Work It – English Lyrics

• By: Missy Elliott
• Album: ICONOLOGY

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Missy Elliott's "Work It," a groundbreaking hip-hop track that masterfully blends inventive production with bold, empowering lyrics. This song offers a unique opportunity to explore modern English slang and expressions of confidence, assertiveness, and sexual liberation. Its playful wordplay, iconic reversed lines, and dynamic flow make it a thrilling and memorable piece for anyone looking to understand contemporary rap language and cultural impact.

[English]

DJ, please pick up your phone

I'm on the request line

This is a Missy Elliott one-time exclusive (Come on)

Is it worth it, let me work it

I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

If you got a big, let me search it

And find out how hard I gotta work ya

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

I'd like to get to know ya so I could show ya

Put the pussy on ya like I told ya

Gimme all your numbers so I could phone ya

Your girl actin' stank then call me over

Not on the bed, lay me on your sofa

Phone before you come, I need to shave my chocha

You do or you don't or you will or won't ya

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 whips for ya

This the kinda beat that go ra-ta-ta

Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta

Sex me so good I say blah-blah-blah

Work it, I need a glass of water

Boy, oh, boy, it's good to know ya

Is it worth it, let me work it

I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

If you got a big, let me search it

And find out how hard I gotta work ya

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

(Come on)

If you a fly gal get your nails done

Get a pedicure, get your hair did

Boy, lift it up, let's make a toast-a

Let's get drunk, that's gon' bring us closer

Don't I look like a Halle Berry poster

See the Belvedere playin' tricks on ya

Girlfriend want to be like me, never

You won't find a bitch that's even better

I make you hot as Las Vegas weather

Listen up close while I take it backwards

I'm not a prostitute, but I could give you what you want

I love your braids and your mouth full of floss

Love the way my ass go bum-bum-bum-bum

Keep your eyes on my bum-bum-bum-bum-bum

And think you can handle this gadong-a-dong-dong

Take my thong off and my ass go vroom

Cut the lights off so you see what I could do

Is it worth it, let me work it

I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

If you got a big, let me search it

And find out how hard I gotta work ya

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

(Come on)

Boys, boys, all type of boys

Black, white, Puerto Rican, Chinese boys

Why-thai, -thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai

Rock-thai, -thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai

Girls, girls, get that cash

If it's 9 to 5 or shakin' your ass

Ain't no shame, ladies do your thang

Just make sure you ahead of the game

Just 'cause I got a lot of fame supa

Prince couldn't get me change my name papa

Kunta Kinte a slave again, no sir

Picture black sayin', "Oh, yes a master"

Picture Lil' Kim dating a pastor

Minnie Me and Big Ren can out last ya

Who is the best, I don't have to ask ya

When I come out you won't even matter

Why you act dumb like "Uh, duh"

So you act dumb like "Uh, duh"

As the drummer boy go ba-rom-pop-pom-pom

Give you some-some-some of this Cinnabun

Is it worth it, let me work it

I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

If you got a big, let me search it

And find out how hard I gotta work ya

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I

(Come on)

To my fellas

I like the way you work that

To my ladies

You sure know how to work that

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
work /wɜːrk/ A2	verb - to do a job or task
search /sɜːrtʃ/ B1	verb - to look for something carefully or thoroughly
know /noʊ/ A2	verb - to be aware of facts or information
search /sɜːrtʃ/ B1	verb - to look for something carefully or thoroughly
hard /hɑːrd/ B1	adjective - difficult to do or understand
search /sɜːrtʃ/ B1	verb - to look for something carefully or thoroughly
big /bɪg/ A2	adjective - large in size or amount
find /faɪnd/ A2	verb - to discover or get something after looking for it
hard /hɑːrd/ B1	adjective - difficult to do or understand
show /ʃoʊ/ A2	verb - to make something visible or to present
love /lʌv/ A2	verb - to feel deep affection or attachment
take /teɪk/ A2	verb - to grasp or carry something
button /ˈbʌtən/ B2	noun - a small object used for fastening clothes