Twerk

Album: Bad Decisions (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This single from Young Money artist Lil Twist's debut studio album Bad Decisions was produced by Maejor Ali and Chef Tone. It has the collaboration of Canadian singer Justin Bieber and twerkaholic Miley Cyrus, who sings "I came up in this party time to twerk, twerk."

    The track conveniently leaked three days after Miley's controversial twerking performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 25, 2013.
  • The definition of twerk, according to the ODO, is: "verb, dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance." Its origin is listed as "1990s: probably an alteration of 'work.'"

    The Head of US Dictionaries, Katherine Connor Martin, told MTV News that twerking came out of the Bounce music scene in New Orleans. "The first example that we know of is in a DJ Jubilee track called 'Do the Jubilee All' from 1993," she said.
  • Twist has been wanting to hook up with Cyrus since 2011, when he made his love for her known on Twitter. "I need a little @MileyCyrus in my life," he tweeted, "see if she can get addicted to this YMCMB lifestyle... ill talk care of u baby lol."
  • The song was originally written by Justin Bieber as part of his "music journal," a collection of tunes the Canadian singer was penning during his Believe tour for a potential project. After a conversation over dinner with Lil' Twist at the Japanese restaurant Nobu, Justin decided that the track would be better served in the hands of his friend. "He was doing 'Twerk' for 'Journals' with him and Miley," the rapper explained to MTV News, "and then once me and him had a conversation over dinner it was like, 'Yo bro, I think this should be your single and we should go with it.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.