Single Ladies
Beyoncé Ft. Kanye West & Jay-z Lyrics

(Ladies on the floor)
The women in the audience are encouraged to dance and have a good time.

(All my ladies on the floor) gettin' bodied
All of the women on the dance floor are having fun and dancing with enthusiasm.

(If you ready, get it ready) gettin' bodied
Those who are ready to dance and enjoy themselves should be prepared to do so.

(Let's get it and drop it) hey
Let's enjoy ourselves and dance without hesitation.

Give it up for my sister!
An acknowledgement and appreciation for Beyonce's fellow female performers.

All right now
An expression of excitement and encouragement for the audience to continue enjoying themselves.

Everybody put your hands together
The audience is encouraged to participate and contribute to the lively atmosphere.

Do we have any single ladies in the house tonight?
Beyonce is calling out to the single women in the audience to participate in the song's message.

(Now put your hands up) sing
The audience is encouraged to sing and participate by raising their hands.

All the single ladies (All the single ladies)
This line refers to the single women in the audience and is part of the song's catchy chorus.

(All the single ladies)
Continuation of the chorus dedicated to single women.

(All the single ladies)
Continuation of the chorus dedicated to single women.

(All the single ladies)
Continuation of the chorus dedicated to single women.

Now put your hands up
A gesture to raise one's arms and participate in the song and dance.

Up in the club (club)
Referring to the environment in which relationships might form.

Just broke up (up)
The song's protagonist has recently ended a relationship.

I'm doing my own little thing
The artist is living independently and has found new joy in doing so.

You decided to dip (dip)
Her ex has already moved on, causing her to feel isolated at times.

But now you wanna trip (trip)
He is beginning to regret losing her and is causing drama in her current love life.

'Cause another brother noticed me
The artist is attracting the attention of another man, which makes her ex jealous.

I'm up on him (him)
The artist is pursuing this new romantic interest.

He up on me (me)
The new romantic interest is pursuing the artist as well.

Don't pay him any attention
The singer is ignoring her ex's attempts to spoil her new relationship.

I cried my tears (tears)
The artist has moved on and has already shed tears over their past relationship.

For three good years (years)
The duration of the past relationship that has caused the singer sadness.

You can't be mad at me
She is blaming her ex for not having committed to her sooner.

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
If you truly loved me, you would have proposed marriage to me already.

Don't be mad once you see that he want it
Don't be angry that I am now with someone who is prepared to commit.

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Refrain of the chorus indicating the song's central message.

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (whoa, oh, oh)
Continuation of the refrain of the chorus.

'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Repetition of the song's central message.

Now wait
A pause for effect between parts of the song.

I want y'all to get nice and stanky with me
The audience is encouraged to let loose and have fun in a lively and unapologetic way.

Where I'm from
A reference to Beyonce's hometown.

We do things nice and stanky
A reference to a regional dance style that involves enjoying oneself shamelessly.

We do things nice and funky (alright y'all)
A reference to how the dance needs to be lively and energetic.

Can y'all repeat after me
An invitation for the audience to join in and participate in the fun of the song.

You ready? Say
Beyonce is querying whether the audience is ready to participate.

Hey-ay (hey-ay)
A chant for everyone to repeat and enjoy.

Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Continuation of the energetic chant.

Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Continuation of the energetic chant.

Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Continuation of the energetic chant.

Hey-ay (hey-ay)
Continuation of the energetic chant.

Hey ay-ay (hey ay-ay)
Continuation of the energetic chant.

Hey-ay-yeah (hey-ay-yeah)
The song's chant continues to maintain a fun and exciting atmosphere.

Hey-ay-ay (hey-ay-ay)
Continuation of the song's energetic chant.

You still ain't stankin' enough for me
The audience is urged to let loose and have fun with the song in a shameless and free-flowing manner.

Say whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Continuation of the refrain of the song's central message.

(Sing) whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (put your hands up)
Repetition of the song's central message with an invitation to participate in the singing, audience participation and the fun of the song.

Say whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Continuation of the refrain of the song's central message.

(Where my ring at?)
The singer is now announcing that she has moved on and that her ex should have proposed marriage to her, rather than letting her go.

Sing (whoa, oh, oh)
The audience is invited to participate in the song's catchy refrains and energetic lyrics.

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Reiteration of the song's central message that the artist deserves love and appreciation, which includes a commitment of marriage.

Don't be mad once you see that he want it (I see you)
The singer is observing her ex react to her newfound happiness, inviting him to live with his regret after not having committed to her.

If you like it, then you shoulda put a (ring on it)
An invitation for men who appreciate women to commit to them seriously, which includes proposing marriage.

(Whoa, oh, oh, oh) if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Repetition of the song's main message about the importance of commitment in romantic relationships.

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Reiteration of the song's main message.

Don't be mad once you see that he want it
The artist is now observing how her former lover regrets letting her go and now wants her back.

If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Emphasis on the song's message. Those who want to express love to their partner and appreciate them should show their commitment by proposing marriage.

(Whoa, oh, oh, oh) hey
The song's catchy refrain to end the song.

I love y'all
The performer is showing appreciation to her fans by thanking them for their support.