“Work It Out” was Beyoncé’s debut solo single, released for Austin Powers in Goldmember.
The song was written and produced by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo. It appeared on the soundtrack of the 2002 film Austin Powers in Goldmember, in which Beyoncé played the character Foxxy Cleopatra.
“Work It Out” introduced Beyoncé as a solo recording artist while she was still a member of Destiny’s Child. It was later included as a bonus track on some editions of her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love.
The single is sometimes confused with “Crazy in Love,” which became Beyoncé’s major solo breakthrough the following year. “Work It Out” came first and is specifically tied to the Austin Powers film soundtrack and Foxxy Cleopatra role.