Work It
Teena Marie Lyrics


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It's not the way that you comb your hair to the left side, sugar
It's not the way that you keep the beat
On or off your feet
No mention when we get real close
How my body gets weak, and I'm about to smoke
Do-wa, do-wa, do-wa

All these things that I feel
If you'd only come real
At this moment in time
Right here, right now, you'd be mine
Work it, work it baby, baby can you work
Can you work it like a 9 to 5, child
Work it, I'm talking overtime
Baby, can you work it
Can you work the night shift

It's not the way that you talk that stuff
To my left ear, honey
It's not the way that you take a chance
When you do your dance
No mention you'd be on the scene
And you drive my car
And you gangster lean, do-wa, do-wa, do-wa

All these things that I feel
If you only come real
At this moment in time
Right here, right now, you'd be mine
Work it, work it baby, baby can you work
Can you work it love child
Work it, I'm talking overtime
Baby, can you work it, work it
Can you work the night shift, child

It's not the way that you're right by my side
Or the way that you smooth out the ride
It's not the way that you keep the beat
On or off your feet
It's not the way that you always come through
When you know what to do for my high
It's not the way you break the law
When you do-wa-wa
Work it, can you work it love child
Work it, can you work overtime, all right
Work it, can you work it like a 9 to 5, child




Work it, baby can you work it
Work it, work it baby

Overall Meaning

The song "Work It" by Teena Marie is a playful and seductive tune about a woman asking a man if he can keep up with her, both in the bedroom and in life in general. The lyrics describe various things that the man does that are attractive but not necessarily what she's looking for in a partner - combing his hair, taking chances when he dances, and so on. Instead, she wants someone who can "work it" like a 9-to-5 job, putting in the effort consistently and staying by her side.


The chorus emphasizes this desire for someone who can work hard and play hard, asking the man if he can work it like a 9-to-5 job or overtime, or even the night shift. The repetition of "work it" creates a sense of urgency and excitement, while the do-wa-do-wa-do-wa interjections add a playful, almost childlike tone to the song. Overall, "Work It" is a fun and flirty song that showcases Teena Marie's talent for combining catchy melodies with soulful vocals.


Line by Line Meaning

It's not the way that you comb your hair to the left side, sugar
The way you style your hair is not what makes me want you.


It's not the way that you keep the beat On or off your feet
Your dance moves don't impress me. I want more than that.


No mention when we get real close How my body gets weak, and I'm about to smoke Do-wa, do-wa, do-wa
When we're together, I feel a physical attraction that's hard to resist.


All these things that I feel If you'd only come real At this moment in time Right here, right now, you'd be mine
If you were honest with me and gave me the chance, I could see us being together.


Work it, work it baby, baby can you work Can you work it like a 9 to 5, child Work it, I'm talking overtime Baby, can you work it Can you work the night shift
I want you to work hard to win my heart, even if it means going above and beyond what's expected.


It's not the way that you talk that stuff To my left ear, honey It's not the way that you take a chance When you do your dance
Your smooth talk and confident dance moves aren't enough to win me over.


No mention you'd be on the scene And you drive my car And you gangster lean, do-wa, do-wa, do-wa
I never imagined you being a part of my life in this way, but I kind of like it.


It's not the way that you're right by my side Or the way that you smooth out the ride It's not the way that you keep the beat On or off your feet
Being in close proximity or having a good sense of rhythm isn't enough to make me want you.


It's not the way that you always come through When you know what to do for my high It's not the way you break the law When you do-wa-wa
Your ability to get me what I want and your rebellious side aren't the only things that matter to me.


Work it, can you work it love child Work it, can you work overtime, all right Work it, can you work it like a 9 to 5, child Work it, baby can you work it Work it, work it baby
I need you to put in the effort to get my attention and win me over. Show me what you're made of.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT, PENNY JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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