ONTD Original: Eight “Work” Anthems from Your Faves Part II
It was 2016, Rihanna and Drake's “Work” had just spent its eighth week at no. 1. Before the success however, ONTD was skeptical and thought it was going to flop. I know, I know, it was wild. Due to the song's massive success at the time, I had brought to your attention eight other Work themed songs and rated them. Sometime has passed since then and now there are new songs that fit that theme as well as past songs I had forgotten or left off the first list (one purposely tbh - #SorryNotSorryIggy). So, let's do it again and rate eight more work based songs. Once again, this OP will grade each “Work” song with a rating of 1 to 5 based on a combination of song/anthem quality (65%), chart success (10%), and lbr my own self bias (25%). ❤
RuPaul - “Supermodel (You Better Work)”
Click to viewReleased: 1993
Album: Supermodel of the World
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 39
UK Singles Chart: 52
Stand Out Lyrics:
Once upon a time, there was a little black girl
In the brust of projects of Detroit, Mexico
At fifteen, she was spotted by an Ebony Fashion Fair talent scout
And her modeling career took off, you better work
Rating (5 out of 5 hammers - it's a damn classic):
J. Cole - “Work Out”
Released: 2011
Album: Cole World: The Sideline Story
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 13
Canadian Hot 100 Chart: 32
Stand Out Lyrics:
Straight up, now tell me
Do you really wanna love me forever? (oh oh oh)
Or is it just a hit-and-run?
(Work out for me, work out for me)
[basically that Paula Abdul sample]
Rating (4 out of 5 hammers):
Zac Efron, Baby V and the HSM2 Cast - “Work This Out”
Released: 2007
Album: High School Musical 2 (Soundtrack)
Billboard 200 Album Peak: 1
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: n/a
UK Singles Chart: n/a
Stand Out Lyrics:
We've got to work, work
There'll be no doubt
We can still save the summer
If we work this out
[groundbreaking]
Rating (3 out of 5 hammers):
lol, wut. why?
Nadine Coyle - “Go To Work”
Released: 2017
Album: n/a
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: n/a
UK Singles Downloads Chart: 57
Scotland (Official Charts Company): 52
Stand Out Lyrics:
Why don’t you go to work?
Do your nine to five
Gotta treat me right
You need to earn your stripes
Why don’t you do your thing?
Bring the money home
Just like mama done
Rating (3 out of 5 hammers):
Alex Aiono - “Work the Middle”
Released: 2017
Album: n/a
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: n/a
UK Singles Chart: n/a
Stand Out Lyrics:
Come and meet me at the afterparty
Bring your body, mama work the middle
Just a little don't tell nobody
Bring your body, mama work the middle
Rating (2 out of 5 hammers):
Majid Jordan - “Make it Work”
Released: 2016
Album: Majid Jordan
Billboard 200: 69
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: n/a
Stand Out Lyrics:
I've been having lots of troubles here lately
I don't wanna do these things but you make me (You do)
Something in my heart feels vacant
I can't even pretend, no, I won't even pretend
Rating (4 out of 5 hammers):
Kanye West - “The New Workout Plan”
Released: 2004
Album: The College Dropout
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart: 59
UK Singles Chart: n/a
Stand Out Lyrics:
You just popped in the Kanye West
Get right for the summer workout tape
And ladies if you follow these instructions exactly
You might bear to pull you a rapper, a NBA player
Man, at least a dude wit' a car
Rating (4 out of 5 hammers):
ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. - “Working For It”
Released: 2015
Album: Genesis Series
Billboard Hot 100 Chart: n/a
UK Singles Chart: n/a
Stand Out Lyrics:
You've been working here all night long
Let me see if I can give you better
Even when I'm far and gone
I know you're working for it
Rating (4 out of 5 hammers):
Part I
Before you rightfully drag me, make sure your fave isn't already in the first list.
Sources: Me & 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8