Single Ladies
The Tiny Boppers Lyrics


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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.
Decided to dip (dip) and now you wanna trip (trip)
'Cause another brother noticed me

I′m up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
Just cried my tears, for three good years
You can't get mad at me

′Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh x2

If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you t be mad once you see that he want it
Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in 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, and now you gonna 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 shoulda put a ring on it
Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
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

′Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you shoulda 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 shoulda put a ring on it




Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it, oh oh oh

Overall Meaning

The Tiny Boppers's "Single Ladies" is an upbeat and sassy call to all the single ladies out there. The song starts with a repeating chorus of "All the single ladies" which is catchy and hooks the listener in. The verses, on the other hand, have a very confrontational tone to them, as the singer tells the story of a relationship that has ended and how she's moved on. She's not interested in her ex's attention anymore and doesn't care about his feelings because he did not commit to her in the first place.


The chorus is the heart of the song, urging men to stop wasting time and commit to their partners before it's too late. The lyrics "If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it" is a phrase that became famous following the song's release. The song is not only about romantic commitment, but it's also about self-love and empowerment as the singer asserts her independence and calls on other women to do the same. Overall, the song is an infectious and empowering anthem for single women everywhere.


Line by Line Meaning

All the single ladies,(all the single ladies)
Empowering call to single women


All the single ladies, (all the single ladies)
Repetition of the call to single women to emphasize the message


All the single ladies, (all the single ladies)
Third repetition of the call to single women


All the single ladies Now put your hands up
Encouraging single ladies to celebrate their independence and enjoy themselves


Up in the club (club), we just broke up (up), I′m doing my own little thing.
Singer is enjoying her independence after a recent breakup and not letting it stop her from having fun


Decided to dip (dip) and now you wanna trip (trip)
Her ex is upset that she's moved on


'Cause another brother noticed me
The ex is jealous that another man is interested in her


I′m up on him, he up on me
She's dating someone new and they're in a relationship


Don't pay him any attention
She's not interested in her ex anymore


Just cried my tears, for three good years
She's spent a long time being upset about the breakup


You can't get mad at me
She's over the relationship and is not going to be held responsible for her ex's feelings


′Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
If he wanted to keep her, he should have proposed


If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Repetition of the message that if he wanted to keep her, he should have proposed


Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
Her ex is upset that someone else is interested in her now that they've broken up


'Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Reiteration that if he liked her, he should have committed to her


I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
She's confident and attractive


Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
She's proud of her fashion style and feels good in her clothing


Acting up, drink in my cup
She's having a good time and enjoying herself


I can care less what you think
She doesn't care about her ex's approval or opinion


I need no permission, did I mention
She doesn't need anyone's permission to be herself


′Cause you had your turn, and now you gonna learn
Her ex had his chance and now he'll have to deal with the consequences of losing her


What it really feels like to miss me
He'll regret letting her go


Don't treat me to these things of the world
She doesn't need materialistic things to feel valued


I′m not that kind of girl
She has her own values and priorities


Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
She wants genuine love and affection from a partner


Is a man that makes me then takes me
She wants a man who is assertive and confident


And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
She wants to be with someone who will take her on a journey of lifelong love and fulfillment


Pull me into your arms
She wants to be held and comforted


Say I′m the one you want
She wants to be reassured that she's the one for him


If you don't, you′ll be alone
If he doesn't commit to her, he'll lose her


And like a ghost I'll be gone
She'll move on and he'll never see her again


Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Repetition of the hook


′Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it
Repetition of the message


If you liked it, then you t be mad once you see that he want it
Repetition of the message that her ex is jealous


Don′t be mad once you see that he want it
Reiteration of the message that he can't be upset now that she's moved on


If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it
Final repetition of the main message


Oh, oh, oh.
Final repetition of the hook




Writer(s): Nash Terius Youngdell, Stewart Christopher A, Harrell Thaddis Laphonia, Knowles Beyonce Gisselle

Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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