Watch Me Do

{{Infobox song

| name = Watch Me Do

| type = Promotional single

| artist = Meghan Trainor

| album = Thank You

| released = {{Start date|2016|3|25}}

| genre = Pop

| length = {{duration|m=2|s=49}}

| label = Epic

| writer =

| producer = Ricky Reed

}}

"Watch Me Do" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her second major-label studio album, Thank You (2016). It was released on March 25, 2016, to digital download platforms by Epic Records as the album's first promotional single. Produced by Ricky Reed, he co-wrote the song with Trainor, Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Gamal Lewis. "Watch Me Do" is a hip hop-influenced pop song, with lyrics about female empowerment. The track received mixed reviews from music critics, with some of them appreciating its empowering theme but others being critical of Trainor's rapping skills. It was performed during Trainor's The Untouchable Tour (2016).{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/7640870/meghan-trainor-greek-theatre-live-concert-review |title=Meghan Trainor At L.A.'s Greek Theatre: Self Empowerment Reigns |last=Ball-Dionne |first=Caila |date=July 23, 2016 |publisher=Idolator |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209194831/http://www.idolator.com/7640870/meghan-trainor-greek-theatre-live-concert-review |archive-date=February 9, 2017 }}{{cite magazine |last=Goodman |first=William |title=Meghan Trainor: A Retro-Pop Everywoman at Seattle Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7439116/meghan-trainor-retro-pop-everywoman-seattle-show |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 25, 2018 |date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925143752/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7439116/meghan-trainor-retro-pop-everywoman-seattle-show |archive-date=September 25, 2018 }}{{cite magazine |last=Craddock |first=Lauren |title=Meghan Trainor Performs With James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld Covers Justin Bieber at L.A. Concert |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7446684/meghan-trainor-performs-with-james-corden-hailee-steinfeld-justin-bieber-greek-theatre-los-angeles |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 25, 2018 |date=July 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925150938/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7446684/meghan-trainor-performs-with-james-corden-hailee-steinfeld-justin-bieber-greek-theatre-los-angeles |archive-date=September 25, 2018 }}

Background and composition

File:Ricky_Reed_2015_BMI_Pop_Awards.png.]]

"Watch Me Do" was written by Meghan Trainor along with Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Gamal Lewis and Ricky Reed, with the latter also having produced the song. The song was released as the first promotional single from Trainor's second major-label studio album Thank You (2016), on March 25, 2016, by Epic Records. It is an upbeat, brass-heavy pop track where Trainor references a number of rap songs,{{cite web| last=Lindner| first=Emilee| title=Meghan Trainor's 'Watch Me Do' is a Culmination of Every Rap Cliche Ever| url=http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-song| publisher=Fuse| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328164121/http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-song| archive-date=March 28, 2016}} containing "90s hip hop throwback vibes" according to MTV News.{{cite web| last=Geffen| first=Sasha| title=Hear Meghan Trainor Assume Her Hip-Hop Alter Ego On 'Watch Me Do'| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2799349/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do| publisher=MTV News| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327012201/http://www.mtv.com/news/2799349/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do/| archive-date=March 27, 2016}} Colin Stutz of Billboard noted the presence of "swagger" and "groove", and writing "she opens the track singing over a funky drum beat before going on to gloat".{{cite magazine| last=Stutz| first=Colin| title=Meghan Trainor is All Swagger on New Track 'Watch Me Do'| url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7311480/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-new-song-thank-you-stream| magazine=Billboard| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329040011/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7311480/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-new-song-thank-you-stream| archive-date=March 29, 2016}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Dana Rose Falcone described it as a "female-empowerment" track, adding that she "peppers her new song with some hip-hop and doesn't play the modesty card".{{cite magazine| last=Falcone| first=Dana Rose| title=Meghan Trainor's on a 'Low Hater Diet' in New Track 'Watch Me Do'| url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/25/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do| magazine=Entertainment Weekly| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328181840/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/25/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do| archive-date=March 28, 2016}}

Music Times{{'}} Carolyn Menyes described the track as a notable departure from Trainor's previous work, writing "it differs greatly from the doo-wop influences of Trainor's first album and few hit singles" and compared it to the works of Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child.{{cite web| last=Menyes| first=Carolyn| title=Meghan Trainor 'Watch Me Do' Review: New 'Thank You' Track Keeps It Old School| url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/68534/20160325/meghan-trainor-watch-review-new-thank-track-keeps-old-school.htm| website=Music Times| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329064620/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/68534/20160325/meghan-trainor-watch-review-new-thank-track-keeps-old-school.htm| archive-date=March 29, 2016}} Sam Warner of Digital Spy described it as a "2000s banger", and "a typically Trainor-esque empowering anthem". He likened it to the early work of Britney Spears.{{cite web| last=Warner| first=Sam| title=Meghan Trainor Releases Another HOT 2000s Banger with 'Watch Me Do'| url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a788205/meghan-trainor-releases-another-hot-2000s-banger-with-watch-me-do| website=Digital Spy| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328165501/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a788205/meghan-trainor-releases-another-hot-2000s-banger-with-watch-me-do/| archive-date=March 28, 2016}} Idolator's Carl Williott wrote that Trainor was in "full flaunt mode", adding "she preens over a syncopated synth-horn-snare beat".{{cite web| last=Williott| first=Carl| title=Meghan Trainor Is In Full Flaunt Mode on 'Watch Me Do'| url=http://www.idolator.com/7627857/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do| publisher=Idolator| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328073136/http://www.idolator.com/7627857/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do| archive-date=March 28, 2016}}

Critical reception

"Watch Me Do" received mixed reviews from music critics. Spin's Dan Weiss was positive of the song, and compared it to Mark Ronson's work.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Dan|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/05/review-meghan-trainor-thank-you/|title=Review: Meghan Trainor, 'Thank You'|work=Spin|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518103926/http://www.spin.com/2016/05/review-meghan-trainor-thank-you/|archive-date=May 18, 2016}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Isabella Biedenharn called it one of the best tracks on Thank You, and said that Trainor "brings hip-hop flavor to this booty-shaking banger".{{cite magazine |last=Biedenharn |first=Isabella |title=Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/12/meghan-trainors-thank-you-review/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 20, 2019 |date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120800/https://ew.com/article/2016/05/12/meghan-trainors-thank-you-review/ |archive-date=November 21, 2018 }} Writing for USA Today, Patrick Ryan was positive about "Watch Me Do", stating that it makes clear that Trainor can "successfully do" several genres.{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |title=Review: Meghan Trainor exudes confidence on 'Thank You' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/reviews/2016/05/12/meghan-trainor-thank-you-album-review/84228362/ |website=USA Today |access-date=March 20, 2019 |date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908220450/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/reviews/2016/05/12/meghan-trainor-thank-you-album-review/84228362/ |archive-date=September 8, 2016 }} Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica called the song "tough-stand", likening it to Destiny's Child's "Independent Women (Part 1)".{{cite web |author=Caramanica, Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |title=Review: Meghan Trainor and Mike Posner, Taking Stabs at Pop Stardom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/arts/music/meghan-trainor-mike-posner.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 20, 2019 |date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108105227/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/arts/music/meghan-trainor-mike-posner.html |archive-date=November 8, 2018 }} Bustle{{'}}s Amy Roberts included "I ain't saying I'm the besteses / But I got nice curves, nice breasteses/ I don't erase the textes from my exeses/ All in my DMs, leaving messages" and "I'm the shh, be quiet/ I've been on a low-hater diet" in her list of the most empowering lyrics on Thank You.{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Amy |title=21 Empowering Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' Lyrics To Make Your New Anthem |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/160659-21-empowering-meghan-trainors-thank-you-lyrics-to-make-your-new-anthem |website=Bustle |access-date=March 20, 2019 |date=May 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926115013/http://www.bustle.com/articles/160659-21-empowering-meghan-trainors-thank-you-lyrics-to-make-your-new-anthem |archive-date=September 26, 2016 }}

Writing for PopMatters, Chris Conaton said that "Watch Me Do" has a "pretty strong" hook and called the James Brown references catchy, but noted that its lyrics shift from "ingénue to braggadocious star".{{cite web|last=Conaton|first=Chris|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you-deluxe-edition/|title=Meghan Trainor: Thank You (Deluxe Edition)|publisher=PopMatters|date=May 25, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526110012/http://www.popmatters.com/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you-deluxe-edition/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}} Slant Magazine writer Alexa Camp was critical of the song, saying that it confuses "delusional self-importance with self-worth".{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you|title=Meghan Trainor: Thank You|last=Camp|first=Alexa|work=Slant Magazine|date=May 7, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513072737/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you|archive-date=May 13, 2016}} Allison Weintraub of The Oklahoma Daily criticized it, describing it as "terrible pseudo-rap", with "weirdly pluralized words".{{cite web| last=Weintraub| first=Allison| title=Friday brings new tunes from Grande, Fifth Harmony, Trainor and Banks, but not all of them are hits| url=http://www.oudaily.com/a_and_e/friday-brings-new-tunes-from-grande-fifth-harmony-trainor-and/article_317f84f8-f248-11e5-93f6-6ff630ddecda.html| website=The Oklahoma Daily| access-date=March 27, 2016| date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527132813/http://www.oudaily.com/a_and_e/friday-brings-new-tunes-from-grande-fifth-harmony-trainor-and/article_317f84f8-f248-11e5-93f6-6ff630ddecda.html| archive-date=May 27, 2016}} Bustle's Mary Grace Garis criticized Trainor's use of the term "nice breasteses", and called "Watch Me Do" one of the weakest tracks on its parent album.{{cite web |last=Grace Garis |first=Mary |title=Ranking Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' Track List From 'Bleh' To 'All About That Track' |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/160642-ranking-meghan-trainors-thank-you-track-list-from-bleh-to-all-about-that-track |website=Bustle |access-date=March 20, 2019 |date=May 13, 2016}}

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Thank You.{{cite AV media notes| year=2016| title=Thank You| others=Meghan Trainor| publisher=Epic Records}}

Meghan Trainor – songwriting, background vocals, lead vocals
Ricky Reed – songwriting, production, bass, guitar, keyboards, programming
Tom Peyton – drums
Jacob Kasher Hindlin – songwriting
Gamal Lewis – songwriting

Charts

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Chart (2016) ! Peak position
scope="row"\| US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine \|title=Meghan Trainor (Chart Search) \|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Meghan+Trainor&charttitle=Watch+Me+Do&label=&chartcode=&chart_date= \|magazine=Billboard \|access-date=May 19, 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519165113/https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Meghan+Trainor&charttitle=Watch+Me+Do&label=&chartcode=&chart_date= \|archive-date=May 19, 2020}} \| 36

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

Chart (2016)

! Peak
position

scope="row"| US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine |title=Meghan Trainor (Chart Search) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Meghan+Trainor&charttitle=Watch+Me+Do&label=&chartcode=&chart_date= |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519165113/https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Meghan+Trainor&charttitle=Watch+Me+Do&label=&chartcode=&chart_date= |archive-date=May 19, 2020}}

| 36

References

Category:2016 songs

Category:American hip-hop songs

Category:Meghan Trainor songs

Category:Songs written by Jacob Kasher

Category:Songs written by Ricky Reed

Category:Songs written by LunchMoney Lewis

Category:Songs written by Meghan Trainor