"Work Bitch" (edited for radio as "Work Work") is a song by American singer Britney Spears released as the lead single for her eighth studio album, Britney Jean (2013). It was written by Spears, will.i.am, Otto Knows, Sebastian Ingrosso, Anthony Preston and Ruth-Anne Cunningham. The song's production was handled by Ingrosso, Jettman and Adams, while vocal production was done by Adams and Preston. "Work Bitch" made its premiere on September 15, 2013, on iHeartRadio and select Clear Channel radio stations and was released as the lead single from the album on September 16, 2013, by RCA Records from the record alongside a clean version titled "Work Work".
"Work Bitch" is an EDM song containing mostly spoken lyrics, where Spears repeatedly exhorts "bitches" to "get to work". "Work Bitch" garnered critical acclaim, with praise drawn towards its production and female empowerment lyrics. It received several certifications from multiple countries. "Work Bitch" debuted and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Work Bitch" peaked within the top ten of the charts in 14 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
An accompanying music video for "Work Bitch" was directed by Ben Mor and filmed in Malibu, California and released in October 2013. It is one of the most expensive music videos of all time and has generated acclaim from critics, who praised Spears' dancing and the visual cinematography.
Background and release
Previously, in 2012, Spears and will.i.am collaborated on the song "Scream & Shout"; will.i.am was later announced in March 2013 as the executive producer for Spears' eighth studio album. In preparation for the single and album, Spears began working with a vocal coach and choreography collaboratively. "Work Bitch" was confirmed by Spears on September 7, 2013, during the video's filming. On August 20, 2013, Spears' official website launched a countdown titled "All Eyes on Me" counting down to September 17, 2013, which lead fans to speculate that this was, in fact, the single title. In response, Spears told fans that new music was coming "much sooner than you think".
On September 10, 2013; Spears confirmed "Work Bitch"s worldwide radio premiere for September 16, 2013, at 6p.m. ET on her official Twitter account, following up with a second tweet, "Work Bitch will be available on @iTunesMusic that night at 12:01am ET, Sept 17th... are u ready?! #YouBettaWorkB #1Week". On September 11, Spears revealed the writers of the song. The next day, Spears revealed the official single cover. The artwork features her posing in front of a vanity mirror, wearing a bedazzled leotard complete with feathered shoulders. A small sign can be seen behind her reading "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas", referencing her Las Vegas residency. The song leaked in full on September 15, 2013, one day before it was due for release on iHeartRadio and was therefore premiered a day earlier than scheduled. A clean version of the song, titled "Work Work" has also been released. A CD single of the song was released in Germany on October 18, 2013.
Composition
"Work Bitch" was written by Spears with will.i.am and Anthony Preston, and features a beat from DJ Otto Knows. Knows is managed by Swedish House Mafia member Sebastian Ingrosso, who also received a songwriting credit; however, Ingrosso revealed he did not write the lyrics. "Work Bitch" is an EDM song written in common time in the key of E minor, at a tempo of 128 beats per minute, wherein Spears, repeatedly exhorts "bitches" to "get to work". It starts with a basic club beat, with a monotone taunting chorus: "You want a hot body? / You want a Bugatti? / You want a Maserati? / You better work bitch!" Spears alludes to the luxuries she has attained due to her strong work ethic: "You want a Lamborghini? / Sip martinis? / Look hot in a bikini? / You better work bitch!" and "You wanna live fancy? / Live in a big mansion? / Party in France?"