| "Work" | ||||
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| Single by Kelly Rowland | ||||
| from the album Ms. Kelly | ||||
| Released | January 18, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Studio | Hit Factory Criteria (Miami) | |||
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"Work" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. It was written by Rowland along with Scott Storch and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd for her second studio album, Ms. Kelly (2007), while production was helmed by Storch and Boyd. An up-tempo party record that displays elements of funk and go-go, "Work" is composed in the key of E♭ minor. Lyrically, the song speaks of a woman who affirms to her man that actions speak louder than words and that she is not a woman who is easy to get to. "Work" was acclaimed by music critics who highlighted the pulsating beat, suggestive lyrics, and the fast and stuttered style in which Rowland sings.
Intended to be released as Ms. Kelly's lead single at one time or another, "Work" was eventually released as the album's second single during the first quarter of 2008 in most international music markets, excluding North America, where "Ghetto" featuring rapper Snoop Dogg was issued instead. Prominently pushed by a bhaṅgṛā-infused dance pop remix by British DJ duo Freemasons, which, according to Rowland, gave it "new life", "Work" enjoyed major commercial success and eventually became Rowland's best-charting solo single in years, reaching the top-ten in Australia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Turkiye and the United Kingdom.
The music video for "Work" was filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Philip Andelman. Influenced by the work of American minimalist Dan Flavin, it shows Rowland and her dancers posed in silhouette and shot against backdrops of vivid color and beam lighting that is used to create kaleidoscope effects. "Work" was part of Rowland's set list for her Ms. Kelly Tour. Its commercial success prompted Rowland to record additional music for the Ms. Kelly album of which a more uptempo deluxe edition reissue was released in 2008 and would introduce a temporary shift to dance music in Rowland's sound in the late 2000s. The song was also featured in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V.