13 Incredibly Hard-Working Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Megan Thee Stallion, “Work That”

💿 Good News • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 📅 2020

🎛 Juicy J and 🎛 Z3N work the boards on 🎵 “Work That”, our hard-working opener from  🎧 13 Incredibly Hard-Working Songs.  Of course, this joint from 🏆 Grammy winning rapper 🎙 Megan Thee Stallion actually appears as the 10^th track on her 2020 debut album, Good News. Give Juicy J and Z3N credit for the backdrop, but also, we must acknowledge the prominent Juvenile sample (🎵 “Rodeo”) that fuels the fire, making the heat continue contextually on Good News.

There’s nothing game changing about “Work That”, but it definitely checks off the boxes for Megan Thee Stallion. The chorus is naughty yet utterly infectious, and the rhymes are totally unapologetic and agile. “Hold that stick like I’m a symphony,” she spits on the second verse, continuing, “For these simps, I have no sympathy.” That’s a total 🎤💧 (mic drop) right there!

2. Rihanna, “Work”

Ft. Drake

💿 Anti • 🏷 Westbury Road Entertainment / Roc Nation • 📅 2016

Perhaps 🎵 “Work” isn’t 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Rihanna’s go-to ‘unapologetic’ song, but it’s definitely “not that innocent.” First, it is worth praising SOME of the lyrics – “Work” has elements of a relationship transcendent of the physical components.  But “Work” would be boring if an emotional connection were solely the M.O., right? Damn right!

Lyrically, deciphering much of “Work” is difficult, considering that Rihanna sings in a tropical dialect (her words purposely slurred as well).  Regardless, it doesn’t matter – it’s clear that the “work” is sexual.  Furthermore, she kicks it up a notch. The chorus alone establishes that point, while the accompanying video with 🎙 Drake confirms it.  This is a song where the sound itself amplifies its steamy, unapologetic nature.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 10 Songs That Require Work to Be Put In

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It Gets Steamy II

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

3. MAX, “Working for the Weekend [Party Pupils Remix]”

Ft. eaJ

💿 Colour Vision (Deluxe) • 🏷 Colour Vision / Sony • 📅 2021

According to 🎙 MAX: “I’ve been workin’ for the weekend / But the weekend never came / Will you pat my back tomorrow / If I break my back today.” Well, it’s a bummer the weekend didn’t come but hey, 🎵 “Working for the Weekend”, from his 2020 album 💿 Colour Vision, definitely sounds carefree and symbolic of the weekend.  It’s even more relaxing on 💿 Colour Vision (Deluxe), released in 2021, with the 🎛 Party Pupils produced remix.

The songwriting is very simple – no poetic tour de force here.  That said, it doesn’t need to be a poetic tour de force as the lyrics are incredibly fun, lighthearted, and tongue-all-the-way-in-cheek.  MAX, as always, sounds like a boss, and gets a lift from featured guest 🎙 eaj on the second verse.  Of course, the centerpiece is the hard-working chorus where MAX goes on to assert:

“I’ve been goin’ off the deep end
But my sanity’s at stake
Will you pat my back tomorrow
If I break my back today?”

Throw in the lit production by Party Pupils and “Working for the Weekend [Party Pupils Remix]” is a whole B-O-P!

4. Kane Brown, “Work”

💿 Experiment • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2018

“Can’t always be there for ya / Can’t always be by your side / But I promise that I’m gon’ love ya / ‘Til the day I die.” Country music is still a genre that is dominated by white musicians – that’s no secret.  Nonetheless, 🎙 Kane Brown, who is biracial, has managed to carve out success which is awesome.  Of course, it’s not Brown’s race that has earned him that success; it’s his talent, period.  Brown has a nice instrument to work with that’s quite appealing to the ears.  His sophomore album, 💿 Experiment, definitely served as a breakthrough moment, with a number of great songs.  Interestingly, 🎵 “Work,” which fits this list for obvious reasons, isn’t even top tier on Experiment.

Contextually, “Work” follows two of Experiment’s better songs: 🎵 “Homesick” and 🎵 “Weekend”.  Therefore, this hard-working joint doesn’t exactly have it easy. Expectedly, it doesn’t quite reach the same level, but definitely ends up being above average, easily.  The same positive attributes – those pros – that have worked for Brown throughout Experiment continue.  Those, of course are his sweet baritone, and the chorus – relationship-driven in his particular case:

“Gotta make it work, I’m not sayin’ it’s easy
Sometimes we get hurt, I promise I ain’t leavin’, yeah
There’s gonna be a couple fights
Just to see who's wrong or right
If it’s love, we both know what it’s gonna take
Work
Yeah, we can make it work.”

5. Britney Spears, “Work Bitch”

💿 Britney Jean • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2013

🏆 Grammy-winning pop superstar 🎙 Britney Spears informed the world in 2013, “you better work… BITCH!”  Honestly, 🎵 “Work Bitch” was the best thing that went down on her 2013 album, 💿 Britney Jean. No, Britney Jean didn’t slay like the preceding album, 💿 Femme Fatale, or the follow-up, 💿 Glory, but “Work Bitch” was more than enough to atone – at least in my eyes.

Honestly, even if you don’t approve of her use of the word ‘bitch’ for emphasis, Britney definitely had a legit point with this song.  Exhibit A:

“You want a hot body?
You want a Bugatti?
You want a Maserati?
You better work bitch.”

Facts, facts, facts! If I don’t work out and eat healthy (ugh), I can’t have that hot body, dammit! If I don’t somehow find a job that pays mad bread, well, there’ll be no Bugatti or Maserati for me!  I mean, Britney Spears gives us a life lesson here! She’s oh so wise on “Work Bitch.”

6. MGMT, “She Works Out Too Much”

💿 Little Dark Age • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2018

Trippy alternative collective 🎙 MGMT returned in 2018 after nearly a five-year hiatus.  That’s right, 🎙 Andrew Vanwyngarden and 🎙 Ben Goldwasser dropped their fourth studio album, 💿 Little Dark Age.  From the start, it’s clear Little Dark Age contrasts their 2013 self-titled effort, which didn’t receive the same buzz as the band’s debut, Oracular Spectacular (2007), or sophomore LP, Congratulations (2010).  My question is, why didn’t Little Dark Age receive a Grammy nomination – it was among the best alternative music projects of 2018.  No need to “cry over spilled milk,” let’s focus on the song at hand, 🎵 “She Works Out Too Much.” Is the ever such a thing?

“Don’t take it the wrong way
I can never keep up
Sick of liking your selfies
Should’ve gone with my gut.”

Little Dark Age commences with a bang on “She Works Out Too Much.” MGMT seems to speak on the fakeness, shallowness, and superficiality of some modern relationships.  Musically, this record sounds like a mix of 80s exercise music, psychedelia, and synth-pop.  “(He’s trying) / (She works out too much) / The only reason we never worked out was / He didn’t work out.” ‘Works for me!

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

7. Maxwell, “This Woman’s Work”

💿 Now • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2001

“I should be crying but I just can’t let it show / I should be hoping but I can’t stop thinking / All the things we should’ve said that I never said…”I’m biased, but 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Maxwell is one of the best R&B artists in the game.  His voice – that pure falsetto – just does something to you when you listen.  Even though he rarely releases new music, the Haitian-Puerto Rican American singer has solidified his legacy with his brilliant work in the past.  Specifically, his third studio album 💿 Now, released at the height of the neo-soul era in 2001, features the crème de la crème of his career.  That, my friends, includes 🎵 “This Woman’s Work.”  

Just in case you weren’t aware, “This Woman’s Work” is actually a cover – insert totally shook, *shocked gasps* here.  That’s he covers the gorgeous 🎙 🎼✍ Kate Bush gem from her 1989 album, 💿 The Sensual World. As is the mark of a truly gifted musician, he makes this cover sound as if the song were his own original.  I have no doubt Bush co-signs his magnificent R&B take, which provides her even greater accolades as a singer/songwriter.

“Give me these moments
Give them back to me
Give me that little kiss
Give me your talking hands.”

8. Fifth Harmony, “Work from Home”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

💿 7/27 • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2016

“You don’t gotta go to work, work, work, work…let my body do the work, work, work, work…” Cutting straight to the chase, 🎵 “Work from Home” (💿 7/27) a big-time hit by 🎙 Fifth Harmony is drenched in innuendo from start to finish.  Liken “Work from Home” to mashed potatoes smothered in brown gravy, or your gravy of preference. How absurd is this irresistible pop hit? Let’s put it this way, the girls, assisted by 🎙 Ty Dolla $ign are definitely encouraging a different line of ‘work’ – not a ‘9 to 5.’ These girls tell their boyfriends they “don’t gotta go to work” – a source of bread mind you – because they can “work from home.” Honestly, how can the dude make any $$$ if he “don’t gotta go to work?”

Sure, with remote work increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are jobs where employees have the privilege of being able to “work from Home.” That said, in this case, it’s all about providing pleasure.  “Let my body do the work, work, work, work…” Sure, what guy wouldn’t want to oblige Fifth Harmony’s suggestiveness in an ideal, utopian world? Still, no matter how much “work” Fifth Harmony are willing to do with their bodies, is it realistically going to pay the rent, the car payment, the electric bill?  Lacking in substance or authentic emotion, “Work from Home” is the exemplification of sex on the track, built upon slang and swagger, and ultimately constructed tastefully if ridiculously and unrealistically.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 10 Songs That Require Work to Be Put In

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where the Innuendo is Out of Control

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

9. Quavo, “Workin Me”

💿 QUAVO HUNCHO • 🏷 Quality Control Music / Motown / Capitol • 📅 2018

🎙 QUAVO of 🎙 Migos fame, keeps things brief on, 🎵 “Workin Me”, an advance single from his debut solo album, 💿 QUAVO HUNCHO. “Workin Me” clocks in under three minutes.  It’s a sufficient amount – no shade.  The rapper continues to be true to self – confident, with a compelling flow.

Does Quavo have much to say on “Workin Me”? NO, but the vibe is on-point.  Furthermore, the production (🎛 Murda Beatz and 🎛 Sool Got Hits) is slick – a hard, syncopated beat, and light, colorful synths go a long way. Beyond the backdrop, another selling point for Quavo is the chorus, which is catchy, easily getting stuck in your head.

“Workin’ me, she workin’ me
Urgin’ me, it be urgin’ me
Just let up the top and close the curtain, please
I decided to go up like Major League
She just popped the Perky just like pork and beans
She just popped the Perky, say I hurt her knees
She hurtin’ me, wrist strong, Hercules.”

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

10. Meghan Trainor, “Workin’ on It”

Ft. Lennon Stella & Sasha Sloah

💿 Treat Myself • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2020

There’s ‘girl power’ on 🎵 “Workin’ on It,” where 🏆 Grammy-winning pop star 🎙 Meghan Trainor taps 🎙 Lennon Stella and 🎙 Sasha Sloan for the assist.  The record appears on Trainor’s delayed, quietly released third studio album, 💿 Treat Myself, which only dented the Billboard 200. Nonetheless, “Workin’ on It” is a moment worth discussing by all means.

“Tryna be good to me
I should give myself way more love.”

Empowerment, self-appreciation, and self-love are the theme here.  Meghan is all about that positivity! “You say I’m beautiful / And I say you’re full of it,” Stella sings on the pre-chorus, continuing, “Nothin’ personal / I’m still not used to this.”  The song itself is respectable, even if I could’ve been more powerful and more rousing.

11. Hozier, “Work Song”

💿 Hozier • 🏷 Rubyworks / Columbia • 📅 2014

“My babe would never fret none / About what my hands and body done / If the Lord don’t forgive me / I’d still have my baby and my babe would have me.” Wow… WOW! Irish singer/songwriter 🎙 Hozier lays it all on the line – this love is totally a deep one on 🎵 “Work Song,” a gem from his 2014 debut album, 💿 Hozier. If he makes nothing else clear, he totally loves his bae: “Boys, workin’ on empty / Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat / I just think about my baby.”

Hozier confirms the depth of his love on the chorus, ludicrously suggesting he’d exit his grave (escaping inevitable death essentially) to be with her.  Give him credit – that’s poetic stuff right there, and authenticity by all means!

“When, my, time comes around
Lay me gently in the cold dark earth
No grave can hold my body down
I’ll crawl home to her.”

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 11 Songs Where It’s All Work and No Play

12. Mary J. Blige, “Work That”

💿 Growing Pains • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2007

🏆 Grammy winning, Academy Award nominated R&B artist and actress 🎙 Mary J. Blige shared her 💿 Growing Pains with us back in 2007.  Growing Pains, of course, followed one of the best and biggest albums of her career, 💿 The Breakthrough.  While Growing Pains didn’t eclipse the masterpiece preceding it, it proved to be another fine addition to her discography.  Among the best moments is undoubtedly 🎵 “Work That” which is chocked-full of attitude.

Blige wrote “Work That” alongside 🎼✍ Sean Garrett, 🎼✍ The Ron “Neff-U” Feemster, and 🎼✍ Trevor Smith.  Furthermore, 🎛 Feemster and 🎛 Garrett stitch up a classy, sleek backdrop for the R&B diva.  “Work That” is all about women’s empowerment, a theme that has since supplanted much of the pain MJB once sang about.  Blige celebrates being herself and “work[ing] what you got.”  The repeated lyrical gem is supported by other excellent lines like “Cause you’re a pretty woman / Get your runaway stride home / And keep going / Girl live your life.” Yeah, girl, you better WORK THAT!

13. Missy Elliott, “Work It”

💿 Under Construction • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2002

“Is it worth it? Let me work it / I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it.” Go ahead 🎙 Missy Elliott – go ‘head girl! Missy definitely references a different kind of work on her classic 🎵 “Work It.” “Work It” appeared on one of her most beloved albums, 💿 Under Construction from 2002. She’d rightfully earn one of her 🏆 four Grammys for her iconic performance, the now defunct Best Female Rap Solo Performance.

“If you got a big [🐘 🎺], let me search you
And find out how hard I gotta work you…”

Woo – I wonder what that elephant trunk trumpeting sound censors??? 🤔 😂 🍆💦… Anyways, to quote another queen, 🎙 Beyoncé, the work being put in is something like “Graining on that wood, graining, graining on that wood / I’m swerving on that.” Now that’s some work right there! That said, Missy doesn’t need any extra assistance considering the one-liners she dishes out kick some serious ass.  Case in point:

“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 waist for ya.”

Honestly, we’d all like work better if it was like this 😈 💯!