Work It by Missy Elliott Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Empowerment Anthem
Lyrics
I’m on the request line
This is a Missy Elliott one-time exclusive (Come on)
Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
If you got a big, let me search it
And find out how hard I gotta work ya
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
I’d like to get to know ya so I could show ya
Put the pussy on ya like I told ya
Gimme all your numbers so I could phone ya
Your girl actin’ stank then call me over
Not on the bed, lay me on your sofa
Phone before you come, I need to shave my chocha
You do or you don’t or you will or won’t ya
Go downtown and eat it like a vulture
See my hips and my tips, don’t ya
See my ass and my lips, don’t ya
Lost a few pounds and my whips for ya
This the kinda beat that go ra-ta-ta
Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta
Sex me so good I say blah-blah-blah
Work it, I need a glass of water
Boy, oh, boy, it’s good to know ya
Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
If you got a big, let me search it
And find out how hard I gotta work ya
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
(Come on)
If you a fly gal get your nails done
Get a pedicure, get your hair did
Boy, lift it up, let’s make a toast-a
Let’s get drunk, that’s gon’ bring us closer
Don’t I look like a Halle Berry poster
See the Belvedere playin’ tricks on ya
Girlfriend want to be like me, never
You won’t find a bitch that’s even better
I make you hot as Las Vegas weather
Listen up close while I take it backwards
I’m not a prostitute, but I could give you what you want
I love your braids and your mouth full of floss
Love the way my ass go bum-bum-bum-bum
Keep your eyes on my bum-bum-bum-bum-bum
And think you can handle this gadong-a-dong-dong
Take my thong off and my ass go vroom
Cut the lights off so you see what I could do
Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
If you got a big, let me search it
And find out how hard I gotta work ya
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
(Come on)
Boys, boys, all type of boys
Black, white, Puerto Rican, Chinese boys
Why-thai,-thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai
Rock-thai,-thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai
Girls, girls, get that cash
If it’s 9 to 5 or shakin’ your ass
Ain’t no shame, ladies do your thang
Just make sure you ahead of the game
Just ’cause I got a lot of fame supa
Prince couldn’t get me change my name papa
Kunta Kinte a slave again, no sir
Picture black sayin’, “Oh, yes a master”
Picture Lil’ Kim dating a pastor
Minnie Me and Big Ren can out last ya
Who is the best, I don’t have to ask ya
When I come out you won’t even matter
Why you act dumb like “Uh, duh”
So you act dumb like “Uh, duh”
As the drummer boy go ba-rom-pop-pom-pom
Give you some-some-some of this Cinnabun
Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
If you got a big, let me search it
And find out how hard I gotta work ya
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I
(Come on)
To my fellas
I like the way you work that
To my ladies
You sure know how to work that
When Missy Elliott dropped ‘Work It’ in 2002, she didn’t just release a song; she unleashed a cultural phenomenon that reverberated through the hip-hop world and beyond. The track not only showcased her unique style and innovative production skills but also delivered a powerful message wrapped in a bold, catchy beat.
Parsing through the lyrics of ‘Work It’ is an exercise in decoding complex layers of meaning. Elliott’s anthemic rhymes speak to empowerment, sexuality, and pride in identity, compelling listeners to both dance and reflect. What follows is not just a lyrical breakdown but an exploration of a song that became a manifesto for a generation.
Flipping the Script: A Lexicon Inverted
One of the most iconic aspects of ‘Work It’ is its hook, ‘I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it,’ which Elliott literally reverses in the subsequent line, a masterstroke of audible wordplay. This clever twist is emblematic of the song’s central theme: the power of taking control. By inverting language, Missy Elliott defies conventional grammar and expectations, just as she advocates for women’s empowerment and self-agency in the industry and life.
The reversed lyrics aren’t just a gimmick. They symbolize the reversing of societal norms and stereotypes, particularly about women in hip-hop. Missy inverts what’s expected of her, and in doing so, challenges listeners to see things from a fresh perspective.
Navigating Sexual Autonomy In the Limelight
In ‘Work It,’ Elliott unabashedly takes ownership of her sexuality, a bold move in an industry that has historically objectified women. Lines like ‘If you got a big [elephant noise], let me search it’ portray a woman who’s in control of her sexual and romantic desires, reversing the typical male-dominated discourse in hip-hop.
The song represents sexual liberation, but also an assertion of equality in pleasure and choosing one’s sexual partners. By vocalizing her desires, Missy Elliott legitimizes female sexuality – she breaks it down, flips it, and reversely asserts her space in a genre often rife with misogyny.
A Drumline to Female Prosperity
‘Girls, girls, get that cash / If it’s 9 to 5 or shakin’ your ass / Ain’t no shame, ladies do your thang.’ With these words, Elliott dismantles the stigma around different forms of women’s work. This line directly addresses economic empowerment and the agency of women to use their talents – be it in a traditional job or in the entertainment industry.
By championing both the 9 to 5 and the dance floor, Elliott encourages female listeners to take pride in their hustle, regardless of the form it takes. The message is clear: success is not just a man’s game, and women should ‘make sure you ahead of the game.’
Cultural References That Shaped a Generation
Missy doesn’t shy away from salient cultural references that add depth to ‘Work It.’ From calling out ‘Don’t I look like a Halle Berry poster’ to the comparison of life-changing relationships à la ‘Picture Lil’ Kim dating a pastor,’ Elliott navigates pop culture with wit and reference. This not only roots the song in time and place but also shows her prowess in making music that’s both relevant and resonant.
The track becomes a yearbook of sorts, capturing the moment’s zeitgeist with lyrical snapshots that celebrate black culture, challenge societal norms, and poke fun at the absurdity of fame. ‘Kunta Kinte a slave again, no sir’ asserts a rejection of regression and a celebration of heritage and resilience.
The Interlude That Speaks Volumes
It’s not just the song’s lyrics that speak volumes, but also its musical interludes. The rhythm changes, the sound effects, and Missy’s non-verbal exclamations all contribute to a larger, often unspoken narrative about identity and expression. They act as a call to the dance floor, sure, but they also signify the joys of living freely and boldly.
In these moments, ‘Work It’ transcends language, becoming something felt rather than just heard. They convey the confidence and excitement of embracing who you are and owning it. After all, as Missy knows all too well, sometimes you ‘don’t have to say a thing to say it all.’
