" Work It Out " garnered generally positive reviews from critics , most of whom complemented the 1960s and 1970s funk tone featured on the song . While reviewing the '' Austin Powers in Goldmember '' s soundtrack album , Josh Tyrangiel , writing for '' Entertainment Weekly '' , gave the song a negative review stating that it was " all shimmy and innuendo " . However , while reviewing the single , Craig Seymour of the same publication awarded the song a grade of an A - , calling the track a " funky debut solo tune " and further stating that the song also proves that Beyoncé , best known " for riding poppy staccato beats , can get deep into a groove " . Mark Anthony Neal of '' PopMatters '' recognized the success of Destiny 's Child and credited it to Beyoncé , stating , " Beyoncé , first stepped out on the solo trip in support of her role as Foxxy Cleopatra in '' Austin Powers : Gold Member . '' " " Work It Out " indicated to Neal that Beyoncé was " ready to shed the ' but I 'm still not yet a woman ' vibe that 's earned Destiny 's Child multi-platinum status . " The song was considered a " good moment " on the film 's soundtrack album by AllMusics writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine . Erlewine called it " excellent " and favored it over the tracks of '' Survivor '' ( 2001 ) , Destiny 's Child 's previous album . Although considered a great transition for Beyoncé , '' Vibe '' disagreed , stating that the song debuted a tepid beginning for Beyoncé , who had high anticipations for a solo-career . Contactmusic.com named the contributions by Beyoncé on the movie 's soundtrack as a highlight of the album . Rob Boss of Walmart called Beyoncé " alluring " while reviewing her performance on the soundtrack and comparing it to her performance in the movie itself . Dismissing Beyoncé 's acting by stating " she should stick to singing and leave the acting to the actors , " Boss called her performance on the song intense and stated that the opening track " Work It Out " was a reason enough to include Beyoncé in the film . Rob Fitzpatrick of '' New Musical Express '' gave the song a mixed to positive review , writing that it sounds not only like a perfect imitation or replication of classic funk , but also like a derivation of various other sources and motifs . John Mulvey , writing for the same magazine , considered " Work It Out " to be the best tune Beyoncé had recorded since " Say My Name " ( 2000 ) , and he further commented , " it 's Beyoncé yowling , testifying and wigging out in only slightly-studied retro fashion that 's most striking . " '' Spin '' magazine included the song on two separate lists of admiration . The first was a playlist of songs that " you need to know " , and " Work It Out " was placed at number five for songs to download . The other list included the song on a list of " must-have Beyoncé songs " . In addition to being included on lists , '' Vibe '' magazine included the song on a " Vibraters " list which named a number of songs that were on '' Vibe '' - staff 's current playlists and stated the song was " her true destiny " . Yancey Strickler of '' Flak Magazine '' wrote that in " Work It Out " , Beyoncé sounds like Pam Grier " taking five from the revolution to let her afro down . Loose and funky ( apologies for the overused terminology there , but ' Work It Out ' practically defines it ) , the tune was Beyoncé declaring , ' I am woman , hear you drool . ' Self-assured and immune to any of that tired old guff , she 's out-of-Huey-Newton 's - league untouchable . " Following the song 's 2002 release , it was included during many post-2003 award ceremonies . During the 2003 Black Reel Awards , the song was nominated in the category Best Original or Adapted Song . However , the song lost to Erykah Badu and Common 's " Love of My Life ( Ode to Hip-Hop ) " from the film '' Brown Sugar ''
2003 Black Reel Awards
Black Reel Awards of 2003
Work It Out (Beyoncé song)