Analysis

Work

Rihanna · Rihanna

16+
Verdict
Listen first

Racial slur, sexual innuendo, alcohol references

Detailed Analysis

These are the lyrics to 'Work' by Rihanna featuring Drake. The song contains several concerns for younger audiences. There is use of a racial slur ('niggas'), a reference to alcohol/getting intoxicated ('How many more shots until you're rolling?'), and suggestive sexual undertones — particularly in lines like 'You need to get done, done, done, done at work, come over' and 'don't give that away to no one,' which carry implied sexual availability and innuendo. The phrase 'rollin'' alongside the shots reference implies intoxication. The overall themes center on a complex romantic/sexual relationship, emotional manipulation, and longing. The Jamaican Patois throughout can obscure some meaning but does not eliminate the mature undertones. The explicit racial slur alone warrants a teen-and-above rating, and the sexual innuendo reinforces a minimum age of 16.

Themes

relationship conflict

sexual innuendo

emotional longing

alcohol references

explicit language

dedication

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Lyrics

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 Mmm-mmm 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 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 have 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 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 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 Mmm-mmm-mmm Mmm-mmm-mmm Work, work, work, work, work, work Mmm-mmm-mmm


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Analysis performed on September 24, 2026