Work This Body
"Work This Body" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Walk the Moon | ||||
from the album Talking Is Hard | ||||
Released | February 23, 2016 | |||
Recorded | Rancho Pagzilla (North Hollywood, California) | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:55 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Tim Pagnotta | ||||
Walk the Moon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Work This Body" on YouTube |
"Work This Body" is a song by American
"Work This Body" was met with mostly positive reviews from
Background and composition
"Work This Body" was written by all four members of Walk the Moon with
According to the song's sheet music published by
Lyrically, the song's chorus encourages one to work their own body until they beat everyone else fair and square, with Ray commenting on how its title could be interpreted as "a direct invitation to exercise".[8][13] Petricca stated that "Work This Body" is a song about "getting [his] ass in shape and standing up to [his] fears".[14] He explained in an interview with The Irish Times that its message is connected with "being unafraid [of] chas[ing] your dreams and go[ing] after what you really want". Petricca added that the song acts like "the soundtrack to [the band] trying to beat" their global hit "Shut Up and Dance".[15] Guitarist Eli Maiman said that the song also deals with one "going beyond [their] perceived limitations" and utilizing "maybe jealousy or feelings of someone else getting something that [they] want to motivate [them] rather than letting it get [themselves] down".[16] Certain lines throughout "Work This Body" are sung in French, consisting of: "Que ferais-tu? Putain, je ne sais pas! Ne viens pas pleurer vers moi."[17]
Release and reception
"Work This Body" was released as the eighth track of Walk the Moon's second major-label studio album Talking Is Hard.
"Work This Body" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. James Christopher Monger of AllMusic highlighted "Work This Body" as a track pick from the Talking Is Hard album.[18] Kenneth Patridge of Billboard magazine wrote that the band "certainly knows how to start a party" with "Work This Body" and says that the song "lives up to its title [by] hit[ting] listeners with a groove that forces them to shut up and dance".[6] The staff of BigFM referred to it as "a real summer hit" that "not only ensure[s] a good mood, but also uncontrolled wiggling and fidgeting of all limbs".[24] SFGate's Kimberly Chun commended the song's hook for being "frenetic yet effortless-sounding".[25] Anthony Sorendino of AbsolutePunk called the track "fun" and "bouncy" and that it "will probably end up in a Biggest Loser or Planet Fitness commercial".[2] Chris DeVille of Stereogum said that "it's pretty wild to hear" a song like "Work This Body" "become top-40 pop", which he characterized as "late-aughts blog fodder".[10] The Village Voice's Jill Menze said that "Work This Body" is "a tune that hopped on the Vampire Weekend revival train a few years too late".[26]
Commercial performance
After its release to alternative radio, "Work This Body" debuted at number 37 on the US Billboard
Music video
The music video for "Work This Body" was shot by Andre Lascaris in Los Angeles, California.[34] It was co-directed by the band with Isaac Rentz and produced by production company More Media.[14][35] According to music and tour photographer Anna Lee, the video's creative process and back-end production took over 12 hours to complete.[34] Multiple short videos showing each member of Walk the Moon donning their outfits were posted to the band's social media accounts a day prior to the video's release.[36] Petricca mentioned how the video is "a little nudge to the skeptic that there really are superheroes among us".[14] Maiman added that the song's meaning translates to the video as "th[e] kid using superheroes as inspiration to stand up to bullies".[16] The clip premiered exclusively on Entertainment Weekly's website on February 12, 2016.[14]
The video shows a boy at a school's talent show (dressed up as Petricca) who "ditches staples like dancing or magic tricks" and instead "starts a revolution with a lunchbox" by initiating a massive food fight among his classmates in the cafeteria. The kid ends up winning the talent show and earns the admiration of his school by the end of the video. Meanwhile, the band "rocks some retro superhero duds" while performing the song "against an '80s CGI background".[14][37][38] MTV's Sasha Green described that the video "is full of retro flair".[37] Regarding the video's imagery throughout Walk the Moon's performance, Green wrote that the band looked as if they were "stomping around on the set of Tron or inside an Asteroids arcade game", while Capital FM said it takes place "in some sort of 80s video game utopia".[37][38]
Live performances and use in other media
"Work This Body" was included on the setlist of Walk the Moon's Talking Is Hard Tour (2015).
In 2016, Billboard partnered with Zumba to create a fitness routine playlist of 15 pop songs to work out to, which included "Work This Body".[6] That same year, Walk the Moon teamed up with Zumba to create a choreography video for the song, starring "two dancers at a roller rink who wear fluorescent, 1980s-style Zumba workout gear".[47] Billboard's Colin Stutz wrote that the video showcases them "grooving to the catchy tune, encouraging fans to get moving and try it for themselves at their next Zumba class or at home".[48] The band's manager Michael McDonald said that none of the four members have ever taken a Zumba class and "didn't consider appearing in the video"; instead, "they just wanted to tap into Zumba's devoted following".[47]
Track listing
- Digital download[49]
- "Work This Body" – 2:57
- Digital download – Live[21]
- "Work This Body" (Live) – 4:08
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Talking Is Hard.[1]
- Locations
- Recorded at Rancho Pagzilla, North Hollywood, California
- Mixed at The Casita, Hollywood, California
- Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City
- Personnel
- Nick Petricca – vocals, keyboards, percussion, programming, songwriting
- Kevin Ray – bass, vocals, songwriting
- Sean Waugaman – percussion, vocals, songwriting
- Eli Maiman – guitar, vocals, programming, songwriting
- John Ryan– songwriting
- Ben Berger – vocal production
- Ryan McMahon – vocal production
- Jarett Holmes – programming, recording, digital editing
- Tim Pagnotta – production, recording
- Brian Phillips – digital editing
- Allen Casillas – digital editing
- Ryan Gillmore – digital editing
- Mauro Rubbi – drum technician
- Blake Mares – assistant engineer
- Robert Cohen – assistant engineer
- Neal Avron – mixing
- Scott Skrzynski – mixing assistant
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scotland (OCC)[33] | 87 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[32] | 100 |
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[29] | 34 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | February 19, 2016 | Digital download | Live | [21] | |
United States | February 23, 2016 | Alternative radio
|
Original | [23] |
References
- ^ a b c Talking Is Hard (inlay cover). Walk the Moon. RCA Records. 2014. p. 16.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d Sorendino, Anthony. "Walk the Moon – Talking Is Hard – Album Review". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Leo (January 25, 2016). "Walk the Moon". Joy 94.9. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Schwartz, Alexandra (April 8, 2016). "Walk the Moon Has the Most Danceable Playlist You'll Hear All Weekend—Just for You!". Glamour. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Albums — Jason Matheny Design". Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Patridge, Kenneth (February 2, 2016). "Pop Workout Playlist: 15 Body-Movin' Tunes to Rock Your Fitness Routine". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Walk the Moon 'Work This Body' Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Lloyd, Molly (January 20, 2016). "The Ultimate Get Pumped Playlist for Meets". Swimming World. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Moser, John J. (June 22, 2015). "Review: Walk The Moon is energetic, engaging at Scranton's Fuzz Fest, but Matt & Kim, Andrew McMahon are even better". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ a b DeVille, Chris (February 18, 2016). "The Week In Pop Q&A: The 1975's Matt Healy On His Band's Massive, Adventurous New LP". Stereogum. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Wright, Jade (May 20, 2015). "Albums of the week from Paul Weller, Mariah Carey, Thea Gilmore, Walk on the Moon and Joanna Gruesome". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ Billboard AR (April 12, 2016). "Entrevista a Walk The Moon: 'Tenemos influencias latinas'". Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Dennis (March 25, 2016). "Interview: US-Band Walk the Moon und der Hit mit den Zumba-Moves" [Interview: US band Walk the Moon and the hit with the Zumba moves]. klatsch-tratsch.de. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Bacle, Ariana (February 12, 2016). "See Walk the Moon become superheroes in 'Work This Body' music video — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Lauren (February 15, 2016). "Walk the Moon: how they shut up and danced their way to a global hit". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ a b Leichtfried, Laura (June 11, 2016). "Exclusive Interview: Walk The Moon". Razz Magazine. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Walk The Moon, la révélation de l'été avec 'Shut Up and Dance'" [Walk The Moon, the revelation of summer with 'Shut Up and Dance'] (in French). La Chaîne Info. July 6, 2015. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Monger, James Christopher. "Talking Is Hard – Walk the Moon". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "WALK THE MOON – Shut Up and Dance". October 23, 2014. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ "WALK THE MOON – Work This Body (Le Mix Nouveau) [Audio]". January 19, 2016. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c "WALK THE MOON: Work This Body (Live) – Music". Google Play. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "WALK THE MOON Set to Release Live Album". Alternative Addiction. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ a b "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Hier kommt der nächste Gute-Laune-Hit von 'Walk The Moon'" [Here comes the next good mood hit from 'Walk The Moon'] (in German). BigFM. February 25, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Chun, Kimberly (March 11, 2015). "Synth-pop Walk the Moon band 'not afraid of the chorus'". SFGate. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Menze, Jill (April 15, 2015). "Walk the Moon Scrub off the Neon Face Paint to Perform Talking Is Hard". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Alternative Airplay Chart – The week of March 26, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Alternative Airplay Chart – The week of April 16, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b "Walk the Moon Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "WALK THE MOON | Work This Body Music Video | Los Angeles, CA". Anna Lee Media Blog. May 20, 2016. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Walk the Moon – Work This Body". Sunset Edit. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ Teaser videos for "Work This Body":
- @walkthemoon (February 11, 2016). "WORK THIS BODY – ELI" (Video). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 – via Facebook.
- @walkthemoon (February 11, 2016). "WORK THIS BODY – Sean" (Video). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 – via Facebook.
- @walkthemoon (February 11, 2016). "WORK THIS BODY – Kevin" (Video). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 – via Facebook.
- @walkthemoon (February 11, 2016). "WORK THIS BODY – Nick" (Video). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 – via Facebook.
- ^ a b c Green, Sasha (February 12, 2016). "Walk The Moon Follow Up 'Shut Up And Dance' By Becoming '80s Video Game Characters". MTV. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "Walk The Moon - 'Work This Body'". Capital FM. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- MLive.com. Archivedfrom the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Motsinger, Carol (April 15, 2016). "Cincinnati's Walk the Moon cancels summer tour". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Webb, Eric (October 12, 2016). "Walk the Moon's 12 steps to a perfect ACL Fest set". Austin360. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Walk The Moon – Work This Body (Live on the Honda Stage)". November 18, 2015. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Walk The Moon – Work This Body (Live at New Year's Rockin Eve)". January 5, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (December 8, 2015). "5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy Join One Direction as New Year's Rockin' Eve Performers". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "WALK THE MOON Starts a Food Fight in 'Work This Body' Video". ABC News Radio. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Video: Walk the Moon Perform New Song 'Work This Body' on Late Night". BroadwayWorld. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Karp, Hannah (February 26, 2016). "Zumba Turns Sweat and Shimmy Into Hit Songs". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Stutz, Colin (February 23, 2016). "Walk the Moon Teams With Zumba for 'Work This Body' Choreography Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ "TALKING IS HARD by WALK THE MOON". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2020.