"Work" received positive reviews from critics, and it appeared on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and the UK Singles Chart. A music video was released for the song; it featured interviews with high school students.
"Work" was written by Jimmy Eat World's frontman, Jim Adkins. According to Adkins, "'Work' is about doing something you know you shouldn't be doing ... It's about walking into an unhealthy situation, on purpose. Which could mean it's about an interoffice romance."
Liz Phair agreed to sing backing vocals on the song after the band played it for her. Adkins later said, "We're all fans of [Phair's album Exile in Guyville], so maybe a bit of a crush thing was happening. She definitely brings the sexiness. An unquantifiable sexiness, sure, but she definitely brings it. She was super cool to work with. 'Work' sounded like something she would sing, so we hunted her down through people we knew in Los Angeles. We showed her the song, she really liked it, so she came down and sang on it."
Work
Jimmy Eat World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only just one time
Then be happy with the consequence
With whatever's gonna happen tonight
Don't think we're not serious
When's it ever not
The love we make is give and it's take
All I can say, I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
(Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh oh)
(Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh oh)
All the best DJs are saving their slowest song for last
When the dance is through it's me and you
Come on, would it really be so bad
The things we think might be the same
But I won't fight for more
It's just not me to wear it on my sleeve
Count on that for sure
All I can say, I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
We still have time
(Oh oh, oh oh)
(Oh oh, oh oh)
(Oh oh, oh oh)
(Oh oh, oh oh)
Can't say I was never wrong
But some blame rests on you
Work and play they're never okay to mix
The way we do
All I can say, I shouldn't say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
We still have time
(Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh oh)
(Oh oh, oh oh)
The lyrics to Jimmy Eat World's "Work" are about a person yearning for a chance to be with someone just once, despite knowing that it's not a wise decision. They express a desire to take a risk without a care for any consequences that might happen later that night. They are determined to make the most of the opportunity to be with someone they truly love. Additionally, the lyrics highlight the inevitable tension that appears when work and play are not kept separate, which puts a strain on their relationship. Despite all this, they still ask if they can take a ride together and get out of that place while they still have time.
The songwriter conveys the feeling of impulsiveness and longing through the repetition of the phrase "can we take a ride?" If interpreted metaphorically, it suggests an immediate escape from reality and an opportunity to be with someone special. The line "work and play they're never okay to mix the way we do" hints that they are aware of the potential disaster that awaits them by intertwining their personal life with their professional life.
Line by Line Meaning
If you only once would let me
The singer wishes to experience something particular, but needs cooperation from someone else to make it happen
Only just one time
The singer only needs a single opportunity to make the aforementioned event happen
Then be happy with the consequence
The singer doesn't want any guilt or sadness associated with this event
With whatever's gonna happen tonight
The artist is ready to see what will happen as a result of this event
Don't think we're not serious
The artist wants to assure listeners that this request is not a joke or a prank
When's it ever not
The singer believes the seriousness of their request should be obvious
The love we make is give and it's take
The singer believes that true love requires mutual giving and receiving
I'm game to play along
The artist is willing to be flexible and participate in whatever happens as a result of the aforementioned request
All I can say, I shouldn't say
The artist is hesitant to give voice to their desires openly
Can we take a ride?
The artist wants to physically depart from the current location
Get out of this place while we still have time
The singer feels a sense of urgency to leave the present location
All the best DJs are saving their slowest song for last
The artist is using a simile to describe the importance of the event that they wish to happen
When the dance is through it's me and you
The singer wants to focus on themselves and their companion without distractions or interruptions
Come on, would it really be so bad
The singer tries to make the idea more attractive to their associate, implying there are few drawbacks
The things we think might be the same
The singer believes that they and their friend might have similar ideas about the current situation
But I won't fight for more
The artist thinks that their preference is reasonable and doesn't want to convince or force others
It's just not me to wear it on my sleeve
The artist is a private person and typically doesn't express their feelings so openly
Count on that for sure
The singer is reassuring someone of their reliability and consistency
Can't say I was never wrong
The singer is admitting that they might have made mistakes in the past, but is focusing on this moment
But some blame rests on you
The artist believes the listeners share some responsibility in what is happening now
Work and play they're never okay to mix
The artist believes that fun and serious activities should be kept separate
The way we do
The artist believes the listeners don't always abide by this principle
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Christopher Adkins, Richard E Burch, Thomas Darrell Linton, Zachary Michel Lind
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angelalynn9891
If you only once would let me
Only just one time
Then be happy with the consequence
With whatever's gonna happen tonight
Don't think we're not serious
When's it ever not
The love we make is give and it's take
I'm game to play along
All I can say I should say
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
The best DJs are saving their slowest song for last
When the dance is through it's me and you
Come on, would it really be so bad
The things we think may be the same
But I won't fight for more
It's just not me to wear it on my sleeve
Count on that for sure
All I can say I should have said
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
We still have time
Can't say I was never wrong
But some blame rests on you
Work and play they're never okay to mix
The way we do
All I can say I should have said
Can we take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
You want to take a ride?
Get out of this place while we still have time
We still have time
@leokimvideo
Jimmy Eats World writes music for the future, it's wisdom music. A band that the record companies didn't understand because they were never future thinking.
@WindsFromHeaven
It's funny how you never really understand songs like this until you've already passed that point when it could've really helped you..
@callumwatson5211
Yeah... That just happened to me to... dammit xD
In college now WOOP!
@jessicacooke204
God isn't this the truth?
RIP 2004 and sweet sixteen.
@L17Music
I think I'm at this point right now so good timing to find this song
@Soto001SNM
Always happens.
@denzellzepeda4275
Same this song is my go to 6 years ago
@darthtater6543
Jimmy Eat World is so underrated and deserves to be 1 of the all time great bands. So many great hits and amazing sounds. All their albums are soundtracks to times of my life. I'm so glad they're still together.
@miize2002
the modern music sounds all the same and its become boring like listen to 80's and early 2000-2003 the good times!
@oscarrojas1379
Their new album is so good