The Mental Health Benefits of Missy Elliott’s “Work It”
There is no greater joy I can think of than that of switching the radio station and randomly hearing…
Missy Elliott’s “Work It”*
(*also applies to:
“Get Ur Freak On,”
“Gossip Folks” and
“Lose Control”)
This celestial alignment has occurred to me on multiple occasions, often when I could honestly use a little “Misdemeanor” mojo. And each time, almost without fail, such an elation came over me that it has made my day.
Sure, I could just download the song and pop it on as needed, but the fact that I just happen upon it — in my OCD/FOMO channel-surfing way — makes the songs somehow sweeter.
All the active ingredients of the tune provide a quick remedy to whatever is “hurtin’ on ya”:
- The elephant roar to bleep a certain part of the male anatomy.
- The flipped/reversed lyric in the hook.
- The drops, thumping baseline and dance-inducing melody.
(Thank you, Timbaland!) - The onomatopoeic lyrics!
(“bum-bump-bum-bump-bump,” “badonk-a-donk-donk”) - The “…get your hair did”
- The Run-D.M.C. “Peter Piper” BELLS at the end!
It is a song that has stood the test of time for me. More than a decade and a half after its release, I’m still head-bobbing. And now that my daughter enjoys her music popping up too, it is all the more fun. There are definitely impromptu dance parties in the car.
I am honestly happier after I get a dose of “Work It”. Yes, Missy, it’s still “worth it.” Thank you.
