Watch Me Do Explained

Watch Me Do
Type:Promotional single
Artist:Meghan Trainor
Album:Thank You
Genre:Pop
Label:Epic
Producer:Ricky Reed

"Watch Me Do" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her second major-label studio album, Thank You (2016). It was released on March 25, 2016, to digital download platforms by Epic Records as the album's first promotional single. Produced by Ricky Reed, he co-wrote the song with Trainor, Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Gamal Lewis. "Watch Me Do" is a hip hop-influenced pop song, with lyrics about female empowerment. The track received mixed reviews from music critics, with some of them appreciating its empowering theme but others being critical of Trainor's rapping skills. It was performed during Trainor's The Untouchable Tour (2016).[1] [2] [3]

Background and composition

"Watch Me Do" was written by Meghan Trainor along with Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Gamal Lewis and Ricky Reed, with the latter also having produced the song. The song was released as the first promotional single from Trainor's second major-label studio album Thank You (2016), on March 25, 2016, by Epic Records. It is an upbeat, brass-heavy pop track where Trainor references a number of rap songs,[4] containing "90s hip hop throwback vibes" according to MTV News.[5] Colin Stutz of Billboard noted the presence of "swagger" and "groove", and writing "she opens the track singing over a funky drum beat before going on to gloat".[6] Entertainment Weeklys Dana Rose Falcone described it as a "female-empowerment" track, adding that she "peppers her new song with some hip-hop and doesn't play the modesty card".[7]

Music Times Carolyn Menyes described the track as a notable departure from Trainor's previous work, writing "it differs greatly from the doo-wop influences of Trainor's first album and few hit singles" and compared it to the works of Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child.[8] Sam Warner of Digital Spy described it as a "2000s banger", and "a typically Trainor-esque empowering anthem". He likened it to the early work of Britney Spears.[9] Idolator's Carl Williott wrote that Trainor was in "full flaunt mode", adding "she preens over a syncopated synth-horn-snare beat".[10]

Critical reception

"Watch Me Do" received mixed reviews from music critics. Spins Dan Weiss was positive of the song, and compared it to Mark Ronson's work.[11] Entertainment Weeklys Isabella Biedenharn called it one of the best tracks on Thank You, and said that Trainor "brings hip-hop flavor to this booty-shaking banger".[12] Writing for USA Today, Patrick Ryan was positive about "Watch Me Do", stating that it makes clear that Trainor can "successfully do" several genres.[13] Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica called the song "tough-stand", likening it to Destiny's Child's "Independent Women (Part 1)".[14] Bustles Amy Roberts included "I ain't saying I'm the besteses / But I got nice curves, nice breasteses/ I don't erase the textes from my exeses/ All in my DMs, leaving messages" and "I'm the shh, be quiet/ I've been on a low-hater diet" in her list of the most empowering lyrics on Thank You.[15]

Writing for PopMatters, Chris Conaton said that "Watch Me Do" has a "pretty strong" hook and called the James Brown references catchy, but noted that its lyrics shift from "ingénue to braggadocious star".[16] Slant Magazine writer Alexa Camp was critical of the song, saying that it confuses "delusional self-importance with self-worth".[17] Allison Weintraub of The Oklahoma Daily criticized it, describing it as "terrible pseudo-rap", with "weirdly pluralized words".[18] Bustles Mary Grace Garis criticized Trainor's use of the term "nice breasteses", and called "Watch Me Do" one of the weakest tracks on its parent album.[19]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Thank You.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meghan Trainor At L.A.'s Greek Theatre: Self Empowerment Reigns . Ball-Dionne . Caila . July 23, 2016 . . January 9, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170209194831/http://www.idolator.com/7640870/meghan-trainor-greek-theatre-live-concert-review . February 9, 2017 .
  2. Goodman . William . Meghan Trainor: A Retro-Pop Everywoman at Seattle Show . . September 25, 2018 . July 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180925143752/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7439116/meghan-trainor-retro-pop-everywoman-seattle-show . September 25, 2018 .
  3. Craddock . Lauren . Meghan Trainor Performs With James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld Covers Justin Bieber at L.A. Concert . Billboard . September 25, 2018 . July 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180925150938/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7446684/meghan-trainor-performs-with-james-corden-hailee-steinfeld-justin-bieber-greek-theatre-los-angeles . September 25, 2018 .
  4. Web site: Lindner. Emilee. Meghan Trainor's 'Watch Me Do' is a Culmination of Every Rap Cliche Ever. Fuse. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328164121/http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-song. March 28, 2016.
  5. Web site: Geffen. Sasha. Hear Meghan Trainor Assume Her Hip-Hop Alter Ego On 'Watch Me Do'. MTV News. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160327012201/http://www.mtv.com/news/2799349/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do/. March 27, 2016.
  6. Stutz. Colin. Meghan Trainor is All Swagger on New Track 'Watch Me Do'. Billboard. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329040011/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7311480/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do-new-song-thank-you-stream. March 29, 2016.
  7. Falcone. Dana Rose. Meghan Trainor's on a 'Low Hater Diet' in New Track 'Watch Me Do'. Entertainment Weekly. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328181840/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/25/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do. March 28, 2016.
  8. Web site: Menyes. Carolyn. Meghan Trainor 'Watch Me Do' Review: New 'Thank You' Track Keeps It Old School. Music Times. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329064620/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/68534/20160325/meghan-trainor-watch-review-new-thank-track-keeps-old-school.htm. March 29, 2016.
  9. Web site: Warner. Sam. Meghan Trainor Releases Another HOT 2000s Banger with 'Watch Me Do'. Digital Spy. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328165501/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a788205/meghan-trainor-releases-another-hot-2000s-banger-with-watch-me-do/. March 28, 2016.
  10. Web site: Williott. Carl. Meghan Trainor Is In Full Flaunt Mode on 'Watch Me Do'. Idolator. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328073136/http://www.idolator.com/7627857/meghan-trainor-watch-me-do. March 28, 2016.
  11. Web site: Weiss. Dan. Review: Meghan Trainor, 'Thank You'. Spin. May 17, 2016. May 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160518103926/http://www.spin.com/2016/05/review-meghan-trainor-thank-you/. May 18, 2016.
  12. Biedenharn . Isabella . Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' . Entertainment Weekly . March 20, 2019 . May 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120800/https://ew.com/article/2016/05/12/meghan-trainors-thank-you-review/ . November 21, 2018 .
  13. Web site: Ryan . Patrick . Review: Meghan Trainor exudes confidence on 'Thank You' . . March 20, 2019 . May 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160908220450/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/reviews/2016/05/12/meghan-trainor-thank-you-album-review/84228362/ . September 8, 2016 .
  14. Web site: Caramanica, Jon . Jon Caramanica . Review: Meghan Trainor and Mike Posner, Taking Stabs at Pop Stardom . . March 20, 2019 . May 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181108105227/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/arts/music/meghan-trainor-mike-posner.html . November 8, 2018 .
  15. Web site: Roberts . Amy . 21 Empowering Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' Lyrics To Make Your New Anthem . . March 20, 2019 . May 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160926115013/http://www.bustle.com/articles/160659-21-empowering-meghan-trainors-thank-you-lyrics-to-make-your-new-anthem . September 26, 2016 .
  16. Web site: Conaton. Chris. Meghan Trainor: Thank You (Deluxe Edition). PopMatters. May 25, 2016. May 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160526110012/http://www.popmatters.com/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you-deluxe-edition/. May 26, 2016.
  17. Web site: Meghan Trainor: Thank You. Camp. Alexa. Slant Magazine. May 7, 2016. May 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513072737/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/meghan-trainor-thank-you. May 13, 2016.
  18. Web site: Weintraub. Allison. Friday brings new tunes from Grande, Fifth Harmony, Trainor and Banks, but not all of them are hits. The Oklahoma Daily. March 27, 2016. March 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527132813/http://www.oudaily.com/a_and_e/friday-brings-new-tunes-from-grande-fifth-harmony-trainor-and/article_317f84f8-f248-11e5-93f6-6ff630ddecda.html. May 27, 2016.
  19. Web site: Grace Garis . Mary . Ranking Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You' Track List From 'Bleh' To 'All About That Track' . Bustle . March 20, 2019 . May 13, 2016.
  20. 2016. Thank You. Meghan Trainor. Epic Records.
  21. Meghan Trainor (Chart Search) . Billboard . May 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200519165113/https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Meghan+Trainor&charttitle=Watch+Me+Do&label=&chartcode=&chart_date= . May 19, 2020.

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