Single Ladies Put a Ring on It

Song Meaning and Backrgound of Single Ladies Put a Ring On It by Beyonce

Beyoncé’s generational anthem was written in “like 17 minutes” by Tricky “the Dream” Stewart, who wanted to find a way to universalize her relationship with Jay-Z. “You want him to commit,” he recalled.

“How do I make this a coffee-table conversation?”

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé, from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce released in 2008. It was released as a double A-side alongside "If I Were a Boy", showcasing the contrast between Beyoncé and her aggressive onstage alter ego Sasha Fierce. It explores men's unwillingness to propose or commit. In the song, the female protagonist is in a club to celebrate her single status.

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was written by Beyoncé, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, and was produced by Nash and Stewart.

Nash conceptualized "Single Ladies" after Beyoncé's secret marriage to hip hop recording artist Jay-Z in April 2008.

Stewart commented that the song was "the only public statement that [Beyoncé and Jay-Z had] ever made about marriage", and that while in the studio recording the song Beyoncé had remained tightlipped, even to the point of removing her wedding band.

Beyoncé's marriage inspired Nash to compose a song about an issue that affected many people's relationships: the fear or unwillingness of men to commit.

In an interview with Billboard magazine, Beyoncé added that she was drawn to the song because of the universality of the topic, an issue that "people are passionate about and want to talk about and debate". She stated that although "Single Ladies" is a playful uptempo song, it addresses an issue that women experience every day.

The black-and-white video became iconic too, winning Video of the Year at the 2009 VMAs.

"Single Ladies" won three Grammy Awards in 2009, including Song of the Year, among other accolades. Several news media sources named it as one of the best songs of 2008, while some considered it one of the best songs of the decade. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Lyrics of Single Ladies Put a Ring On It by Beyonce

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies

Now put your hands up

Up in the club (club), just broke up (up)

I'm doing my own little thing

Decided to dip (dip), but now you wanna trip (trip)

'Cause another brother noticed me

I'm up on him (him), he up on me (me)

Don't pay him any attention

Cried my tears (tears), for three good years (years)

You can't be mad at me

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips (lips), a man on my hips (hips)

Hold me tighter than my Deréon jeans

Acting up (up), drink in my cup (cup)

I can't care less what you think

I need no permission, did I mention?

Don't pay him any attention

'Cause you had your turn (turn)

But now you gon' learn

What it really feels like to miss me

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Don't treat me to the things of the world

I'm not that kind of girl

Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve

Here's a man that makes me, then takes me

And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond

Pull me into your arms

Say I'm the one you want

If you don't, you'll be alone

And like a ghost, I'll be gone

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)

All the single ladies

Now put your hands up

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Whoa, oh, oh, oh

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Whoa, oh, oh, oh

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

Whoa, oh, oh