Under Construction
Work It
Missy Elliott
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
32
End
226
Internal
59
Multi
186
Slant
9
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
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
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP
If you got a big— let me search ya
And find out how hard I gotta✦ work ya
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (C'mon)
[Verse 2]
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 gonna✦ bring us closer✦ (Okay)✦
Don't I look like a Halle Berry✦ poster?✦
See the Belvedere playing tricks on ya (Ah)
Girlfriend wanna✦ be like me, never✦
You won't find a bitch that's even✦ better✦ (Ah)
I make you hot as Las Vegas✦ weather
Listen✦ up close while I take it backwards
sdrawkcab ti ekat✦ ot ekil✦ yssiM✦ yaw eht hctaW
I'm not a prostitute, but I could give you what you want
I love your braids and your mouth full of fronts
Love the way my ass go ba-bum-bum-bum-bum✦ (Huh)
Keep your eyes on my ba-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum✦ (Okay)✦
You think you can handle this? Ga-dunk-a-dunk-dunk (Woo)
Take my thong off and my ass go boom (Ugh)
Cut the lights on so you see what I could do (C'mon)
[Chorus]
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
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (Ooh)
If you got a big— let me search ya
And find out how hard I gotta✦ work ya
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (Huh)
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (C'mon, c'mon)
[Bridge]
Boys, boys, all type of boys
Black, white, Puerto✦ Rican,✦ Chinese boys (C'mon)
Why-thai,✦ thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai✦
Why-thai,✦ thai-o-toy-o-thai-thai✦ (C'mon)
Girls, girls, get that cash
If it's nine to five or shaking your ass (Aha)✦
Ain't no shame, ladies✦ do your thing (C'mon)
Just make sure you ahead of the game
[Verse 3]
Just 'cause I got a lot of fame super✦
Prince couldn't get me change my name, papa✦
Kunta✦ Kinte a slave again, no sir
Picture✦ Blacks saying, “Oh yes-a,✦ massa”✦
Picture✦ Lil' Kim dating✦ a pastor
Minute✦ man, Big Red could outlast ya
Who is the best? I don't have to ask ya
When I come out, you won't even✦ matter✦ (Ugh)
Why you act dumb like, yeah, duh?
So you act dumb like, uh, duh
As the drummer boy go ba-rom-pop-pom-pom (Ooh)
Give you some-some-some of this cinna-bun (C'mon)
[Chorus]
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
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (Ooh)
If you got a big— let me search ya
And find out how hard I gotta✦ work ya
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP
ti esrever✦ dna ti pilf ,nwod gniht ym tuP (C'mon)
[Outro]
To my fellas✦ (Ooh, good God)
I like the way you work that (Uh-huh,✦ la-la-la-la)
To my ladies✦ (Woo)
You sure know how to work that (Good God)
Technical Breakdown
8.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.50
Production
— Timbaland, Missy ElliottBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Missy Elliott utilizes phonetic reversal as a structural and rhythmic motif that transcends standard rhyme schemes, creating a highly immersive, unconventional sonic experience that remains iconic.
A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
Phonetic reversal (palindromic delivery)Syncopated internal rhymeDynamic vocal layeringOnomatopoeic vocal percussion
Rhyme Architecture: A-A-B-B-B-B-C-C-C-D-D-E-F-G, featuring high-frequency internal rhyme density and the deliberate insertion of reversed vocal samples as a rhythmic hook.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it"
① Physical action or sexual proposition② A literal musical/audio instruction to reverse the playback of the beat
"See the Belvedere playing tricks on ya"
① The intoxicating effects of alcohol causing disorientation② The visual/auditory trickery of the production style mirroring the state of being intoxicated
Exceptional rhythmic innovation
Commanding, energetic vocal delivery
Cohesive conceptual theme built around the act of 'reversing'
Distinctive use of vocal texture
Vocabulary breadth is narrow by design
Relies heavily on repetition rather than dense lyrical narrative