Single Ladies
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(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, just broke up
I'm doing my own little thing
You decided to dip and now you wanna trip
'Cause another brother noticed me
I'm up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
'Cause I cried my tears for three good years
You can't be mad at me
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter than my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my 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, but now you gon' learn
What it really feels like to miss me
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, 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
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
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
The lyrics of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" are an ode to female empowerment and independence after a breakup. Throughout the song, Beyoncé reinforces that putting a ring on it is a symbol of commitment and devotion, something that she deserves in a partner. She is playful with the lyrics and encourages women to take control of their lives and not wait for a man to determine their worth. The song's chorus is an anthem to all single ladies - a reminder that they can live their lives confidently without needing a man to validate them.
The first verse describes a woman in a club, having just broken up with her partner. She doesn't let it get her down, and she goes on to enjoy herself. She meets a new guy, and the ex-partner realizes he's missed out. Beyoncé sings about the importance of the ring, which symbolizes commitment and love. She suggests that if a man likes his partner, he should place a ring on her finger to show that he is committed to her.
The second verse is an assertion of power and independence, as Beyoncé explains how she doesn't need a man's permission to live her life. Instead, she's comfortable in her own skin, enjoying the company of the man she's with. Despite her ex wanting her back, she has no interest, as she demands someone who will commit to her. Once again, she stresses that a ring is the necessary symbol of that commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
All the single ladies
Addressing all the single ladies and calling them out to come forward
Now put your hands up
Encouraging the single ladies to raise their hands in empowerment
Up in the club, just broke up
Narrating being in a club after a breakup
I'm doing my own little thing
Enjoying her own life and having fun despite a breakup
You decided to dip and now you wanna trip
Her ex-partner left her and is now trying to cause trouble in her life
'Cause another brother noticed me
Another man showed interest in her, which made her ex-partner jealous
I'm up on him, he up on me
Dancing with the other guy and enjoying the attention
Don't pay him any attention
Ignoring her ex-partner's attempts to get her attention
'Cause I cried my tears for three good years
She wasted three years on someone who didn't appreciate her
You can't be mad at me
Rejecting her ex-partner's attempts to make her feel guilty
'Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If her ex-partner truly liked her, he should have committed to her by proposing
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
Her ex-partner shouldn't be angry if she finds someone else who wants to commit to her
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Feeling confident and attractive with makeup and a man showing interest in her
Got me tighter than my Dereon jeans
Feeling secure and comfortable with herself and her appearance
Acting up, drink in my cup
Having fun and enjoying herself in the moment
I can care less what you think
Ignoring other people's opinions of her and her choices
I need no permission, did I mention?
Asserting her independence and not needing anyone's permission or approval
You had your turn, but now you gon' learn
Declaring that her ex-partner missed his chance with her and will now regret it
What it really feels like to miss me
Making her ex-partner realize what he lost by not committing to her
Don't treat me to these things of the world
Rejecting materialistic gestures and requiring genuine love and commitment
I'm not that kind of girl
Refusing to settle for anything less than what she deserves in a relationship
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Valuing genuine love and commitment in a relationship
Here's a man that makes me then takes me
Describing an ideal partner who makes her happy and fulfills her needs
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Describing a love that is meant to last and go beyond this lifetime
Pull me into your arms
Wanting to be held and loved by her ideal partner
Say I'm the one you want
Wanting her partner to declare their love for her and commit to her
If you don't, you'll be alone
Warning her partner that if he doesn't commit to her, he will lose her
And like a ghost I'll be gone
Declaring that she will leave him and haunt him like a ghost if he doesn't commit to her
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER A. STEWART, THADDIS LAPHONIA HARRELL, BEYONCE GISSELLE KNOWLES, TERIUS YOUNGDELL NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind