Britney Spears had been in the public eye for over 21 years when “Work Bitch” was released. Her first national television appearance was on Star Search on March 19, 1992, at age 10. She joined The All-New Mickey Mouse Club in December 1992, then entered the global spotlight when her debut single “…Baby One More Time” was released in September 1998. This is when the world started watching her work.
The Power of Hard Work
Fifteen years later, Britney Spears released “Work Bitch” on September 16, 2013, as the lead single from her eighth album, Britney Jean. The song was co-written by will.i.am, Ruth Cunningham, Anthony Preston, Otto Jettman, and Sebastian Ingrosso.
“This business is really hard to get into. I think you have to know the right people. It’s really cutthroat. You have to be very determined, very focused, and very disciplined, and know that there is going to be a lot of work ahead of you to make it in this business. It is a lot of hard work, and, you know, if you’re cut out for that and understand, really understand what it means, I think then you can succeed,” said Spears.
“Work Bitch” is a high-energy song that encourages people to work hard to achieve the success they want. “Work Bitch” is Britney’s magnum opus.
“After I did a song on Femme Fatale – ‘Big Fat Bass’ – and then we did ‘Scream & Shout,’ she really liked the way we worked because of my approach,” said will.i.am. “So they asked me to be involved in, not producing and writing every song, but to be an executive producer on the songs.”
“I was like, ‘OK, look, guys, me and Britney need to have lunch four times a month for three months before I even try to go in the studio with her… Because we need to talk. We need to talk about what she’s excited about in life. I gotta talk about the things that hurt her. I gotta talk about the things that make her concerned – she’s a mother. I gotta talk to her about all the things that her fans want to talk to her about. I gotta be the vehicle between her and her fans,” said will.i.am. “Let’s talk about things you’ve done in your career, what you’re happy about.”
“I appreciate Britney — how she is as a person, all that she’s accomplished, how down to Earth and humble she is, sweet, but at the same time fierce. She don’t play. She wants to win,” said will.i.am.
Spears stated that will.i.am is “like a little kid in a candy store. He’s a little genius… He’s so eccentric, and I love that about him. He’s so different and fun to be around. The energy is contagious… He has a certain way he writes songs, and I picked up on that. It was kind of inspiring to see, and I was appreciative of that.”
Spears crafted a rollout for “Work Bitch,” demonstrating her understanding of building anticipation. On August 20, her official website launched a countdown titled “All Eyes on Me” set for September 17, sparking speculation about the single’s title. Spears teased that new music was coming “much sooner than you think.”
On September 10, Spears announced the worldwide radio premiere for “Work Bitch” would happen on September 16, tweeting “are u ready?!” to fans who had been waiting for new music. She revealed the song’s writers on September 11 and the single cover on September 12. When the song leaked a day early on September 15, Spears tweeted: “Woke up today and saw that a low quality version of Work Bitch had leaked :(.”
Rather than let the leak derail her carefully planned rollout, she lived her message and worked through the setback.
“Work Bitch” premiered ahead of schedule, and the song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 12, marking Spears’ fifth-highest debut of her career.
“As expected, the song is a full-on club banger with Spears giving fans the secret to her success,” said Billboard.
Lyrically: Work Bitch by Britney Spears
“Work Bitch” opens with a series of questions, asking if you want to look a certain way, own luxury items, and live a lavish lifestyle. Spears provides the answer: ‘You better work, bitch.’ This recurring phrase serves as the song’s central theme, emphasizing that success, in any form, comes through effort and discipline.
You want a hot body? You want a Bugatti?
You want a Maserati? You better work, bitch
You want a Lamborghini? Sip martinis?
Look hot in a bikini? You better work, bitch
You wanna live fancy? Live in a big mansion?
Party in France?
You better work, bitch, you better work, bitch
These lyrics help light the fire and encourage those who take action toward their goals with confidence and discipline. The line “Work it hard, like it’s your profession” highlights the importance of fully dedicating yourself to your goals and becoming the person it takes to achieve them. “Watch out now, ’cause here it comes” suggests that success is just a matter of time, driven by the actions taken.
The ability to work hard is reiterated throughout the song, specifically that “Bring it on, ring the alarm / Don’t stop now, just be the champion / Work it hard, like it’s your profession / Watch out now, ’cause here it comes.”
Here comes the smasher, here comes the master
Here comes the big beat, big beat to blast ya
No time to quit now, just time to get it now
Pick up what I’m putting down, pick up what I’m putting down
The lyrics emphasize determination and massive action, and suggest there is no time to waste, regardless of one’s position. “Here comes the smasher, here comes the master” signals confidence, while “No time to quit now, just time to get it now” stresses persistence and urgency.
“Pick up what I’m putting down” captures the underlying message that Britney is delivering: know what you want, embrace opportunities and challenges, and act without hesitation. Declaring that that if you want a life similar to hers, or any life you dream of, you need act and pursue it.
Hold your head high, fingers to the sky
They gonna try and try ya, but they can’t deny ya
Keep it building higher, and higher
Keep it building higher, and higher
So hold your head high, fingers to the sky
Now they don’t believe ya, but they gonna need ya
Keep it moving higher, and higher
Keep it moving higher and higher, and higher
These lyrics paint a picture of being proud with being resilient. “Hold your head high” and ‘fingers to the sky’ encourage you to believe in yourself and follow through despite the challenges you may face.The lyrics “they gonna try and try ya, but they can’t deny ya” speak to overcoming doubt and negativity. Some will build you up, while others may hope to see you fall. The repeated call to “keep it moving higher” reinforces that, regardless of circumstances, success is up to you.
