Work Bitch

Previously, in 2012, Spears and will.i.am collaborated on the song "Scream & Shout"; will.i.am was later announced in March 2013 as the executive producer for Spears' eighth studio album.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1560153/william-executive-producing-new-britney-spears-album|title=Will.i.am Executive Producing New Britney Spears Album|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=May 4, 2013|date=May 1, 2013}} In preparation for the single and album, Spears began working with a vocal coach and choreographer collaboratively.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a511438/britney-spears-hires-vocal-coach-for-top-secret-announcement.html|title=Britney Spears hires vocal coach for "top secret" announcement|last=Klompus|first=Jack|publisher=Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK)|access-date=September 12, 2013|date=August 31, 2013}} "Work Bitch" was confirmed by Spears on September 7, 2013, during the video's filming.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5680049/britney-spears-fall-music-preview-2013|title=Britney Spears: Fall Music Preview 2013|last=Hampp|first=Andrew|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=September 12, 2013|date=September 3, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/08/britney-spears-teases-dirty-flirty-new-music-video-in-racy-twitter-snap-3954044/|title=Britney Spears teases 'dirty, flirty' new music video in racy Twitter snap|last=Deen|first=Sarah|newspaper=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers|access-date=September 8, 2013|date=September 8, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/britney-spears/390360-britney-spears-video-shoot-snap|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053911/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/britney-spears/390360-britney-spears-video-shoot-snap|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2013|title=Britney Spears Shares Video Shoot Snap|publisher=MTV News (MTV Networks)|location=UK|access-date=September 8, 2013 |date=September 8, 2013}} On August 20, 2013, Spears' official website launched a countdown titled "All Eyes on Me" counting down to September 17, 2013, which lead fans to speculate that this was, in fact, the single title. In response, Spears told fans that new music was coming "much sooner than you think".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5657798/britney-spears-teases-all-eyes-on-me-release-with-countdown-clock|title=Britney Spears Teases 'All Eyes on Me' Release with Countdown Clock|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=August 21, 2013|date=August 20, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-britney-spears-begins-the-countdown-for-all-eyes-on-me-20130820,0,6734372.story|title=Britney Spears begins the countdown for 'All Eyes on Me'|last=Martens|first=Todd|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 21, 2013|date=August 20, 2013}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/britney-spears-sets-timer-for-all-eyes-on-me-20130820|title=Britney Spears Sets Timer for 'All Eyes on Me'|last=Coulehan|first=Ellie|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date=August 21, 2013|date=August 20, 2013}}

On September 10, 2013; Spears confirmed "Work Bitch"{{-'}}s worldwide radio premiere for September 16, 2013, at 6{{nbsp}}p.m. ET on her official Twitter account, following up with a second tweet, "Work Bitch will be available on @iTunesMusic that night at 12:01am ET, Sept 17th... are u ready?! #YouBettaWorkB #1Week".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5687372/britney-spears-confirms-work-bitch-single-release|title=Britney Spears Confirms 'Work Bitch' Single Release|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=September 11, 2013|date=September 11, 2013}} On September 11, Spears revealed the writers of the song. The next day, Spears revealed the official single cover. The artwork features her posing in front of a vanity mirror, wearing a bedazzled leotard complete with feathered shoulders. A small sign can be seen behind her reading "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas", referencing her Las Vegas residency. The song leaked in full on September 15, 2013, one day before it was due for release on iHeartRadio{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a515509/britney-spears-new-single-work-bitch-leaks-listen.html|title=Britney Spears new single 'Work Bitch' leaks - listen|last=Daniel|first=Colin|publisher=Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK)|access-date=September 15, 2013|date=September 15, 2013}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5695450/britney-spears-work-bitch-leaks-online-listen|title=Britney Spears' 'Work Bitch' Leaks Online: Listen|author=Billboard Staff|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=September 15, 2013|date=September 15, 2013}} and was therefore premiered a day earlier than scheduled. A clean version of the song, titled "Work Work" has also been released.{{cite web|title=Work Work (Clean Version): Britney Spears: MP3 Downloads|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FA6CXCW|publisher=Amazon.com|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=October 10, 2013}} A CD single of the song was released in Germany on October 18, 2013.

{{Listen

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|description= A 23-second sample of the song, where Spears sings over an EDM-influenced strong club beat. Critics noted that it "features mostly spoken lyrics, [and] serves as a testament to the fine things a strong work ethic can bring about".

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"Work Bitch" was written by Spears with will.i.am and Anthony Preston, and features a beat from DJ Otto Knows. Knows is managed by Swedish House Mafia member Sebastian Ingrosso, who also received a songwriting credit; however, Ingrosso revealed he did not write the lyrics.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5694976/sebastian-ingrosso-on-britney-spears-new-single-i-didnt-write-it|title=Sebastian Ingrosso on Britney Spears' New Single: 'I Didn't Write It!'|last=McCarthy|first=Zel|date=September 12, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2013|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}} "Work Bitch" is an EDM song written in common time in the key of E minor,{{Cite web|last1=Britney|first1=Spears|last2=Otto|first2=Jettman|last3=Anthony|first3=Preston|last4=William|first4=Adams|last5=Sebastian|first5=Ingrosso|last6=Ruth-Anne|first6=Cunningham|last7=Britney|first7=Spears|date=November 7, 2013|title=Work Bitch|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0126814|access-date=June 8, 2021|website=Musicnotes.com}} at a tempo of 128 beats per minute, wherein Spears, repeatedly exhorts "bitches" to "get to work".{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/15/work-bitch-leaks-britney-spears-release_n_3930424.html|title='Work B**ch' Leaks Ahead of Britney Spears' Official Release|last=Boardman|first=Madeline|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL}} It starts with a basic club beat, with a monotone taunting chorus: "You want a hot body? / You want a Bugatti? / You want a Maserati? / You better work bitch!" Spears alludes to the luxuries she has attained due to her strong work ethic: "You want a Lamborghini? / Sip martinis? / Look hot in a bikini? / You better work bitch!" and "You wanna live fancy? / Live in a big mansion? / Party in France?"

According to Miriam Coleman of Rolling Stone, it "features mostly spoken lyrics, [and] serves as a testament to the fine things a strong work ethic can bring about".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/britney-spears-releases-work-bitch-early-after-track-leaks-20130915|title=Britney Spears Releases 'Work Bitch' Early After Track Leaks|last=Coleman|first=Mirriam|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2013}} Idolator contributor Christina Lee thought that the song "sounds like the lights-out after-party" to RuPaul's 1993 debut single "Supermodel (You Better Work)".{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/7484328/britney-spears-work-bitch|title=Britney Spears' "Work Bitch" Hits The Web Early: Listen To The Club Banger That Works (Bitch)|last=Lee|first=Christina|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2013|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)}} will.i.am commented that the song "is a reflection of Britney moreso than [Britney Jean]. The album is what the album is, but we felt that song needed to come out to keep the foundation on what Britney represents. But it shouldn't reflect the album—an album is a body of work as a collective. If we had to pick a song like, 'Oh, what song fits every color of the record,' you shouldn't do that… We felt that song represents 'Piece of Me', that Britney oomph."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5755398/william-work-bitch-reflects-britney-spears-more-than-her-new-album|title=Will.i.am: 'Work Bitch' Reflects Britney Spears More Than Her New Album|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=October 25, 2013|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}}

A writer for Billboard described the track as a "full-on club banger with Spears giving fans the secret to her success". Writing for MuuMuse, Bradley Stern complimented the song as a "thrilling, thunderously bold slice of forward-thinking dance-pop".{{cite web|url=http://www.muumuse.com/2013/09/daily-b-britney-spears-work-bitch-single-review.html/|title=Britney Spears, "Work Bitch": A Complete Breakdown of Britney's New Single|first=Bradley |last=Stern|publisher=MuuMuse|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013}} A reviewer for Popjustice called the track "amazing", and suggested that the lyrical content "has the right attitude for a Blackout 2.0 sort of album".{{cite web|url=http://www.popjustice.com/briefing/world-exclusive-first-review-of-the-new-britney-spears-single-work-bitch/119889/|title=World Exclusive First Review of the New Britney Spears Single 'Work Bitch'|publisher=PopJustice|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013}} Michael Cragg from The Guardian felt that "Work Bitch" is a "pretty relentless onslaught that reflects pop's current love for chucking in everything up to and including the kitchen sink", but felt that Spears' personality "[made] sure she hasn't been fully obliterated by will.i.am's production sledgehammer".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/sep/16/britney-spears-work-bitch|title=Britney Spears – Work Bitch: New music|first=Michael|last=Cragg|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013}} Chris Eggertsen from HitFix called that it was a "perfect club track", but questioned how it would perform on mainstream radio.{{cite news|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/britney-spears-new-single-work-bitch-is-built-for-the-club-listen#gsUcqDuuzdvSUQJS.99|title=Britney Spears' new single 'Work Bitch' is built for the club: Listen |first=Chris |last=Eggertsen|work=HitFix|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013}} However, Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine gave a negative review for the song, opining that it "follows the current EDM model of painfully aggressive, treble-heavy beats, harsh synths, and tuneless hooks, but makes even 'Scream & Shout' sound like a melodic feast".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2013/15/single-review-britney-spears-work-bitch|title=Single Review: Britney Spears, "Work Bitch"|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013}} Caryb Ganz of Rolling Stone noted that "will.i.am draws up the perfect nü-Britney blueprint: a squelchy thumper that's light on singing and heavy on hilarious directives barked in an English accent... Blasts of clubby synths do most of the work, while Britney winks at the world".{{cite magazine|author=Caryn Ganz|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/work-bitch-20130924|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925171655/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/work-bitch-20130924|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2013|title=Britney Spears, Work Bitch | Song Reviews|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013}} About.com writer Bill Lamb called the single forward thinking and gave the single praise, stating, "This is a single that is pushing boundaries and will likely feel more exhilarating each time you listen".{{cite web|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Britney-Spears-work-B-ch.htm|title=Britney Spears - "Work B**ch!"|first=Bill|last=Lamb|publisher=About.com|date=September 15, 2013|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921232505/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Britney-Spears-work-B-ch.htm|url-status=dead}}

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 12, marking Spears' 31st song on the chart and the fifth highest debut of her career on the chart, and her seventh in the top 20. It also marked Spears' 19th top 20 single and overall her 23rd top 40 single. It also entered the top 10 on the Hot Digital Songs chart at number six. "Work Bitch" sold 174,000 copies in its first week,{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-sept-22-2013-songs-brit-back-204122521.html|title=Week Ending Sept. 22, 2013. Songs: The Brit Is Back|publisher=Music.yahoo.com|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013}} marking Spears' highest first-week sales since her 2011 number-one single "Hold It Against Me".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5725173/jack-johnson-scores-fourth-no-1-album-on-billboard-200|title=Jack Johnson Scores Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013}} With its debut on the Mainstream Top 40 at number 25, the song marks Spears' 31st chart entry, pushing her past Mariah Carey (30) for the second-most entries to the chart's October 3, 1992, launch.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5719511/chart-highlights-britney-spears-bows-katy-perry-lady-gaga-leap-to-no-1|title=Chart Highlights: Britney Spears Bows, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga Leap To No. 1|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}} In its second week, the song fell to number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The following week, it climbed back to number 13 after the release of the accompanying music video. As of July 2016, "Work Bitch" has sold 967,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7439077/ask-billboard-britney-spears-career-sales-how-big-a-hit-will/|title=Ask Billboard: Britney Spears' Career Sales & How Big a Hit Will 'Make Me' Be?|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=July 17, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 17, 2016|archive-date=July 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718143046/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7439077/ask-billboard-britney-spears-career-sales-how-big-a-hit-will|url-status=live}}

In the United Kingdom, "Work Bitch" debuted and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart on November 10, 2013 – for the week ending date November 16, 2013 – falling 30 places to number 37 the following week. The song also peaked at number two on the UK Dance Chart.

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="A lot of sex goes into what I do. But sometimes I would like to bring it back to the old days when there was like one outfit through the whole video, and you're dancing the whole video, and there's like not that much sex stuff going on. It's about the dance and it's about being old school, it's like keeping it real and just making it about the dance. I'd love to do a video like that"|source=—Spears discussing her creative control over the music video.}}

The music video for "Work Bitch" was shot by Ben Mor, who had previously worked on the video for Spears and will.i.am's 2012 single, "Scream & Shout".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714637/britney-spears-work-bitch-ben-mor.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130927222953/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714637/britney-spears-work-bitch-ben-mor.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2013|title=Britney Spears Is 'About To Show All These Bitches How It's Done'|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=MTV News (MTV Networks)|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}} The visual effects for the music video were provided by HOAX Films, who completed sky replacements shots, set extensions and cleanup.{{cite web|url=http://www.shootonline.com/go/index.php?name=Release&op=view&id=rs-web3-5753521-1380903624-2|title=HOAX Films Delivers VFX for Britney Spears' "Work Bitch"|date=October 4, 2013|access-date=October 6, 2013|publisher=Shootonline.com. DCA Business Media LLC}} It is produced for Black Dog Films/Little Minx, executive producer Coleen Haynes and producer Tony McGarry. Spears revealed she was rehearsing for something "top secret next week", on August 29.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a510696/britney-spears-teases-top-secret-rehearsals-for-new-music-video.html|title=Spears teasers "top secret" rehearsal for new music video?|last=Rigby|first=Sam|publisher=Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK)|access-date=September 12, 2013|date=August 29, 2013}} Filming took place in Malibu, California, on September 7, 8, 9 and 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-09-09/britney-spears-on-the-set-of-new-music-video-work-bitch/|title=Britney Spears on the Set of New Music Video, 'Work Bitch'|date=September 7, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|publisher=Celebuzz (Buzz Media)}} On the first day, Spears tweeted, "Hot day on set... ;) A little dirty, little flirty, danced my ASS off. Stoked for tomorrow!" following the tweet up with a still of herself in a yellow and black bra with long, black gloves. Spears released a sneak peek of the video on September 26, 2013, through her Instagram account.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7486349/britney-spears-work-bitch-video-third-photo|title=Britney Spears Teases 'Work Bitch' Video for a Third Time With New Video Clip|last=Bowman|first=Patrick|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)}} The full version of the music video premiered on October 1 on The CW Television Network, during the second day broadcast of the iHeartRadio Music Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7486498/britney-spears-work-bitch-video-premiere|title=Britney Spears Will Debut Her "Work Bitch" Video on Tuesday, October 1|last=Wass|first=Mike|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)}}

Spears revealed that the video was supposed to have more sexual scenes; however, she edited many scenes out "because I am a mother and because, you know, I have children, and it's just hard to play sexy mom while you're being a pop star as well. I just have to be true to myself and you know, feel it out when I do stuff."{{cite web|url=http://1033ampradio.cbslocal.com/2013/10/03/britney-spears-a-lot-of-sex-goes-into-what-i-do/|title=Britney Spears: 'A Lot Of Sex Goes Into What I Do'|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|publisher=103.3 AMP Radio (CBS Radio)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003120619/http://1033ampradio.cbslocal.com/2013/10/03/britney-spears-a-lot-of-sex-goes-into-what-i-do/|archive-date=October 3, 2013|url-status=dead}} Mor replied to the singer's comment, saying he never forced or made her do anything she didn't want to during the shoot, and continued, "she's in complete control the whole time. It was easy to make a racier cut only because of the extras and the cutaways, and that's it".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715064/britney-spears-work-bitch-director-ben-mor-interview.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008012601/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715064/britney-spears-work-bitch-director-ben-mor-interview.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2013|title=Britney Spears' Director Never 'Forced' Her To Over-Sex 'Work Bitch'|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 6, 2013|publisher=MTV. MTV Networks}} Spears manager Larry Rudolph and father Jamie Spears also released a statement, revealing that "Britney is never pressured into anything. She reviews all creative and for her 'Work Bitch' video she discussed toning down some parts in finding a balance of sexy and being a mom."{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/britney-spears-implies-shes-being-pressured-to-keep-sexed-up-image|title=Britney Spears implies she's being pressured to keep sexed-up image|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 6, 2013|publisher=Fox News. Fox Entertainment Group}} The original airing of the premiere in the United States was viewed by 1.09 million viewers and received a Nielsen rating of 0.4/1 in the key adults 18–49 demographic, up 33 percent from the previous night.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/02/tv-ratings-tuesday-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-the-goldbergs-trophy-wife-lucky-7-tumble-chicago-fire-rises/206349/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005075317/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/10/02/tv-ratings-tuesday-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-the-goldbergs-trophy-wife-lucky-7-tumble-chicago-fire-rises/206349/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013|title=TV Ratings Tuesday: 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.', 'The Goldbergs', 'Trophy Wife' & 'Lucky 7' Tumble, 'Chicago Fire' Rises|last=Bibel|first=Sarah|publisher=TV by the Numbers. Zap2it|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}}

Planet Hollywood reported that the music video's total production and editing costs amounted to $6.5 million, as stipulated by the contract Spears signed in her residency requirements, which may have made it the second-most-expensive music video of all time.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-music-videos-2014-1#2-britney-spears-work-b--2013--65-million-13|title=The Most Expensive Music Videos Of All Time|website=Business Insider|access-date=July 17, 2018|date=January 20, 2014}} Upon the reporting, director Ben Mor refuted all claims on the production costs.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a520934/britney-spears-work-bitch-director-ben-mor-lashes-out-at-copying-claims/|title=Britney Spears 'Work Bitch' director Ben Mor lashes out at copying claims|website=Digital Spy|access-date=July 7, 2018|date=October 3, 2013}}

File:Work Bitch.png, and channels the erotic romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey. Music video networks in the United Kingdom were prohibited from airing the video before 10 p.m., for displaying bondage-esque scenes.]]

Mor said the video is not story-based as Spears' previous videos, but it has "more of a theme ... rather than a narrative. This one is basically [saying] 'The queen is back and she's about to show all these bitches how it's done.' It's her being really fierce and taking back her throne in a way." The video opens with several intercalated shots of the singer, who portrays a dominatrix, and her dancers in front of a pool, a car, and in the middle of the desert.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5740739/britney-spears-debuts-steamy-work-bitch-video-watch|title=Britney Spears Debuts Steamy 'Work Bitch' Video: Watch|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|magazine=Billboard}} Spears is seen at the top of Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino dancing.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/britney-spears-goes-back-her-641590|title=Britney Spears Goes Back to Her Old Ways in 'Work Bitch' Video|last=Schillaci|first=Sophie|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}} Bruna Nessif of E! Online compared the video to the erotic romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey, mentioning the singer "whipping some woman ... and using a riding crop".{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/465668/britney-spears-work-bitch-music-video-is-full-of-whips-tiny-outfits-dance-breaks-yes|title=Britney Spears' "Work Bitch" Music Video Is Full of Whips, Tiny Outfits & Dance Breaks (Yes!)|last=Nessif|first=Bruna|publisher=E! Online|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}} Product placement for Spears' fragrance Fantasy and Beats Pill wireless speakers (being used as a bit gag) can also be seen.

Bruna Nessif of E! Online praised the singer's figure, saying the video is "everything Britney Spears fans could want and more", adding, "There is just so much going on, we don't even know where to start! But how about Brit's bangin' body? Yes, let's start there." Mike Wass of Idolator compared the desert scenes to the ones of Ciara's "Got Me Good" (2012), and wrote, "not only does [Spears] look absolutely gorgeous in an array of skimpy outfits, there's some life in her eyes and, dare I say it, a spring in her step".{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7487078/britney-spears-work-bitch-video|title=Britney Spears Comes To Life In 'Work Bitch': Watch The Glossy Video|last=Wass|first=Mike|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}} The Hollywood Reporter contributor Sophie Schillaci thought the video was a return to Spears' early 2000s, comparing it to "I'm a Slave 4 U" (2001) and "My Prerogative" (2004). A reviewer for Fuse called the video a "sleek and sexy" return to form, while Ryan Roschke of PopSugar commented that "even though the premise of the video is a little unclear, we're going to go ahead and give Brit an 'A' for 'Abs.'"{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7487109/britney-spears-work-bitch-video-review-revue|title=Britney Spears' "Work Bitch" Music Video: Review Revue|last=Willot|first=Carl|publisher=Idolator (Buzz Media)|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}} Similarly, Sharnaz Shahid of Entertainment Wise thought "the pop princess oozes sex appeal" and "is back to her old provocative ways".

Jocelyn Vena of MTV felt Mor "wasn't lying" when he said the video would show a more adult side of Spears, and argued the clip proves the singer is "ready for her next era to launch".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714915/britney-spears-work-bitch-video.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000253/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714915/britney-spears-work-bitch-video.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2013|title=Britney Spears Busts Out Whips And S&M In 'Work Bitch' Video: Watch Now!|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|publisher=MTV News (MTV Networks)}} Samantha Highfill from Entertainment Weekly described the video as a prequel to Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)", saying that it had similar desert setting, "sexy" clothes, wavy hair, wild animals and both are all-female dance numbers. She further viewed Spears' video as "offensive to women" but concluded that "However, the more I thought about the songs and watched the videos, the more I realized that even though Beyoncé's song is all about the power of women, Britney's is too. Sure, Britney is a little more blunt in finding a way to, er, 'encourage' women to work hard, but the song is about the fact that women can and should work hard and find success."{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/10/02/britney-spears-beyonce-work-bitch-run-the-world/|title=PopWatch Is Britney Spears' 'Work Bitch' video the prequel to Beyonce's 'Run the World (Girls)'?|last=Highfill|first=Samantha|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 10, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Warner}} A mixed review came from HitFix's Melinda Newman, who wasn't too impressed with the production, noting, however, that Spears' "dancing has certainly improved" and that "it's clear that she's definitely doing so much better than she was just a few years ago".{{cite news|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/britney-spears-in-a-kitten-with-a-whip-in-work-bitch-video#~oje7ypO7riKr9h|title=Britney Spears is a kitten with a whip in 'Work Bitch' video|last=Newman|first=Melinda|date=October 2, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|work=HitFix}} In the United Kingdom, the music video was banned from airing on music video networks before 10{{nbsp}}pm, for displaying "a number of risqué scenes featuring bondage gear and Spears whipping her dancers".{{cite web|title=Britney Spears 'Work Bitch' video 'banned on UK TV before 10pm'|last=Joannou|first=Andy|access-date=October 3, 2013|date=October 3, 2013|publisher=Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK)|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a520705/britney-spears-work-bitch-video-banned-on-uk-tv-before-10pm.html}} The country's MTV and The Box networks requested a clean edit of the video to air through the day, as a heavily censored version of the song titled "Work" is also available. This music video was Vevo certified on March 16, 2014, becoming Spears' fourth Vevo certified clip.

File:Britney-Spears-Vegas-July-13-2016-2.jpg show with a performance of "Work Bitch"]]

Spears performed "Work Bitch" as the opening act of her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me (2013–17).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1719668/britney-spears-las-vegas-piece-of-me-opening-night.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228213840/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1719668/britney-spears-las-vegas-piece-of-me-opening-night.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 28, 2013|title=Britney Spears Pours On 'Cheese' (And Glitter) For 'Piece of Me' Las Vegas Kickoff|last=Schillaci|first=Sophie|date=December 28, 2013|access-date=December 28, 2013|work=MTV News}} The performance begins with the singer "descending from the sky in a globe-like cage". After exiting the cage, she performs the choreography from the music video, accompanied by 16 alien-masked dancers.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/12/28/britney-spears-piece-of-me-debut/4220807/|title=Britney Spears' 'Piece of Me' changes residency tune|date=December 28, 2013|access-date=December 28, 2013|last=Cava|first=Marco della|work=USA Today}} Spears sports a "skin-tight, sequined bodysuit" for the performance, similar to the diamond outfit she wore during the "Toxic" music video (2004).{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Britney Spears' Hits-Filled 'Piece of Me' Show Opens in Las Vegas: Live Review|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5855045/britney-spears-hits-filled-piece-of-me-show-opens-in-las-vegas|magazine=Billboard|date=December 28, 2013|access-date=December 28, 2013}} Keith Caulfield of Billboard said "Spears was particularly energetic in the number, which seemed to delight the crowd". Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone considered it the best moment of the concert, noting that "Spears stomped around the stage with authority and nailed her choreography, setting a hopeful tone for the night".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/britney-spears-in-las-vegas-5-best-and-5-saddest-moments-20131228|title=Britney Spears in Las Vegas: 5 Best and 5 Saddest Moments|last=Ganz|first=Caryn|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 28, 2013|access-date=December 28, 2013}} On May 22, 2016, Spears performed the song in a medley of her greatest hits at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/7378375/britney-spears-medley-billboard-music-awards-2016|title = Britney Spears Performs Hit-Filled Medley at 2016 Billboard Music Awards|magazine = Billboard}} It was also the opening number at Spears's set on the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 24,{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/news/britney-spears-performs-in-pigtails-at-iheartradio-festival-2016-w441896|title=Britney Spears Performs in Pigtails at iHeartRadio Festival 2016|date=September 25, 2016|website=usmagazine.com|access-date=April 14, 2018}} and on the 2016 Apple Music Festival on September 27, 2016.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} The song was also streamed live along with "Toxic" from Spears' final Britney: Piece of Me show date on December 31, 2017, on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve to an audience of 25.6 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8085895/dick-clark-new-years-rockin-eve-ratings-year-top-music-special|title=Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest Bests Grammys as 2017's Top Music Special|website=billboard.com|access-date=April 14, 2018}}

On October 14, 2013, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and her dance partner Sasha Farber performed "Work Bitch" on the season 17 of Dancing with the Stars. Polizzi explained that the performance was "a celebration of me being a mother, a woman, a new person, and working seven days a week to provide a great life for my family".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s92/dancingwiththestars/news/a523487/dwts-snooki-inspired-by-son-this-week-performing-to-work-bitch.html|title='DWTS' Snooki inspired by son this week, performing to 'Work Bitch'|date=October 14, 2013|publisher=Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK)|access-date=October 21, 2013|last=Wightman|first=Caroline}}

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• CD single

1. "Work Bitch" – 4:07
2. "Work Bitch" (Instrumental) – 4:07

• Digital download

1. "Work Bitch" – 4:07

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• Clean digital download

1. "Work Work" – 4:07

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of the "Work Bitch" CD single.

Recording

• Recorded and engineered at KBK Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
• Mixed at Record Plant, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Vocals recorded and engineered at Glenwood Studio, Burbank, California, U.S.

Personnel

{{div col begin}}

• Britney Spears – lead vocals and backing vocals, songwriter
• will.i.am – songwriter, executive producer, producer, vocal producer, guest vocals and backing vocals
• Otto Knows – songwriter, producer, instrumentation, programming, recording, engineer
• Sebastian Ingrosso – songwriter, producer, instrumentation, programming, recording, engineer
• Anthony Preston – songwriter, vocal producer, backing vocals
• Ruth-Anne Cunningham – songwriter
• Myah Marie – backing vocals
• Joe Peluso – mixer
• Julian Prindle – vocal recording, vocal engineer
• Jacob Dennis – assistant vocal engineer
• Chris Kahn – assistant vocal engineer

{{div col end}}

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{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2013|award=Gold|access-date=October 26, 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|award=Platinum|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work Bitch|relyear=2013|award=Gold|access-date=January 10, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|access-date=November 5, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Work Bitch|artist=Britney Spears|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2015|source=radioscope|access-date=December 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea (Gaon)|nocert=yes|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|relyear=2013|title=Work Bitch|salesamount=43,788|salesref={{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/download.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=¤t_month=1¤t_week=06&chart_Time=year |title=Online download – 2013 Year End Chart – 2013 |publisher=Gaon Music Chart |language=ko |id=To view sales from September and October 2013, select "2013년 9월" and "2013년 10월", respectively. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222075642/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/download.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=¤t_month=1¤t_week=06&chart_Time=year |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work Bitch|relyear=2013|award=Platinum|certref={{cite web | url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/artdata?dfom=20141003&sart=3469046 | title=Britney Spears - Work Bitch| publisher=Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening | access-date=December 24, 2014 | language=sv | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810170326/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/artdata?dfom=20141003&sart=3469046 | archive-date=August 10, 2017 | url-status=dead}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Britney Spears

|title=Work Bitch|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|id=15175-1064-1|access-date=November 3, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work Bitch|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|access-date=October 24, 2023}}

{{certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|certyear=2014|relyear=2012|artist=Britney Spears|title=Work Bitch|award=Gold|type=single|certmonth=2|streamsonly=true|id=5747|access-date=November 5, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streamsonly=true|streaming=true}}

• List of most expensive music videos

{{Reflist}}

{{Britney Spears songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2013 singles

Category:Britney Spears songs

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by will.i.am

Category:Songs written by Anthony Preston (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Britney Spears

Category:Songs written by Otto Knows

Category:Songs written by RuthAnne

Category:Songs written by Sebastian Ingrosso

Category:Songs written by will.i.am

Category:2013 songs

Category:American electronic dance music songs