Doctor (Work It Out)
{{Short description|2024 single by Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Doctor (Work It Out)
| cover = Pharrell and Miley Cyrus - Doctor (Work It Out).png
| alt = In small, centered white text, "PHARRELL MILEY DOCTOR (WORK IT OUT)" against a pink field.
| type = single
| artist = Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus
| written = 2012
| released = March 1, 2024
| genre =
- Glam pop
- pop rock{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus and Pharrell's 'Doctor' is a shimmying glam-pop jam – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/miley-cyrus-doctor-review-pharrell-lyrics-b2504857.html |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=The Independent |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301134510/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/miley-cyrus-doctor-review-pharrell-lyrics-b2504857.html |url-status=live }}
| length = 3:02
| label = Columbia
| writer = * Pharrell Williams
| producer = Pharrell Williams
| chronology = Pharrell Williams
| prev_title = Good People
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title = Double Life
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Miley Cyrus
| type = single
| prev_title = Wrecking Ball
| prev_year = 2023
| title = Doctor (Work It Out)
| year = 2024
| next_title = II Most Wanted
| next_year = 2024
}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|xWkqjXjD73E|"Doctor (Work It Out)"}}}}
}}
"Doctor (Work It Out)" is a song produced by American musician Pharrell Williams and sung by Miley Cyrus. It is their first collaboration in ten years, after Cyrus featured on Williams's 2014 single "Come Get It Bae"; Williams previously produced four songs for Cyrus's fourth studio album Bangerz (2013). "Doctor (Work It Out)" is a restructured and re-recorded version of a song recorded during the Bangerz recording sessions. They worked with songwriter Michael Pollack and released it on March 1, 2024.
Background and release
{{Blockquote
| quote = We just believe so much in timing and in everything happening when it's supposed to. And around the Grammys, Pharrell and I were talking about putting the song out, and it just felt like it was so serendipitous, and there were so many alignments and so many moments that made me know that now was the perfect time. And then sometimes things in our past make more sense in our present than they ever did then. [So] this song, I think the nature, the celebration, the feeling, especially with the video, the joy, the dancing, the letting go, it's what this song really always needed.
| author = Cyrus
| source = Pitchfork{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus Share Video for New Song "Doctor (Work It Out)": Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pharrell-williams-and-miley-cyrus-share-video-for-new-song-doctor-work-it-out-watch/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301073030/https://pitchfork.com/news/pharrell-williams-and-miley-cyrus-share-video-for-new-song-doctor-work-it-out-watch/ |url-status=live }}
}}
File:Michael Pollack in 2022.jpg co-wrote the song.]]
The song was initially written and recorded by Cyrus—with co-writing and production by Williams—for her fourth studio album Bangerz (2013) but did not make the final tracklist. Cyrus and Williams collaborated on four tracks that were released as part of the album, and the single "Come Get It Bae" from the latter's second studio album Girl (2014).{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Pharrell Teases Upcoming Miley Cyrus Collaboration Is Coming 'Soon' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pharrell-doctor-miley-cyrus-collab-tease-1235613951/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228150408/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pharrell-doctor-miley-cyrus-collab-tease-1235613951/ |url-status=live }} A demo titled "Doctor" was leaked online in December 2017.{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Pharrell Williams Resurfaces Unreleased Miley Cyrus Collaboration for Louis Vuitton Fall-Winter Show |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-unreleased-song-louis-vuitton-fashion-show-1234947768/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228150408/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-unreleased-song-louis-vuitton-fashion-show-1234947768/ |url-status=live }}
Over a decade later, the track was reworked and re-recorded by 2023,{{Cite magazine |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Is Teasing Her Next Chapter Weeks After Her Greatest Career Triumph |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/02/28/miley-cyrus-is-teasing-her-next-chapter-weeks-after-her-greatest-career-triumph/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Forbes |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228140855/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/02/28/miley-cyrus-is-teasing-her-next-chapter-weeks-after-her-greatest-career-triumph/ |url-status=live }} and was previewed during the livestream of Williams's Louis Vuitton menswear fall-winter show during Paris Fashion Week, on January 16, 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Unreleased 'Doctor' Track Previewed at Louis Vuitton Fashion Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-unreleased-doctor-track-louis-vuitton-fashion-show-1235582374/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228142843/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-unreleased-doctor-track-louis-vuitton-fashion-show-1235582374/ |url-status=live }} In February, Cyrus's website and social media layouts were updated with new pictures from a Polaroid-themed photoshoot, which prompted speculation on new music.{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Rebekah |date=February 3, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Excites Fans With Chic New Photos |url=https://kiisfm.iheart.com/content/2024-02-02-miley-cyrus-excites-fans-with-chic-new-photos/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |publisher=KIIS-FM |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228150408/https://kiisfm.iheart.com/content/2024-02-02-miley-cyrus-excites-fans-with-chic-new-photos/ |url-status=live }} Later that month, Williams previewed the song via his social media and alluded to an official release, with his post captioned as "soon".{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Emma |date=February 25, 2024 |title=Pharrell says a collaboration with Miley Cyrus is 'coming soon' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pharrell-says-a-collaboration-with-miley-cyrus-is-coming-soon-3592340 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=NME |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228150408/https://www.nme.com/news/music/pharrell-says-a-collaboration-with-miley-cyrus-is-coming-soon-3592340 |url-status=live }}
On February 27, Cyrus announced the single's title as "Doctor (Work It Out)", shared a promotional image, and released a 30-second snippet via her social media.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Abby |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus's New Song 'Doctor (Work It Out)' With Pharrell Williams: Lyrics, Release Date & More |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/miley-cyrus-song-doctor-work-it-out-pharrell-williams-lyrics/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228150844/https://www.capitalfm.com/news/miley-cyrus-song-doctor-work-it-out-pharrell-williams-lyrics/ |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |publisher=Capital}} The picture featured Cyrus standing against a gray background and looking into the camera, styled with big hair and wearing a blue fur coat. The title appears in pink at the top of the image.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Shares the Cover Art for Pharrell Collaboration 'Doctor (Work It Out)' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-cover-art-pharrell-collaboration-doctor-work-it-out-1235616611/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228020834/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-cover-art-pharrell-collaboration-doctor-work-it-out-1235616611/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Revives 'Bangerz'-Era Leak in 'Doctor (Work It Out)' Single Teaser |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-pharrell-doctor-release-date-1234977786/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301071106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-pharrell-doctor-release-date-1234977786/ |url-status=live }} Pre-save links to the song were made available simultaneously. The day after, Cyrus released a preview of the song's music video of her dancing and singing along to the lyrics, and announced the release date as March 1, 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus Shares Snippet of New Song 'Doctor (Work It Out)' With Pharrell & Release Date |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-doctor-work-it-out-release-date-snippet-1235617435/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228182125/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/miley-cyrus-doctor-work-it-out-release-date-snippet-1235617435/ |url-status=live }}
"Doctor (Work It Out)" is Cyrus's first collaboration with Williams in over a decade, after "Come Get It Bae", and their fifth, overall.{{Cite web |last=Vito |first=Jo |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Team Up to Find a Cure on New Single "Doctor (Work It Out)": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2024/03/miley-cyrus-pharrell-doctor-work-it-stream/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Consequence |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301072003/https://consequence.net/2024/03/miley-cyrus-pharrell-doctor-work-it-stream/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Reunite For First Time in a Decade on 'Doctor (Work It Out)' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-pharrell-williams-doctor-work-it-out-1234978403/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301065418/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-pharrell-williams-doctor-work-it-out-1234978403/ |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
In a four out of five stars review, Roisin O'Connor of The Independent described the song as a "glam-pop-rock jam" with "funky bass hook". The writer assimilated its "melody and rhythm" to "I Wanna Be Your Slave" by Måneskin and called the intro as "redolent of the one on "Blurred Lines", finding that "Cyrus elevates what could've been a forgettable bop, adding the thrills and spills with a gasp, a moan."
Music video
The music video for "Doctor (Work It Out)" is directed by Jacob Bixenman. It premiered simultaneously with the release of the song, via Cyrus's Vevo channel on YouTube.
Accolades
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+Awards and nominations for "Doctor (Work It Out)" ! scope="col" | Organization ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row" | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
| 2024 | Favorite Music Collaboration | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center" | {{cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-kids-choice-awards-nominations-1235698356/|title=Taylor Swift, 'Barbie' Lead Nominations for 2024 Kids' Choice Awards (Full List)|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=June 5, 2024|magazine=Billboard}} |
|---|
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Doctor (Work It Out)"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Pharrell Williams & Miley Cyrus|title=Doctor (Work It Out)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2024|certyear=2025|access-date=January 28, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Doctor (Work It Out)" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| March 1, 2024 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Columbia | style="text-align:center" | {{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Pharrell |last2=Cyrus |first2=Miley |date=March 1, 2024 |title=Doctor (Work It Out) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/doctor-work-it-out-single/1732342309 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |publisher=Apple Music (US) |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301183635/https://music.apple.com/us/album/doctor-work-it-out-single/1732342309 |url-status=live }} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Italy
| March 8, 2024 | Sony |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Pharrell Williams}}
{{Miley Cyrus songs}}
Category:Pharrell Williams songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Pharrell Williams
Category:Songs written by Michael Pollack (musician)
Category:Songs written by Miley Cyrus