Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé began performing in local competitions at age 7, eventually forming the group Girl's Tyme in 1990 with help from her parents. Girl's Tyme became Destiny's Child in 1997.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child in 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, which became one of the most successful albums of that year, and signaled her viability as a solo artist. The disbanding of Destiny's Child in 2005 facilitated her continued success: her sophomore solo album B'Day, released in 2006, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Her third solo album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, was released in November 2008, and in 2009 she received 10 Grammy Awards nominations. On January 31, 2010, she won 6 Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy awards won by a female artist in one night; she previously held the record of five awards with 5 other artists. Following a career hiatus, Beyoncé released her fourth studio album entitled "4" on June 24, 2011, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
2013 - 5th Album - "Beyoncé"
On December 12, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her fifth and self-titled album in the iTunes Store. Beyoncé called it a "visual album" as it includes 14 songs and 18 videos - with each track having a music video together with additional bonus videos. The album has a list of collaborators including Drake, Frank Ocean and her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy.
2015
In February 2015 at the 57th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won 3 Grammys (and was nominated for 6 Grammy awards) - Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", Best R&B Performance and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé.
On April 4th, 2015, Beyoncé surprised her fans with the release of a new single and accompanying video, released exclusively on the streaming service "Tidal" which she co-owns with a number of other big name starts including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher. The track, "Die With You" is a stripped down ballad, with Beyoncé sitting at a piano with pigtail braids: the song celebrates the seventh anniversary of her marriage to Jay-Z.
Super Bowl - February 2016
Beyoncé appeared on stage to perform her latest single "Formation", supporting the headline act Coldplay at the much coverted Super Bowl 50 half-time show on February 7, 2016. Also appearing on stage was Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson who performed their hit "Uptown Funk".
2016 - 6th Album - "Lemonade"
"Lemonade" is Beyoncé's a sixth solo album and was released on April 23, 2016 as an exclusive on the music streaming service, Tidal after it premiered on the TV Network, HBO, as a conceptual short film. It was subsequently made available for purchase on Apple's iTunes Store on April 24, 2016. The album has 12 tracks, with contributions from artists such as James Blake and Kendrick Lamar. According to a press release from Tidal which accompanied the release, "Lemonade" is “based on every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing”.
2017 - Grammy Awards
At the 59th Grammy Awards on Sun, February 12, 2017, Beyoncé took awards for "Best Urban Contemporary Album" for "Lemonade" and "Best Music Video" for "Formation"
2022 - 7th Album - "RENAISSANCE" (ACT i)
After a 6 year hiatus from music, Beyoncé announced the lead single "BREAK MY SOUL" on June 20, 2022, for her seventh studio album “RENAISSANCE" which is the first installment of a three-part project. "RENAISSANCE" was released on July 29, 2022, and was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to inspire joy in listeners. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-rated album of 2022, named the best album of the year by publications such as the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone, which would later place the record at number 71 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It then was nominated for Album of The Year at the 65 Annual Grammy Award Show and won Best Dance/Electronic Album.
2024 - 8th Album - "COWBOY CARTER" (ACT ii)
2 years after her seventh studio album, "RENAISSANCE", Beyoncé announced her eighth studio album "COWBOY CARTER" also known as “ACT ii” released on March 29, 2024. This serves as the second installment of the three-part project, and as long rumoured, its genre is country. The album was teased through a Verizon ad aired during the Super Bowl LVIII and was preceded with two surprise singles both released on February 10, 2024, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "16 CARRIAGES".
Miscellaneous
Beyoncé began her acting career in 2001, appearing in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. In 2006, she starred in the lead role in the film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, for which she earned two Golden Globe nominations.
On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were married in a small, private ceremony in New York. On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Beyoncé is sometimes referred to as Jay-Z's wifey and/or, Jay-Z's boo thang.
Beyoncé launched her family's fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004, and has endorsed such brands as Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and L'Oréal.
In 2009, Forbes listed Beyoncé fourth on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world, third on its list of the top-grossing musicians, and number one on the list of top Best-Paid Celebs Under 30 with over $87 million dollars in earnings between 2008 and 2009.
Beyoncé has attained five Hot 100 number one singles, becoming one of the two female artists—joint with Rihanna—with the most number ones attained within the 2000s, excluding her three Hot 100 number one singles with Destiny's Child.
Single Ladies
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(All my ladies on the floor) gettin' bodied
(If you ready, get it ready) gettin' bodied
(Let's get it and drop it) hey
Give it up for my sister!
All right now
Everybody put your hands together
(Now put your hands up) sing
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
You 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
I 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 (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
Now wait
I want y'all to get nice and stanky with me
Where I'm from
We do things nice and stanky
We do things nice and funky (alright y'all)
Can y'all repeat after me
You ready? Say
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Hey-ay-yeah (hey-ay-yeah)
Hey-ay-ay (hey-ay-ay)
Now wait
You still ain't stankin' enough for me
Say whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(Sing) whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (put your hands up)
Say whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(Where my ring at?)
Oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sing (whoa, 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 (I see you)
If you like it, then you shoulda put a (ring on it)
(Whoa, 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) hey
I love y'all
The song "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé is a powerful anthem that empowers women everywhere. It starts by calling all the ladies to the floor to "get bodied" and then proceeds with Beyoncé asking if there are any single ladies in the house. The story of the song revolves around a man who fails to put a ring on the finger of the woman he claims to love. The chorus is an iconic message to all the men out there that if they like a woman, they should put a ring on it because they might miss out on an incredible woman if they don't. The song celebrates female empowerment through lyrics and dancing, with the accompanying music video famously featuring Beyoncé and her dancers performing in black and white outfits with the signature dance move of placing a hand on the head and shaking a finger.
The lyrics to "Single Ladies" have been interpreted as an anthem for women who want men to treat them better. The song celebrates women's agency and promotes self-worth, stating that women do not need to wait for a man to "put a ring on it" to be happy. Instead, they can choose to be single and free or find a man who treats them right.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ladies on the floor)
Women are dancing on the dance floor
(All my ladies on the floor) gettin' bodied
All the women dance energetically on the floor
(If you ready, get it ready) gettin' bodied
If you're ready to dance, let's do it energetically
(Let's get it and drop it) hey
Let's dance with energy and excitement
Give it up for my sister!
Applause for my fellow women
All right now
Let's get started now
Everybody put your hands together
Clap your hands together
Do we have any single ladies in the house tonight?
Are any women without partners tonight?
(Now put your hands up) sing
Raise your hands up and sing
All the single ladies (All the single ladies)
All the women who are unattached
Up in the club (club)
We are in the nightclub
Just broke up (up)
I recently ended my relationship
I'm doing my own little thing
I'm enjoying myself and doing what I want
You decided to dip (dip)
You broke up with me
But now you wanna trip (trip)
You're jealous and causing problems
'Cause another brother noticed me
Because another man is interested in me now
I'm up on him (him)
I'm with this new man now
He up on me (me)
This new man is with me too
Don't pay him any attention
Don't worry about my new partner
I cried my tears (tears)
I was hurt by our breakup
For three good years (years)
I was emotionally invested in our relationship for three years
You can't be mad at me
You have no right to be upset with me
'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
If you wanted to keep me, you should have proposed
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
Don't get upset when you see me happy with someone else
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Vocalization of the chorus
Now wait
Hold on a second
I want y'all to get nice and stanky with me
I want you to join me in a funky dance
Where I'm from
In my hometown
We do things nice and stanky
We dance in a funky way
We do things nice and funky (alright y'all)
We dance in a groovy way
Can y'all repeat after me
Can you all say what I say
You ready? Say
Are you ready to say what I say?
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey-ay-yeah (hey-ay-yeah)
Chanting a vocalization
Hey-ay-ay (hey-ay-ay)
Chanting a vocalization
You still ain't stankin' enough for me
You're still not dancing funky enough for me
Say whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Vocalization of the chorus
(Where my ring at?)
Asking where the engagement ring is
I see you
I recognize you and your intentions
(put your hands up)
Raise your hands up
(Whoa, oh, oh, oh) if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
If you wanted to keep me, you should have proposed
Hey
Expressing excitement
I love y'all
I love all of you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher A. Stewart, Thaddis Laphonia Harrell, Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Terius Youngdell Nash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
josiah
on CUFF IT
I feel like fallin' in love (fallin' love)
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up (tonight, I'm fuckin' somethin' up, baby)
I need some drink in my cup (I need a drink)
Hey (pour me a drink)
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up (I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up)
I wanna go missin'
I need a prescription
I wanna go higher, can I sit on top of you? (Ooh-la-la-la, la-la-la)
I wanna go where nobody's been (wanna go where nobody's been)
Have you ever had fun like this? (Have you ever had fun? Yeah)
We gon' fuck up the night, black lights
Spaceships fly (spaceships fly)
Yeah, unapologetic when we fuck up the night
Fuck up the night
We gettin' fucked up tonight
We gon' fuck up the night
Bet you you'll see far
Bet you you'll see stars
Bet you you'll elevate
Bet you you'll meet God
'Cause I feel like fallin' in love
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up
'Cause we gon' fuck up the night
What's in these four walls?
You sexy, my love (turn it up)
Don't miss this roll-call
Is you here or what? (Roll it up)
Yeah, show up, show up (show up, show up)
Po' up, po' up (po' up, po' up)
Uh, you Mr. Nasty, I'll clean it up
Go where nobody's been (wanna go where nobody's been)
Have you ever had fun like this? (Have you ever had fun? Yeah)
I wanna go missin'
I need a prescription
I wanna go higher, can I sit on top of you?
We gon' fuck up the night (funk it up, funk it up)
Black lights
Spaceships fly (spaceships fly)
Yeah, unapologetic when we fuck up the night (funk it up, funk it up)
Fuck up tonight
We gettin' fucked up tonight
We gon' fuck up the night
Bet you you'll see far
Bet you you'll see stars
Bet you you'll elevate
Bet you you'll meet God
'Cause I feel like fallin' in love
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up
We gon' fuck up the night
Hypersonic, sex erotic
On my body, boy, you got it
Hit them 'draulics, while I ride it
Got me actin' hella thotty
So excited, so exotic
I'm a seasoned professional
Squeeze it, don't let it go
Tease it, no self control
I got time today (I got time today, I got time)
Oh, I (I got time today, I got time)
I can't wait 'to come out and play
Ooh, yeah you
Come and cuff it, cuff it, cuff it, cuff it, baby
While I buss it, buss it, buss it, for you baby, ayy
Oh, baby
Anywhere, any time
I don't mind, I don't mind
Yeah (I don't mind)
For you (all for you)
I'm backin' the truck up, huh (back that truck up)
For you (all for you, for you)
A bitch'll get fucked up, huh (I fucked her up)
For you (all for you)
I'm puttin' my cup up, huh (put my cup up, yeah)
For you (all for you, you)
'Cause we gon' fuck up the night
Take flight (woo), blindin' lights (yeah)
Fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up
(Unapologetic when we fuck up the night)
Bet you you'll see stars (night)
Bet you you'll go far (night)
Bet you you'll levitate (night)
Bet you you'll meet God (party people, roll up)
Ooh (yeah)
We gon' fuck up the night (huh, yeah)
Spaceships fly
Fuck it up, fuck it up