Song: “Work” (click here for lyrics)
Artist: Rihanna
Overall Message:
〉This song is about how Rihanna is wanting a partner that seems to only want the sexual part of a relationship. She refers to this as “work” throughout the song.
Analyzing the Lyrics:
〉Stereotypical Feminine Traits
- Submissive: “He said me haffi work, work, work, work, work, work so me put in work, work, work, work, work”
- These lyrics are referring to how Rihanna’s lover is telling her to put in work, so she does. By telling her what to do, it makes her the submissive one. As mentioned previously “work” is referencing sexual activity.
- Desperate/Reliant: “Don’t leave me stuck here in the streets”
- This is implying that she needs her lover to want her back. Saying that she doesn’t want to be left in the streets is showing that she is in a bad place but needs her lover to pull her out of it. She is desperate for her lover and is becoming reliant.
〉Counterstereotypical Feminine Traits
- With there being a lot of repetition in this song, it was difficult to pull out any possible counterstereotypical traits. The entirety of the song revolves around sexual activity and how Rihanna appears to be the submissive one.
Stay tuned for the next post on…Taylor Swift!
Shared by: Emily Calewarts
Image Credit: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/rihanna-drake-work-video