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Work It Out (Beyonc song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Work It Out

| cover = Beyonce - Work It Out.png

| alt = Photograph of a man and a woman. He wears a lilac dress with vertical blue stripes and glasses, while she wears a coral leather jacket and pants. She rests on the shoulder of the man. Behind them, a colorful background compound of vertical lines appears. Above them, the words "Beyonc" and "Work It Out", and in front of them "Austin Powers in Goldmember".

| type = single

| artist = Beyonc

| album = Austin Powers in Goldmember: Music from the Motion Picture

| released =

| recorded = March 2002

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

| label = Columbia

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = I Got That

| prev_year = 2000

| next_title = '03 Bonnie & Clyde

| next_year = 2002

| misc =

}}

"'Work It Out'" is the debut single by American singer Beyonc. It was released on June 11, 2002, by Columbia Records as the lead single from the soundtrack album to the film 'Austin Powers in Goldmember', in which Beyonc stars as Foxxy Cleopatra. It was later included on international editions of Beyonc's debut studio album, 'Dangerously in Love' (2003). Beyonc co-wrote the song with its producers, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. "Work It Out" is an R&B song which incorporates elements of 1960s and 1970s funk and post-disco.

The song was generally well received by music critics, many of whom complimented its retro style and various influences. It has been credited as the beginning of Beyonc's career as a successful solo artist, after finding success as the lead singer of Destiny's Child. "Work It Out" was nominated in the category of Best Original or Adapted Song at the 2003 Black Reel Awards. Commercially, the song failed to make an impact on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 but managed to find success on a few 'Billboard' component charts, topping the 'Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart. "Work It Out" also reached the top ten in Norway and the UK.

The song's accompanying music video was shot and directed by Matthew Rolston. The video features Beyonc playing Foxxy Cleopatra, and draws inspiration from several 1960s and 1970s motifs. The video was nominated at the MTV 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, including 'American Idol' and 'America's Best Dance Crew'. Since its release, the song has been regularly included on several of Beyonc's tours and concerts.

Background and release



In the 2002 film 'Austin Powers in Goldmember', Beyonc portrays Foxxy Cleopatra, the female protagonist alongside the film's lead character, Austin Powers, portrayed by Canadian film actor and comedian Mike Myers. Cleopatra is a parody of the characters in blaxploitation films such as 'Foxy Brown' and 'Cleopatra Jones', both of which are used in her name. Her clothing style is reminiscent of the disco era and her hair is in the afro style of the time. Taking inspiration from her portrayal, Beyonc adopted in the song a persona similar to that of Cleopatra. Cleopatra and police officer Get Christie Love! use the slang term "sugar", which Beyonc ad-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". Due to the characters' sassy nature, Beyonc performs the song very confidently and assertively. Powers meets Cleopatra at the villain's discothque in 1975, which attributes to Cleopatra's disco-type fashion and the heavily inspired disco-era music video for "Work It Out".

"Work It Out" was written by Beyonc, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo, and produced by the latter two. Critically, the song was credited with marking Beyonc's transition into the music scene as a solo artist, after fulfilling a career as the lead female vocalist of Destiny's Child. Beyonc premiered the song on May 23, 2002, via AOL. The song served as the first single from the soundtrack album, 'Austin Powers: Goldmember', with Britney Spears' "Boys" following as the soundtrack's second single. Additionally, it serves as the album's opening track, and was released on June 11, 2002. "Work It Out" was also intended to serve as the lead single from Beyonc'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.

Composition



According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Corporation, "Work It Out" is a moderately paced R&B, soul, and funk song. Written in the key of G major, it has a moderately slow tempo of 84 beats per minute and incorporates elements of post-disco. The song has been viewed as reminiscent of 1960s and 1970s funk and soul music, with Craig Seymour of 'Entertainment Weekly' describing the tune as a "retro-thumper". Rob Fitzpatrick of 'NME' commented that the song features "super-heavy funk", and is "an absolutely faultless attempt to re-create on classics by The J.B.'s and Lynn Anderson",Fitzpatrick, Rob. (July 2, 2003) [http://www.nme.com/reviews/beyonce/7130 Review: 'Dangerously in Love']. 'NME'. Retrieved on February 20, 2011. while Nick Duerden of 'Spin' magazine described the song as a "stunning '[19]60s soul vamp." Duerden and John Mulvey of 'New Musical Express' recognized that The Neptunes paid tribute to James Brown within the song. While making a reference to the fact that the song contains various elements of 1960s and 1970s musical styles, Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine stated that "Work It Out" positioned Beyonc as "an MTV generation Tina Turner". 'Spin' echoed Cinquemani's sentiments by describing Beyonc as "gritty and sultry", referencing Tina Turner. Beyonc has additionally been described as "a 'Rock Steady'-era Aretha Franklin" because of the way she "ambitiously grunts, wails, and moans" on "Work It Out".

Critical reception



"Work It Out" garnered generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom complemented the 1960s and 1970s funk tone featured on the song. While reviewing the 'Austin Powers in Goldmember's soundtrack album, Josh Tyrangiel, writing for 'Entertainment Weekly', gave the song a negative review stating that it was "all shimmy and innuendo". 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 Beyonc, best known "for riding poppy staccato beats, can get deep into a groove". Mark Anthony Neal of 'PopMatters' recognized the success of Destiny's Child and credited it to Beyonc, stating, "[Beyonc], first stepped out on the solo trip in support of her role as Foxxy Cleopatra in 'Austin Powers: Gold Member.'" "Work It Out" indicated to Neal that Beyonc was "ready to shed the 'but I'm still not yet a woman' vibe that's earned Destiny's Child multi-platinum status."

The song was considered a "good moment" on the film's soundtrack album by AllMusics writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Erlewine called it "excellent" and favored it over the tracks of 'Survivor' (2001), Destiny's Child's previous album. Although considered a great transition for Beyonc, 'Vibe' disagreed, stating that the song debuted a tepid beginning for Beyonc, who had high anticipations for a solo-career. Contactmusic.com named the contributions by Beyonc on the movie's soundtrack as a highlight of the album. Rob Boss of Walmart called Beyonc "alluring" while reviewing her performance on the soundtrack and comparing it to her performance in the movie itself. Dismissing Beyonc'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 Beyonc in the film. Rob Fitzpatrick of 'New 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. John Mulvey, writing for the same magazine, considered "Work It Out" to be the best tune Beyonc had recorded since "Say My Name" (2000), and he further commented, "it's Beyonc yowling, testifying and wigging out in only slightly-studied retro fashion that's most striking."John Mulvey. (July 12, 2002) [http://www.nme.com/reviews/destinys-child/6550 Beyonc : Work It Out]. 'NME' Retrieved on February 20, 2011.

'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. The other list included the song on a list of "must-have Beyonc songs". In addition to being included on lists, 'Vibe' magazine included the song on a "Vibraters" list which named a number of songs that were on 'Vibe'-staff's current playlists and stated the song was "her true destiny". Yancey Strickler of 'Flak Magazine' wrote that in "Work It Out", Beyonc sounds like Pam 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 Beyonc 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." Following the song's 2002 release, it was included during many post-2003 award ceremonies. During the 2003 Black Reel Awards, the song was nominated in the category Best Original or Adapted Song. However, the song lost to Erykah Badu and Common's "Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-Hop)" from the film 'Brown Sugar'.

Commercial performance



"Work It Out" failed to make the US 'Billboard' Hot 100. Although it did not appear on the main US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it peaked at number four on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. "Work It Out" peaked atop the US Dance Club Songs, and enjoyed moderate commercial success throughout Europe. It debuted and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart on July 27, 2002, charting for a total of 11 weeks. 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. In Oceania, the single peaked at number 36 in New Zealand on September 8, 2002, while reaching number 23 for two consecutive weeks in late September 2002 in Australia.

Music video



The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Matthew Rolston. Shot in New York City in early June 2002, behind-the-scenes footage of the shooting of the music video was released on June 7, and the main video officially posted on MTV on June 17. In the video, Jeremiah Alexis takes on the role of the bassist in the background and Beyonc singing up-front, with the overall feel inspired by 1970s glamor and the introduction of pop and funk. On the concept of the video, Beyonc 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." Rolston stated that the video was inspired by shows like 'Sonny & Cher' and 'The Midnight Special with James Brown', which took place around the beginning of the disco era and the end of the hippy era.



The video begins with Beyonc (as Cleopatra) sitting with Powers in a movie theater, a credit to the ending of 'Austin Powers in Goldmember'. As the "movie" starts, Beyonc is seen on stage performing with a band playing instruments to the song. After performing a simple choreography, Beyonc 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 from 'Goldmember' pieced throughout the video. Beyonc performs in a cube with disco-scenery shown on the walls, ceiling, and projected onto Beyonc, who plays with hula hoops while wearing "Virgo" bedazzled jeans throughout the video. As the video ends, Beyonc 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 of 'PopMatters' reviewed the music video, stating: "The video offers up a standard-seeming series of body partseye, navel, huge hairbut at the same time emphasizes Beyonc'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, Beyonc declares herself a singular personality, a body, and a performer. Not to mention a sensation with a hula-hoop." Fuchs added to her comment about Beyonc's hoola-hooping skills, referring to them as "sensational" and stated that it gave the video "a giddy, gorgeous turn". Tamar Anitai of MTV News negatively reviewed Beyonc's choice in hair-style as "two-tone, too-tight curls". In 2003, the music video was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan in the category Best Video from a Film. It eventually lost to Eminem's "Lose Yourself" from the film '8 Mile'.

Live performances



" with her husband Jay-Z during the I Am... Tour, as a part of a medley with "Work It Out".|alt=Two people are performing on stage. The woman at left wears a pink short dress, transparent stockings, and she holds a microphone with her right hand. She is looking something at her right while she holds her left on her hip. The man at right is talking through a microphone. He wears a jacket, a shirt and pants, all of them dark.

Beyonc performed the song on multiple occasions, including the song as part of her set list on the Dangerously in Love Tour, where the performance of the song was recorded and distributed at the Wembley Arena in London for her 'Live at Wembley' live and video album. The song was also performed live at the Wynn Theatre in Las Vegas on August 2, 2009, at the I Am... Yours concert, the performance was later recorded as well as distributed in a DVD/CD package entitled 'I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas' on November 23, 2009. During the I Am... 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".

Beyonc additionally performed the song on many televised appearances. The first televised performance of the song was on New Year's Eve at Nikki Beach, St. Barth. Other televised performances included 'Rove', 2003's Party in the Park, and 'Top of the Pops'. Reviewing concert performances of the song, Mimi Valds of 'Vibe' called Beyonc 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."

Cover versions



The Los Angeles-based band Vitamin String Quartet, paid tribute to Beyonc by doing their own version of "Work It Out" and adding it to their 2003 album, 'The String Quartet Tribute to Beyonc'. According to Tim Sendra of AllMusic, their version has more than four instruments on it as do most of the tracks, making it "more of a symphonic tribute to Beyonc". The song has been performed by many reality television shows, which later led to the group or person winning that current challenge. On the fifth season of 'American Idol', contestant Paris Ana'is Bennett performed the song on March 28, 2006, in which the theme was to perform songs from the past six years. The song later allowed Bennett to pass through to the next round, with judge Randy Jackson stating it was the best of the night, Paula Abdul calling the performance "awesome", and Cowell naming the performance "overly precocious".

During the second week of the fourth season of 'America's Best Dance Crew', the Massive Monkees were asked to perform the song with the challenge to "dance with hula hoops without accidentally dropping them". The performance later allowed the group to move on to the next round, with judges Lil Mama stating that the group performed with a lot of "charisma"; however, JC Chasez negatively reviewed the performance as "elementary". While searching for an all-female band to accompany her on 'The Beyonc Experience', Beyonc had the candidates perform the single "Work It Out" as a test. An author called Skyy additionally referenced the song in a book of collected short-stories titled "'Choices'".

Track listings



*'Japanese CD single'

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) 4:07

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

*'UK CD single'

#"Work It Out" (Radio Edit) 3:43

#"Work It Out" (Victor Calderone's Blow Your Horn Dub) 9:57

#"Work It Out" (Azza's Nu Soul Mix)

*'US CD single EP'

#"Work It Out" (Call Out Hook)

#"Work It Out" (Radio Edit) 3:22

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) 4:07

#"Work It Out" (Instrumental)

#"Work It Out" (A Capella)

*'UK 12" maxi single'

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) 4:07

#"Work It Out" (Radio Edit) 3:22

#"Work It Out" (Instrumental) 4:07

*'UK 12" single'

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

#"Work It Out" (RC Groove Nu Electric Mix) 5;23

#"Work It Out" (Azza's Nu Soul Mix) 4:50

*'US 12" single'

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

#"Work It Out" (Charlie's Nu NRG Mix) 7:43

#"Work It Out" (Victor Calderone's Blow Your Horn Dub) 9:57

#"Work It Out" (Bonus Beats) 6:06

*'Australia and New Zealand CD single'

#"Work It Out" (Radio Edit) 3:22

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

#"Work It Out" (Charlie's Nu NRG Mix) 7:43

#"Work It Out" (H&D Nu Rock Mix)

*'UK 12" maxi single'

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) 4:07

#"Work It Out" (Azza's Nu Soul Mix) 4:50

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

*'US 12" single EP'

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) 4:07

#"Work It Out" (Rockwilder Remix) 4:39

#"Work It Out" (Rockwilder Remix Instrumental) 4:00

#"Work It Out" (The D. Elliot Remix)

#"Work It Out" (The D. Elliot Remix Instrumental)

#"Work It Out" (T. Gray Remix)

*'Europe and German CD single'

#"Work It Out" (New Radio Edit) 3:43

#"Work It Out" (Blow Your Horn Dub) 9:57

#"Work It Out" (Azza's Nu Soul Mix) 4:50

#"Work It Out" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) 7:11

*'UK cassette single'

#"Work It Out" (Album Version) - 4:07

#"Work It Out" (RC Groove Nu Electric Mix) - 5:23

Credits and personnel



Credits adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.

* Beyonc Knowles additional vocal production, songwriting, vocals

* Cdric Courtois engineering

* Brian Garten engineering

* Serban Ghenea mixing

* Chad Hugo production

* Ramon Morales engineering

* Pat Viala mixing

* Pharrell Williams production, songwriting

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Certifications



Release history



References




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