My Throat", and "Pass the Peas".[40]
Beyoncé additionally performed the song on many televised appearances. The first televised performance of the song was onNew Year's Eve at Nikki Beach,St. Barth.[41] Other televised performances includedRove, 2003'sParty in the Park, andTop of the Pops.[42][43] Reviewing concert performances of the song, Mimi Valdés ofVibe called Beyoncé possessed, stating: "Tossing her head around, jerking her body, twirling the microphone stand, she's a new-millennium version of Tina Turner. As human and humble as she is off stage, watching her perform is a quick reminder of why she's a star. She's magnetic."[44]
The Los Angeles-based bandVitamin String Quartet, paid tribute to Beyoncé by doing their own version of "Work It Out" and adding it to their 2003 album,The String Quartet Tribute to Beyoncé. According to Tim Sendra ofAllMusic, their version has more than four instruments on it as do most of the tracks, making it "more of a symphonic tribute to Beyoncé".[45] The song has been performed by many reality television shows, which later led to the group or person winning that current challenge. On thefifth season ofAmerican Idol, contestantParis Ana'is Bennett performed the song on March 28, 2006, in which the theme was to perform songs from the past six years.[46] The song later allowed Bennett to pass through to the next round, with judgeRandy Jackson stating it was the best of the night,Paula Abdul calling the performance "awesome", andCowell naming the performance "overly precocious".[47]
During the second week of thefourth season ofAmerica's Best Dance Crew, theMassive Monkees were asked to perform the song with the challenge to "dance with hula hoops without accidentally dropping them".[48] The performance later allowed the group to move on to the next round, with judgesLil Mama stating that the group performed with a lot of "charisma"; however,JC Chasez negatively reviewed the performance as "elementary".[48][49] While searching for an all-female band to accompany her onThe Beyoncé Experience, Beyoncé had the candidates perform the single "Work It Out" as a test.[50] An author called Skyy additionally referenced the song in a book of collected short-stories titled "Choices".[51]
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Credits adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.[1]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[80] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[81] | Gold | 5,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 17, 2002 | Urban contemporary radio | Columbia | |
| June 18, 2002 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | |||
| June 25, 2002 | Contemporary hit radio | |||
| France | July 8, 2002 | Maxi CD | ||
| Japan | July 10, 2002 | CD | Sony Music Japan | |
| United Kingdom | July 15, 2002 |
| Columbia | |
| Denmark | July 22, 2002 | CD | Sony Music | |
| Australia | July 29, 2002 | Maxi CD | ||
| Germany | August 12, 2002 |
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