The song "Werk" by Jasmine Villegas is a confident and empowering anthem about demanding respect and effort from a romantic partner. The lyrics convey a message of self-worth and not settling for anything less than what one deserves in a relationship. The song begins by stating that the protagonist will not entertain any advances from someone who is involved with multiple other people. The person who wants to pursue her needs to go above and beyond the usual expectations. She emphasizes that her time is valuable and she won't tolerate any games or being treated too comfortably. She declares that if someone wants to hold her or be close to her, they must be the only person in the room and dedicate their attention solely to her. She demands that her partner give her their everything and be completely committed to her. The chorus repeats the phrase "If you really want me" which indicates that the protagonist is not easily won over. She requires responsibility, effort, and dedication from her partner. It takes a lot of confidence and determination to bring her to her knees. The term "elbow grease" is used to convey the idea that hard work and effort are necessary to truly win her over. The hook of the song, "You betta werk," is a phrase commonly used in the LGBTQ+ community to encourage someone to work hard and show their best performance. It serves as a reminder to the person pursuing the protagonist that they need to step up their game and put in the effort if they truly want to be with her. Throughout the song, there is a theme of not settling for mediocrity and not being afraid to demand what one deserves. The protagonist is portrayed as confident, strong, and unapologetic about her expectations in a relationship. In summary, "Werk" by Jasmine Villegas is a song about self-worth, demanding effort and respect from a romantic partner, and not settling for anything less than what one deserves. It encourages individuals to embrace their value and not be afraid to ask for what they want in a relationship.
