Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams have reunited for a funky new song called “Doctor (Work It Out)”, which was released on March 1, 2024. The song is their first collaboration in 12 years, since they worked together on Cyrus’s fourth studio album Bangerz (2013) and Williams’s second studio album Girl (2014).

The History of the Song

“Doctor (Work It Out)” is not a brand new song, but rather a reworked version of an outtake from Bangerz that was leaked online in 2017. According to Cyrus, the song was written and recorded in 2012, but they decided to hold it back because it was not the right time for it. 

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Williams explained that he met Miley Cyrus when she was still known as Hannah Montana and wanted to experience life and express herself. He said he understood her vision and helped her create songs that reflected her personality and growth. 

Williams also revealed that he had similar situations in his career, where he produced songs for certain artists and they ended up being released by other artists in different genres. He said he believed in timing and everything happening when it was supposed to. 

The Release of the Song

The song was first previewed during Williams’s Louis Vuitton menswear fall-winter show during Paris Fashion Week, on January 16, 2024. The show featured a Western theme and the song served as a fitting soundtrack. 

In February, Miley Cyrus updated her website and social media with new pictures from a polaroid-themed photoshoot, which sparked speculation about new music.  Later that month, Williams teased the song on his social media and hinted at an official release. 

On February 27, Miley Cyrus announced the song’s title, shared a promotional image, and released a 30-second snippet on her social media.  The image showed Cyrus standing against a gray background and looking into the camera, styled with big hair and wearing a blue fur coat. The title appeared in pink at the top of the image. 

The next day, Cyrus released a preview of the song’s music video, which featured her dancing and singing along to the lyrics. She also announced the release date as March 1, 2024. 

The Song and the Music Video of Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams

The song is a catchy and upbeat pop tune, with a pulsating bass guitar-driven beat and a dance break. The lyrics are about a playful and seductive relationship, where Cyrus offers to be the doctor and the nurse for her lover and to work it out with them. She sings, “I could be your doctor / And I could be your nurse / I think I see the problem / It’s only gon’ get worse / A midnight medication / Just show me where it hurts / I need to rock you, baby / Before your body bursts.” 

The music video is a simple and joyful solo dance party, where Cyrus takes center stage and shows off her moves and charisma. She wears a shimmery fringe dress and dances in front of a colorful backdrop, with lights and confetti. The video is reminiscent of her 2024 GRAMMYs performance, where she won two awards for her 2023 hit, “Flowers”. 

The song and the music video have received positive reviews from fans and critics, who praised Cyrus and Williams for their chemistry and talent. The song has also charted well on various platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. 

The Future of the Collaboration

Miley Cyrus and Williams have expressed their admiration and gratitude for each other, and hinted at more collaborations in the future. In the interview with Lowe, Cyrus said that Williams was one of the people who encouraged her to change her image and sound in 2012, when she cut her hair and dyed it platinum. She said he was like a bumper for her, but not a bridle. 

Williams said that he was proud of Cyrus and her achievements, and that he was always ready to work with her. He said, “She’s a force. She’s a force of nature. And I’m just happy to be a part of her journey. And anytime she calls me, I’m there.” 

“Doctor (Work It Out)” is a testament to the long-lasting and fruitful partnership between Cyrus and Williams, who have brought it back to 2013 with their new collab. The song is a celebration of their achievements, their growth, and their friendship.