60 Meanings
Add Yours
Share
Q&A

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) Lyrics

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), we just broke up (up), I'm doing my own little thing;
You decided to dip (dip), and now you wanna trip (trip), 'cause another brotha noticed me...
I'm up on him (him), he up on me (me), "Don't pay him any attention..."
'Cause I cried my tears (tears), gave ya 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!
Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it...
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh...
Whoa-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh...

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), on me tighter than my Dereon jeans;
Actin' up (up), drank in my cup (cup) - I can 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 gonna learn what it really feels like to miss Bey...

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!
Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it...
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh...
Whoa-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh...

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 these things of the world...
I'm not that kind of girl!
Your love is what I prefer - What I deserve...
Is 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!)
Oh-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...

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...)
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...
(Oh-oh-oh!)
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Sony/atv Music Publishing Llc, Sentric Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer
Christopher A. Stewart, Thaddis Laphonia Harrell, Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Terius Youngdell Nash
Duration
3:27
Submitted by
iantuition On Oct 10, 2008
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

60 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

You're all wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. Listen again, and you will clearly hear her sing, "All the single LETTUCE."

It's about lonely salad.

I would totally put an onion ring on it. Poor lettuce.

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

It is obvious what this song means. It is about how she is now with another man, engaged/married and her ex boyfriend is jealous. She is saying that he can't be mad because not only could he not give her what she needed (real love) but he didn't propose any commitment (didn't put a ring on it). Someone else did. Too bad, so sad.

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

Me and my friend think that this song has a hidden dedication to Mario and Princess Peach.

You can clearly hear throughout the song that there is a similar sound to when Mario Jumps in the game. We think that Beyonce is trying to suggest that after all these years Mario and Peach should finally get married. This would also mean that Mario wouldn't have to be so worried about Bowser any more because We're sure that he wouldn't try and kidnap and romance a married woman.

[We're deadly serious]

=]

My Interpretation

I think the ring is a symbol for commitment, not just exclusively marriage. It's basically a song with the message that if you like a person but won't commit to them because you still want to get with other people, the tables might turn and you might end up being the lonely one.

Not Valid
Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

Don't you people ever think that some songs are just written for fun. You know, sheer enjoyment? I do love songs that deep, and make you really think. Everybody just loves a song that tears at the heart strings and makes them feel emotions that they rarely feel. But, on the other hand, why be so serious? Just because, Beyonce isn't out there singing about some type of love she has for someone/something or singing about politics, doesn't make this a bad song. The point is, if that man really wanted her, he would have stayed. Regaurdless of giving her a ring or not. It is what the ring is representing.

Not to mention, if you don't like this song, you most likely do not like Beyonce. Why you even bothered to search lyrics and post nonsense is beyond me. Now, that is truly pathetic.

I think I can pinpoint for you why people care - because this song is not just sending a vibe of enjoyment into the world, it's not just about dancing or having friends or loving life - it's sending a message to thousonds of young, impressionable people that superificial, materialistic commitment is the only thing that is important. It's addressing it as if all women need and want this ring and that form of commitment!

As for saying "f that man really wanted her, he would have stayed. Regaurdless of giving her a ring or not."... well where in the...

Not Valid
Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

K I like this song its catchy. The meaning is what everyone is saying. But the way I percieve it is single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) You can also take it as in if your single who cares if you dont got a man. Put a ring to show your single. put a ring on it.

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

this song is definitly about halo 3. it was not beyonce, but the forerunners who originally thought of a super ring which could destroy planets. do not be deceived by her lies. she may also tell you that you get recon armour for a con-splatter (another example of her witchcraft and spellcasting). also people, the rings have been destroyed. i made sure of that yesterday while playing the campaign on ledgendary (the grunt birthday party skull was on...HARDCORE!!!!) CTS REP

Song Meaning
Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

I object to the idea that if he wanted to keep her he should have proposed. He should have (both of them, actually) worked to fix the problems in the relationship. If it was simply that it wasn't real love, then why would she even have said yes?

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

i don't like this song, but he video's even worse.what' with the bionic hand shit?al she does is say the same three hings ver and over.she an do better, and i don't get how this one hs gotten a vide when others haven't.she's obviously talented, but this song is just horrendous

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

This song is worthless. Why is putting a ring on it such a big deal anyway? Like it's a big prize. Any woman who only wants that rock probably isn't worth having. Jay-Z is probably kicking himself. Okay, she is incredibly sexy, so maybe not yet. But he will be. Anyway, the point is, the guy in the song probably didn't put a ring on it because he knew she was a gold digger, and wanted him to spend his money on the sweat of diamond miners.

Cover art for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) lyrics by Beyoncé

God. This song is not at all original, although obviously it is quite catchy. And the lyrics leave much to be desired: "Is a man that makes me, then takes me, and delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond!"

Are you serious? I'm not even close to being a feminazi, but the misogyny of that lyrics quite simply boggles me. Here is one of the most powerful ladies currently in the music business, and this is how she feels about herself? That a man is what "makes [her]"?

Well, at least Jay-Z and she won't have any conflicts. Sigh.