Rihanna
Work (feat. Drake) Lyrics


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Work, work, work, work, work, work

He said me haffi
Work, work, work, work, work, work!
He see me do mi
Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt!
So me put in
Work, work, work, work, work, work

When you ah guh
Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn

Meh nuh cyar if him
Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Dry me ah desert him

Nuh time to have you lurking
Him ah go act like he nah like it

You know I dealt with you the nicest
Nuh body touch me in the righteous
Nuh botha text me in a crisis
I believed all of your dreams, adoration
You took my heart and my keys and my patience
You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration
You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
All that I wanted from you was to give me
Something that I never had
Something that you've never seen
Something that you've never been!
Mmmmm!
But I wake up and act like nothing's wrong

Just get ready fi...

Work, work, work, work, work, work

He said me haffi
Work, work, work, work, work, work!
He see me do mi
Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt!

So me put in
Work, work, work, work, work, work
Ner ner ner ner ner ner!
When you a guh ner ner ner ner ner ner!
Before the tables turn turn turn turn turn turn!

Beg you something please
Baby don't you leave
Don't leave me stuck here in the streets, uh huh
If I get another chance to

I will never, no never neglect you
I mean who am I to hold your past against you?
I just hope that it gets to you
I hope that you see this through
I hope that you see this true
What can I say?

Please recognize I'm tryin', babe!!!

I have to

Work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi
Work, work, work, work, work, work!

He see me do mi

Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt!
So me put in
Work, work, work, work, work, work
When you ah guh
Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn

Meh nuh cyar if him
Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Yeah, okay
You need to get done, done, done, done at work, come over
We just need to slow the motion
Don't give that away to no one
Long distance, I need you
When I see potential I just gotta see it through

If you had a twin, I would still choose you
I don't wanna rush into it, if it's too soon
But I know you need to get done, done, done, done
If you come over
Sorry if I'm way less friendly
I got niggas tryna end me, oh
I spilled all my emotions tonight, I'm sorry
Rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'
How many more shots until you're rollin'?
We just need a face to face
You could pick the time and the place
You spent some time away
Now you need to forward and give me all the...

Work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi
Work, work, work, work, work, work
He se me do mi
Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt!
So me put in
Work, work, work, work, work, work
When you ah guh
Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn
Meh nuh cyar if him
Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Mmmmm, mmmmm
Mmmmm, mmmmm




Work, work, work, work, work, work
Mmmmm, mmmmm

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rihanna's song "Work" featuring Drake describe a toxic relationship where Rihanna has to work hard to maintain it. The repeated refrain of "work, work, work" emphasizes the constant effort she has to put in to make the relationship function. The line "he see me do mi dirt" suggests that Rihanna's partner may be taking advantage of her, causing her to put in extra work to make up for his actions. Despite the difficulties in their relationship, Rihanna still wants it to work and hopes her partner will recognize her efforts.


The lyrics also suggest that Rihanna's partner is not treating her well, hurting her emotionally. She is tired of his negative behavior, but still wants to make things work. She expresses her desire for her partner to recognize her efforts by asking him to "please recognize I'm tryin', babe!" Drake's verse acknowledges the difficulties in their relationship, but also emphasizes his desire for physical intimacy with Rihanna.


Line by Line Meaning

Work, work, work, work, work, work
This line is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the message: work is necessary and it takes a lot of effort and dedication to achieve success.


He said me haffi Work, work, work, work, work, work!
The singer's partner is demanding that they put in a lot of work to maintain the relationship and reach their goals together.


He see me do mi Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt!
The partner has observed the singer's flaws and mistakes, which makes the singer feel the need to put in even more work to prove themselves.


When you ah guh Learn, learn, learn, learn, learn
The artist acknowledges that life comes with a constant learning process, and they must continue to grow and improve themselves.


Meh nuh cyar if him Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting
The artist is willing to endure emotional pain and hurt for their partner's sake, regardless of the consequences.


Dry me ah desert him Nuh time to have you lurking
The singer wants their partner to leave them alone and stop playing mind games, as they need space to focus on their own work and goals.


Him ah go act like he nah like it You know I dealt with you the nicest
The partner is not showing appreciation for the singer's efforts, even though they have always treated them well and with kindness.


Nuh body touch me in the righteous Nuh botha text me in a crisis
The artist demands loyalty from their partner, both in their actions and in their words, especially during difficult times.


I believed all of your dreams, adoration You took my heart and my keys and my patience
The artist was once deeply in love with their partner and supported their dreams, but the relationship has caused them to lose their trust, heart, autonomy, and patience.


You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
The partner saw the artist's love as a weakness and used it to their advantage, but the artist expected it to build a strong foundation for their relationship.


All that I wanted from you was to give me Something that I never had Something that you've never seen Something that you've never been!
The singer desires to experience new and exciting things with their partner, to break away from the monotony of their past experiences and try something unique and special.


But I wake up and act like nothing's wrong
Despite the hurt and pain they feel, the artist chooses to mask their emotions and carry on with their work and responsibilities, despite the toll it takes on them.


Before the tables turn turn turn turn turn turn!
The singer hints that the partner's behavior will have consequences, and that the tables will eventually turn and they will have to face the consequences of their actions.


Beg you something please Baby don't you leave Don't leave me stuck here in the streets, uh huh
The singer pleads with their partner to stay by their side and not abandon them, as they fear being alone and helpless.


If I get another chance to I will never, no never neglect you I mean who am I to hold your past against you?
The singer promises to be better if given another chance, to never neglect or mistreat their partner again, and to forgive them for past mistakes.


I just hope that it gets to you I hope that you see this through I hope that you see this true
The artist desires for their partner to receive and understand their message and to recognize the sincerity of their feelings.


Please recognize I'm trying', babe!!!
The artist wants their partner to see that they are putting in effort and trying their best to make things work, despite the challenges they face.


Yeah, okay You need to get done, done, done, done at work, come over
The partner acknowledges the singer's need to focus on work and encourages them to finish their tasks before spending time together.


We just need to slow the motion Don't give that away to no one
The partner desires to take it slow and not rush into anything, while also keeping their relationship private and not revealing it to others.


Long distance, I need you When I see potential I just gotta see it through
The partner misses the artist and desires their presence, yet they are also motivated to pursue and develop the potential of their relationship.


If you had a twin, I would still choose you I don't wanna rush into it, if it's too soon
The partner affirms their love and commitment to the artist, but they also emphasize the importance of taking things slow and not rushing into anything.


Sorry if I'm way less friendly I got niggas tryna end me, oh
The partner apologizes for appearing distant or unfriendly, as they are dealing with outside forces that threaten their safety and well-being.


I spilled all my emotions tonight, I'm sorry Rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin' How many more shots until you're rollin'?
The partner acknowledges their vulnerability and apologizes for being emotional, and then shifts the conversation to something lighter, asking how many drinks it will take for the singer to let loose.


We just need a face to face You could pick the time and the place
The partner desires to meet with the artist in person so they can communicate more effectively and work things out together, and they are willing to let the artist decide when and where.


You spent some time away Now you need to forward and give me all the...
The partner acknowledges the singer's absence and then switches to a sexual innuendo, suggesting that the singer should give them all of their attention and affection.


Mmmmm, mmmmm
These sounds are used to emphasize the mood and tone of the song, which oscillates between passion, longing, and frustration.




Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@francesfelix9213

Work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi work, work, work, work, work, work
He see me do mi dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt
So me put in work, work, work, work, work, work
When you ah gon' learn, learn, learn, learn, learn?
Me nuh care if him hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Dry, me ah desert him
No time to have you lurking
Him ah go act like he nuh like it
You know I dealt with you the nicest
Nuh body touch me you nuh righteous
Nuh badda, text me in a crisis
I believed all of your dreams, adoration
You took my heart and my keys and my patience
You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration
You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
All that I wanted from you was to give me
Something that I never had
Something that you've never seen
Something that you've never been, mmh
But I wake up and act like nothing's wrong

Just get ready fi work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi work, work, work, work, work, work
He see me do mi dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt
So me put in work, work, work, work, work, work
Na, na, na, na, na, na
When you ah gon' learn, learn, learn, learn, learn, learn?
Before the tables turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn

Beg you something, please
Baby don't you leave
Don't leave me stuck here in the streets, uh huh
If I get another chance to
I will never, no never neglect you
I mean who am I to hold your past against you?
I just hope that it gets to you
I hope that you see this through
I hope that you see this true
What can I say?
Please recognize I'm tryin', babe

I haffi work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi work, work, work, work, work, work
He see me do mi dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt
So me put in work, work, work, work, work, work
When you ah gon' learn, learn, learn, learn, learn
Me nuh care if him hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Yeah, okay
You need to get done, done, done, done at work, come over
We just need to slow the motion
Don't give that away to no one
Long distance, I need you
When I see potential I just gotta see it through
If you had a twin, I would still choose you
I don't wanna rush into it, if it's too soon
But I know you need to get done, done, done, done
If you come over
Sorry if I'm way less friendly
I got niggas tryna end me, oh, yeah
I spilled all my emotions tonight, I'm sorry
Rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'
How many more shots until you're rollin'?
We just need a face to face
You could pick the time and the place
You spent some time away
Now you need to forward

And give me all the work, work, work, work, work, work
He said me haffi work, work, work, work, work, work
He see me do mi dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt
So me put in work, work, work, work, work, work
When you ah gon' learn, learn, learn, learn, learn
Me nuh care if him hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurting

Mmmh
Mmmh
Work, work, work, work, work, work
Mmmh



All comments from YouTube:

@marwingillett1452

The fact that this is 8 years old is so wild.
I hate how fast time flies 😭

@Kucing-ustadZ-epep

Same

@Andrefane32

Same

@graciatumba1994

Me too 🥺

@KiaraBaros

😢😢😢

@captaing6481

frr

2 More Replies...

@lmPeely

Its April 2024, let's see how many legends are listening to this incredible song🧑

@oceanebleunuit

Meeeeee !!!

@zinebamadah6097

bro the song is still fire🔥

@trillian8844

me😂

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