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Chosen to be the two lead singles from ''I Am... Sasha Fierce'', "Single Ladies" and "[[If I Were a Boy]]" were released simultaneously to demonstrate the concept of dueling personalities of Knowles.<ref name="mtv1"/> This reinforced the theme of the album, which was created by placing its [[ballad]]s and up-tempo tracks on separate discs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597718/beyonces-i-sasha-fierce-album-preview.jhtml |title=Beyonce Album Preview: ''I Am ... Sasha Fierce Shines'' Light On B's Alter Ego |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |publisher=MTV News. Viacom |date=October 23, 2008 |accessdate=May 17, 2011}}</ref> The singles debuted on US radio on October 8, 2008;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596573/20081008/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|title=Beyoncé Releases Two Tracks From I Am ... , Inspired By Jay-Z And Etta James|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=October 8, 2008|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|accessdate=April 15, 2011}}</ref> "Single Ladies" did so on [[mainstream urban]] New York radio station [[WWPR-FM|Power 105.1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231737,00.html|title=Beyoncé's Double Debut|last=Tapper|first=Christina|date=October 8, 2008|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|accessdate=December 15, 2010}}</ref> Both singles were added to [[rhythmic contemporary]] radio playlists on October 12, 2008,<ref name="us_radio"/> and "Single Ladies" was also sent for [[Urban contemporary]] airplay the same day,<ref name="urban"/> while "If I Were a Boy" was instead sent to [[contemporary hit radio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |title=Available for Airplay |work=[[FMQB]] |accessdate=July 3, 2011}}</ref> The two songs were released as a [[double A-side]] single on November 7, 2008 in Australia,<ref name="au"/> New Zealand,<ref name="nzz"/> and Germany.<ref name="ger">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.de/dp/B001HZUTNU |title=If I Were a Boy &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=[[Amazon.de]] |accessdate=December 15, 2010 |language=German}}</ref> Dance [[remix]]es of the song were made available in the United States on February 10, 2009,<ref name="Mast"/> and in Europe on February 16, 2009.<ref name="itunes4"/> "Single Ladies" was not originally released as a single in the United Kingdom; however, the song became increasingly popular there and reached the top ten in the [[UK Singles Chart]] from download sales as an album track.<ref name="Nick"/> On February 16 it was released as a CD single and the dance remixes were released by means of digital download.<ref name="amazon.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001R6P1KA |title=Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Dance Remixes |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=December 15, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UKCDrelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Ladies-Put-Ring-Beyonce/dp/B001QITONY |title=Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |archiveurl=http://replay.web.archive.org/20090401070912/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Ladies-Put-Ring-Beyonce/dp/B001QITONY |archivedate=April 1, 2009}}</ref>
Chosen to be the two lead singles from ''I Am... Sasha Fierce'', "Single Ladies" and "[[If I Were a Boy]]" were released simultaneously to demonstrate the concept of dueling personalities of Knowles.<ref name="mtv1"/> This reinforced the theme of the album, which was created by placing its [[ballad]]s and up-tempo tracks on separate discs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597718/beyonces-i-sasha-fierce-album-preview.jhtml |title=Beyonce Album Preview: ''I Am ... Sasha Fierce Shines'' Light On B's Alter Ego |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |publisher=MTV News. Viacom |date=October 23, 2008 |accessdate=May 17, 2011}}</ref> The singles debuted on US radio on October 8, 2008;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596573/20081008/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|title=Beyoncé Releases Two Tracks From I Am ... , Inspired By Jay-Z And Etta James|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=October 8, 2008|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|accessdate=April 15, 2011}}</ref> "Single Ladies" did so on [[mainstream urban]] New York radio station [[WWPR-FM|Power 105.1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231737,00.html|title=Beyoncé's Double Debut|last=Tapper|first=Christina|date=October 8, 2008|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|accessdate=December 15, 2010}}</ref> Both singles were added to [[rhythmic contemporary]] radio playlists on October 12, 2008,<ref name="us_radio"/> and "Single Ladies" was also sent for [[Urban contemporary]] airplay the same day,<ref name="urban"/> while "If I Were a Boy" was instead sent to [[contemporary hit radio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |title=Available for Airplay |work=[[FMQB]] |accessdate=July 3, 2011}}</ref> The two songs were released as a [[double A-side]] single on November 7, 2008 in Australia,<ref name="au"/> New Zealand,<ref name="nzz"/> and Germany.<ref name="ger">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.de/dp/B001HZUTNU |title=If I Were a Boy &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=[[Amazon.de]] |accessdate=December 15, 2010 |language=German}}</ref> Dance [[remix]]es of the song were made available in the United States on February 10, 2009,<ref name="Mast"/> and in Europe on February 16, 2009.<ref name="itunes4"/> "Single Ladies" was not originally released as a single{{OR}} in the United Kingdom; however, the song became increasingly popular there and reached the top ten in the [[UK Singles Chart]] from download sales as an album track.<ref name="Nick"/>{{FV}} On February 16 it was released as a CD single and the dance remixes were released by means of digital download.<ref name="amazon.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001R6P1KA |title=Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Dance Remixes |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=December 15, 2010}}</ref><ref name="UKCDrelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Ladies-Put-Ring-Beyonce/dp/B001QITONY |title=Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |archiveurl=http://replay.web.archive.org/20090401070912/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Ladies-Put-Ring-Beyonce/dp/B001QITONY |archivedate=April 1, 2009}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Composition==

Revision as of 15:26, 23 July 2011

"Single Ladies"
Song
A-side"If I Were a Boy"

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles. It was released by Columbia Records with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side lead single from her third solo studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, on October 12, 2008. The songs were released simultaneously to demonstrate the contrast between the two conflicting personae of Knowles. "Single Ladies" was inspired by Knowles' and Jay-Z's secret marriage in April 2008.

Composed by Christopher Stewart, The-Dream, Kuk Harrell and Knowles, "Single Ladies" is a dance-pop and R&B song with dancehall and bounce influences, and makes lyrical references to marriage. "Single Ladies" received critical acclaim for its smooth production; some critics noted its aural similarities to Knowles' 2007 single "Get Me Bodied". The song was named one of the best singles of 2008 by several media outlets, including Rolling Stone, MTV News and Time. "Single Ladies" won numerous awards, including Song of the Year at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

"Single Ladies" was a commercial success in the United States, and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having sold over 4.2 million digital downloads in the US.[1] It was successful internationally; "Single Ladies" reached the top ten on the singles charts of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The single achieved multi-platinum certifications in many of these countries. As of November 2009, "Single Ladies" had sold over 6.1 million copies worldwide.[2]

The song's accompanying music video, directed by Jake Nava, was shot entirely in black-and-white. The video achieved great success, thanks to its choreography, which was inspired by "Mexican Breakfast", a 1969 routine choreographed by Bob Fosse. The dance routine of "Single Ladies" prompted many imitations and parodies from men and women all around the world, including US President Barack Obama and pop singers Justin Timberlake and Joe Jonas. According to the Toronto Star, the music video started the "first major dance craze" of the internet age.[3] The video won several awards, including Video of the Year at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. The song was promoted by Knowles with live performances on televised shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, at awards ceremonies, and on her worldwide I Am... Tour. "Single Ladies" has been covered by Katy Perry and numerous others, and it has been used in various television shows and other media.

Background and release

An Afro-American man is smiling. He is sitting in a control room, which includes a mixing console and monitor speakers. He wears sunglasses, a black shirt and a wristwatch.
Christopher Stewart co-wrote and produced the song

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was written by Beyoncé Knowles, The-Dream, Kuk Harrell and Christopher Stewart, and was produced by The-Dream and Stewart.[4] Jaycen Joshua and Dave Pensado mixed the record with assistance from Randy Urbanski and Andrew Wuepper.[4] It appears on the second disc of I Am... Sasha Fierce because Knowles portrays her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, in the song.[5] The-Dream's main inspiration for the song was Knowles' engagement to Jay-Z.[6] Their wedding, held in April 2008, was initially kept secret.[7] "Single Ladies" was recorded later the same month at the The Boom Boom Room Studio in Burbank, California.[4][6] According to Stewart, the song was "the only public statement that [Knowles and Jay-Z] ever made about marriage. When we went into the studio she didn't have a ring on or anything, because at that point they were still really hiding it. That's where Dream got that concept from".[6] Speaking about marriage, The-Dream said, "I thought it was a subject that most women wanted to talk about because most of us men are scared as shit to be bound to a commitment".[6] In an intervew with Billboard, Knowles explained her reasons for recording the song:

"I've always tried to pick songs and singles that were a part of pop culture, a part of things that people are passionate about and want to talk about and debate. 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' is an uptempo song that's fun. But it's also something women go through every day."[8]

Chosen to be the two lead singles from I Am... Sasha Fierce, "Single Ladies" and "If I Were a Boy" were released simultaneously to demonstrate the concept of dueling personalities of Knowles.[9] This reinforced the theme of the album, which was created by placing its ballads and up-tempo tracks on separate discs.[10] The singles debuted on US radio on October 8, 2008;[11] "Single Ladies" did so on mainstream urban New York radio station Power 105.1.[12] Both singles were added to rhythmic contemporary radio playlists on October 12, 2008,[13] and "Single Ladies" was also sent for Urban contemporary airplay the same day,[14] while "If I Were a Boy" was instead sent to contemporary hit radio.[15] The two songs were released as a double A-side single on November 7, 2008 in Australia,[16] New Zealand,[17] and Germany.[18] Dance remixes of the song were made available in the United States on February 10, 2009,[19] and in Europe on February 16, 2009.[20] "Single Ladies" was not originally released as a single[original research?] in the United Kingdom; however, the song became increasingly popular there and reached the top ten in the UK Singles Chart from download sales as an album track.[21][failed verification] On February 16 it was released as a CD single and the dance remixes were released by means of digital download.[22][23]

Composition

"Single Ladies" is an upbeat[9] dance-pop and R&B song,[24] set in common time.[25] "Single Ladies" displays dancehall and bounce influences;[6][26] it makes use of a bounce-based hand clap beat.[27][28] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, the song is written in the key of E major with a moderate groove of 96 beats per minute. Knowles' vocals range from the note of F3 to D5.[25] It has a basic chord progression of Em–C–Em in the verses, and Em–C–Am–C–Am in the chorus.[25] "Single Ladies" contains musical similarities to Knowles' 2007 single "Get Me Bodied"; Andy Kellman of Allmusic called "Single Ladies" a "dire throwback" of that song.[29]

"The song's message is a tricky one: girlfriend's just split from her no-good man and is out celebrating with her crew. She's snaring a new man, but her old one is watching, and the song is directed to him. 'If you like it then you should have put a ring on it,' goes the singsong hook, and eventually, the lyrics reveal that this is what the singer really wants: for her guy to make like a prince and grab her, delivering her to 'a destiny, to infinity and beyond' ... Prince Charming is left standing there like the second lead in a romantic comedy, while Beyoncé lets her new guy—and the beat, and those jumping background singers—sweep her off her feet."

Los Angeles Times' Ann Powers on the theme of "Single Ladies"[30]

In "Single Ladies", Knowles emphasizes her more aggressive and sensual side, her alter ego Sasha Fierce.[31] The song has been compared to schoolyard chants,[32][33] and has been said to feature "playground vocals".[34] Its chorus contains several hooks.[28] Daniel Brockman of The Phoenix noted the song's usage of "blurry pronouns" such as "it" has a flagrant resemblance to Knowles' 2005 hit "Check on It".[35] Accompanied by robotic-like sounds, the number's opening lines are call and response,[30][36] and Knowles displays a significant amount of attitude in her voice.[21]

Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune felt that the lyrics reflect "post-breakup" situations,[37] noting the lines of the hook: "Cried my tears for three good years / You can't be mad at me / If you like it then you should have put a ring on it".[30][37] Billy Johnson, Jr. from Yahoo! Music wrote that in the song Knowles offers support to women that have recently ended a poor relationship.[38] Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times saw the song's theme of female empowerment as an extension of that of "Irreplaceable" (2006).[30] According to a Daily Mail reporter, Knowles "urges women to dump their boyfriends if they don't propose".[39] Trish Crawford of the Toronto Star called the tune "a strong song of female empowerment",[3] while other music critics have noted its appeal to Knowles' fan base of independent women.[30][40]

Critical reception

"Single Ladies" garnered positive response from music critics, who complimented its production. Nick Levine of Digital Spy particularly lauded its beats.[21] Michelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club wrote that the song is "fabulous, with glowing production, a humongous hook, and beats for weeks."[41] Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times was also impressed with the overall production of the song, specifically the chorus. "More than most female singers, Beyoncé understands the funky art of singing rhythmically, and this is a prime example," Powers added.[30] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commended the threatening atmosphere that "Single Ladies" creates by using minor chords.[33] In a review of I Am...Sasha Fierce, Darryl Sterdan of Jam! called the song single-worthy, and wrote that it is "a tune that actually sounds like a Beyoncé number."[28]

Writers praised the song's danceability; Colin McGuire of PopMatters praised "Single Ladies" as one of Knowles' best dance tracks.[26] Andy Kellman of Allmusic and Jessica Suarez of Paste noted the song as one of the standouts from I Am... Sasha Fierce, and saw similarities to "Get Me Bodied".[29][42] Spence D. of IGN Music described "Single Ladies" as a "Caribbean flair and booty shaking jubilation that should get even the most staid of listeners snapping their necks and gyrating joyfully."[43] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly magazine wrote that "Single Ladies" is a "giddy, high-stepping hybrid of lyrical kiss-off and fizzy jump-rope jam".[27] Daniel Brockman of The Phoenix complimented the song's usage of the word "it", and wrote that the technique "sums up her divided musical persona far more effectively than the [album's] two-disc split-personality gimmick."[35] Some critics were unimpressed by the song. Mariel Concepcion of Billboard was not impressed with "Single Ladies" and called it "standard screech-thump fare".[44] The Observer's Adam Mattera saw "Single Ladies" and "Diva", the third single from I Am... Sasha Fierce, as potential sources of inspiration for drag queens, although they may leave others confused.[40] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine criticized its lyrical inconsistencies, and called it a "leftover" from B'Day,[32] and Sputnikmusic's Rudy Klapper labeled the song "almost unbearably repetitive".[45]

Recognition and accolades

Rolling Stone named "Single Ladies" the best song of 2008, and wrote, "The beat, courtesy of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, is irresistible and exuberant, the vocal hook is stormy and virtuosic."[46] Additionally, "Single Ladies" ranked as the second-best song of the 2000s decade in the magazine's 2009 readers' poll,[47] and Rolling Stone critics placed it at number fifty on the list of the 100 Best Songs of the Decade.[48] "Single Ladies" was placed at number two on MTV News' list of The Best Songs of 2008; James Montgomery called it "hyperactive and supercharged in ways I never thought possible. It's epic and sexy and even a bit sad."[49] "There is absolutely zero chance Beyoncé ever releases a single like this ever again," Montgomery concluded.[49] Time's critic Josh Tyrangiel, who called the song "ludicrously infectious", ranked it as the seventh-best song of 2008.[50] "Single Ladies" was named Song of the Year by Fuse TV in 2008.[51] It appeared at number six on the Eye Weekly's critics' list of the Best Singles of 2008.[52] Mark Edward Nero of About.com ranked it at the sixth-best R&B song of 2008.[53] Sarah Rodman, writing for The Boston Globe, named "Single Ladies" the fourth most irresistible song of the decade, and stated, "[Knowles] combined leotards with crass engagement-bling baiting into one delicious sexy-yet-antiquated package. The video had the whole world dancing and waving along via YouTube."[54] The song was Black Entertainment Television's best song of the 2000s decade.[55]

"Single Ladies" received a number of awards and nominations following its release. It won the Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance awards at the 52nd Grammy Awards.[56] It won the award for the Favorite Song at the 2009 Kids' Choice Awards,[57] Song of the Year at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards,[58] and Best R&B Song at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.[59] The song received nominations in the Best Song category at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards[60] and in the "Record of the Year" category at the 2009 Premios Oye! Awards.[61] It was nominated as Record of the Year at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards,[58] Viewer's Choice Award at the 2009 BET Awards,[62] Best R&B/Urban Dance Track at the 2009 International Dance Music Awards,[63] and World's Best Single at the 2010 World Music Awards.[64]

Commercial reception

A long shot of three women performing in front of a crowd. From left to right, the first and third are dancing, while the second is singing. Behind them, a band, playing guitars and drums, is visible. The women are wearing black dresses.
Knowles performing "Single Ladies" in Berlin on her I Am... Tour, 2009

"Single Ladies" debuted at number seventy-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 issue dated November 1, 2008.[65] On December 6, 2008, the song jumped from number twenty-eight to number two on the Hot 100, caused by its debut at number one on the Hot Digital Songs chart, selling 204,000 digital downloads.[66] "If I Were a Boy" was at number three on the Hot 100 chart the same week, and thus Knowles became the seventh female in the US to have two songs in the top five positions of the Hot 100.[67] The following week, "Single Ladies" ascended to number one on the Hot 100, selling 228,000 downloads, and became Knowles' fifth solo single to top the chart.[68] This tied her with Paula Abdul and Diana Ross at number five on the list of female artists with the most Hot 100 number-one hits.[69] The song stayed atop the chart for four non-consecutive weeks.[70] In its fourth week, digital downloads of the song increased by 157 percent to 382,000 units—its best week of digital sales.[70] On January 15, 2009, the song moved to number one on the Hot 100 Airplay chart with 147.3 million listener impressions that week.[71] It reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it remained for twelve consecutive weeks.[72] "Single Ladies" also topped the Pop Songs[73] and the Hot Dance Club Play charts,[74] and reached number two on the Pop 100.[75] The song has been certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),[76] and has sold around 4.2 million digital downloads in the United States as of August 2010.[1]

"Single Ladies" debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at number eighty-one on November 29, 2008.[77] On January 24, 2009, its ninth charting week, it moved to number two, where it peaked;[78] it was later certified double-platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).[79] "Single Ladies" peaked at number seven,[80] and spent 109 weeks in the UK Singles Chart.[81] It topped the UK R&B Chart, where it succeeded the song's double A-side, "If I Were a Boy".[82] On October 23, 2009, "Single Ladies" was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling 400,000 copies.[83] On the Irish Singles Chart it reached number four and enjoyed twenty weeks of charting, while on the Japan Hot 100 it made its way to number twenty-five.[84] In Australia, "Single Ladies" attained a high point of number five on the ARIA Singles Chart,[85] and received a triple-platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[86] The single peaked at number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart,[85] and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[87] "Single Ladies" appeared on several charts in mainland Europe, and peaked at number twenty on the European Hot 100 Singles.[88] It reached the top ten in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, and the top forty in both Belgian territories (Flanders and Wallonia), as well as in Hungary, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.[85][89] As of November 2009, "Single Ladies" has sold over 6.1 million copies worldwide.[2]

Music video

Background

The music video for "Single Ladies" was shot immediately after "If I Were a Boy" to reinforce the concept of conflicting personalities.[31] The video received less attention than the "higher-gloss, higher-profile video" for "If I Were a Boy".[90] The video shoot took approximately twelve hours, yet only one take was used in the final cut.[91] Both videos were shot in black-and-white in New York City, and were directed by Jake Nava, with whom Knowles had worked on her previous music videos, including "Crazy in Love" and "Beautiful Liar".[92] "Single Ladies" was choreographed by Frank Gatson and JaQuel Knight,[93] and incorporates J-Setting choreography.[31] The two premiered music videos on MTV's Total Request Live show on October 13, 2008.[9] The videos were released to major outlets on the same date and were later included on Knowles' remix album with videography, Above and Beyoncé,[94] and the platinum edition of I Am... Sasha Fierce.[95]

Concept

Two frames from two different music videos. Both images describe six women dancing, three women each. In the first image, from left to right, the first and third women are wearing similar suits, which consist of a vest and pink bell-bottoms, while the second is wearing the same clothes but in white. In the second photograph, all women are wearing similar leotards and high-heel shoes.
The music video, which incorporates J-Setting choreography, was inspired by the Bob Fosse-choreographed performance by Gwen Verdon in "Mexican Breakfast".

Knowles told Simon Vozick-Levinson of The Sunday Times that the inspiration for the video was a 1969 Bob Fosse routine entitled "Mexican Breakfast" seen on The Ed Sullivan Show which featured Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon, dancing with two other women.[96] Knowles wanted to attempt a similar dance and eventually, the choreography of "Single Ladies" was liberally adapted from "Mexican Breakfast". She explained:

I saw a video on YouTube. [The dancers] had a plain background and it was shot on the crane; it was 360 degrees, they could move around. And I said, 'This is genius.' We kept a lot of the Fosse choreography and added the down-south thing—it's called J-Setting, where one person does something and the next person follows. So it was a strange mixture ... It's like the most urban choreography, mixed with Fosse—very modern and very vintage.[31]

Knowles said that she wanted to keep the video simple. She explained that it was shot without different camera shots and cuts, without alterations to hairstyles, costumes, sets or lighting. She focused only on the performance.[8] Nava said that on the day the video was shot, the song was divided into three parts. He deliberately used lengthy shots so that viewers "would connect with the human endeavor of Beyoncé's awe-inspiring dance". He stated that all the changes in looks and lighting were executed on-camera because he wanted to keep the feel "very organic and un-gimmicky". The styling was inspired by a Vogue photo shoot.[90] According to JaQuel Knight, Knowles wanted the music video to "feel good and powerful" and include choreography that could be attempted by anybody.[6] In the video, Knowles wears a roboglove made of titanium. It was designed by her longtime jeweler, Lorraine Schwartz, and it is worn to complement Knowles' alter ego, Sasha Fierce. The glove consists of several pieces, including a ring and a separate component that covers Knowles' upper arm. She first wore the roboglove on the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 8, 2008. She was later seen with the same glove on Saturday Night Live and on the cover of Gotham.[97]

Synopsis

In the video for "Single Ladies", emphasis is laid on Knowles' more aggressive and sensual side, her alter ego Sasha Fierce. It shows her in an asymmetrical leotard and high-heels, with two look-alike backup dancers, Ebony Williams and Ashley Everett.[9] Knowles' mother, Tina Knowles, said that she designed the high-cut leotards after seeing something similar in the American musical films A Chorus Line and All That Jazz.[6] The dance routine incorporates many styles, including jazz, tap, and hip hop, and is credited with popularizing J-Setting, a flamboyant lead and follow dance style prominent in many African American gay clubs across Atlanta and used by the all-female J-Sette dance troupe of Jackson State University.[93]

The video features Knowles and her two companions dancing inside an infinity cove, which alternates between black and white and places the focus on the complex choreography. Throughout the video the women click their heels and do a lot of hip and leg shaking. However, the main intention is to attract the viewers' attention toward their hands and ring fingers. At one point during the video, the dancers run up to a wall, which, according to Frank Gatson Jr., pays homage to Shirley MacLaine's act in the 1969 film Sweet Charity.[6] Toward the end of the video, Knowles flashes her own wedding ring on her finger.[6][9]

Response and accolades

Knowles is smiling while standing in front of a black wall with several images of the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards logo on it. She wears a red dress and she is holding a silver astronaut-shaped trophy.
Knowles at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards

Upon the video's release, many internet bloggers noticed similarities between the choreography of "Single Ladies" and that in "Mexican Breakfast".[98] The latter became an internet viral sensation the previous summer when Unk's "Walk It Out" was dubbed over the original mix.[99] Regarding the "Single Ladies" video, Knowles said, "Out of all my videos, it was the least expensive and took the least amount of time. And it ended up being the most iconic. I just wanted to keep this one really minimal. But once we got on the set, it was like, wait a minute. This is something special."[8] The video spawned a dance craze and inspired thousands of imitations from all over the world, which were posted on YouTube.[6] In an interview with MTV, Knowles said that she felt "blessed" by the public's response to the video. She revealed that she had spent much time watching several parodies created by people all around the world. She stated, "It's beautiful to feel you touch people and bring a song to life with a video."[100] Nava later wrote to MTV, stating: "I don't think any of us predicted the amount of parodies it would attract. It's a testament to Beyoncé's mind-boggling talent and to the fact that sometimes, less really can be more."[90]

Kate Carraway of Eye Weekly commented that when the video of "Single Ladies" appeared on the internet, people began to "consciously look for music videos because of [their] art." She said that the music video format allows for "a lot of experimentation, but it’s a very young medium of film that’s disappearing, at least from the mainstream public eye."[101] In 2008 the music video won Best Dance Routine thanks to the votes of the readers of Popjustice Readers Polls;[102] the next year, it received a nomination for Best Video.[103] The video garnered nine nominations for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards,[100] and it won three: Video of the Year, Best Choreography, and Best Editing.[104] It won numerous Best Video awards at the MTV Europe Music Awards,[105] at the MOBO Awards,[106] and at the BET Awards.[62] At the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards the video was nominated for Best International Artist Video,[107] but lost to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face".[108] The video received a nomination for "Outstanding Music Video" at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards,[60] and it was ranked at number 4 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2008 countdown,[109] and at number 3 on VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2009.[110] The video was certified platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association in July 2009.[79]

"Kanyegate"

A man with very short black hair, wearing dark sunglasses, a white shirt and a black jacket is looking to his right.
Kanye West's behavior at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards was highly criticized.

"Single Ladies" was nominated for nine awards at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and ultimately won the award for Video of the Year and an additional two awards. Its loss in the Best Female Video category to American country pop singer Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me" led to controversy during the ceremony. Swift's award acceptance speech was interrupted by rapper Kanye West, who grabbed her microphone to declare the "Single Ladies" video as "one of the best videos of all time".[111] When Knowles won the Video of the Year award, she reminisced about when she won her first MTV award with her former band, Destiny's Child, and called the experience "one of the most exciting moments in [her] life." She then invited Swift to "come out and have her moment".[111][112] West was later criticized by numerous people, including US President Barack Obama,[113] pop singer Adam Lambert, businessman Donald Trump and manager Joe Jackson.[114] The media dubbed the situation "Kanyegate", alluding to the Watergate Scandal.[113]

Live performances

The image of a woman who is singing. She wears a black leotard and holds a microphone with her right hand while she moves quickly her left hand. Many musical instruments are visible behind her.
Knowles performing "Single Ladies" on her I Am... Tour

Knowles first promoted "Single Ladies" in a concert organized by Power 105.1 radio in New York on October 29, 2008.[115] At the 2008 World Music Awards in Monaco, Knowles performed "Single Ladies" while wearing her metallic hand glove, and pointed to the glove as she sang the song's chorus.[39] Knowles sang the song on television show Saturday Night Live on November 15, 2008.[116] That night, Knowles was featured in a parody of the "Single Ladies" music video, where the two female backup dancers from the video were replaced by pop singer Justin Timberlake and Saturday Night Live cast members Andy Samberg and Bobby Moynihan.[117][118] On November 16, 2008, Knowles performed a medley of "If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies", and "Crazy in Love" during the final episode of Total Request Live.[119]

"Single Ladies" was performed by Knowles on November 18, 2008, at BET's 106 & Park,[120] and during the 2008 American Music Awards on November 23, 2008.[121] Knowles sang the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 25, 2008,[122] and at Rockefeller Plaza on The Today Show the following day.[123] She delivered a performance of "Single Ladies" with two male dancers on The Tyra Banks Show on January 9, 2009.[124] At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009, Knowles performed the bridge from "Sweet Dreams", before she began "Single Ladies".[125] In addition these performances, the song was a part of Knowles' set list at the I Am... Yours concerts and on her I Am... Tour. The song was subsequently included on her live albums I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas (2009)[126] and I Am... World Tour (2010).[127]

Cultural impact

"There are gospel and acoustic versions. Toddlers have tackled it. [So have] recreation centre dance classes, sorority sisters in their dorm rooms, suburban teenagers in their basements and high school cheerleaders... There are all-male tributes, an impromptu number in an airport lounge and even some 'new 'n' improved' videos of dance teams taking a second try. As with every Internet trend, there are of course the requisite Facebook groups devoted to it ... a couple of years ago, Soulja Boy initiated a short-lived dance craze ... but it remained mainly a male hip-hop dance, whereas the 'Single Ladies' dance has crossed over to all age groups and genders."

—The Toronto Star's Trish Crawford on the cultural impact of "Single Ladies"[3]

"Single Ladies" has gained widespread popularity for its catchy hook and theme of female empowerment;[3][30] critics compared the song to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive".[3] The music video achieved fame for its intricate choreography,[128] and has been credited with starting the "first major dance craze of both the new millennium and the Internet".[3] This triggered a number of parodies of the dance choreography.[129][130] Billy Johnson of Yahoo! Music said that the video of "Single Ladies" was "the top music related viral hit" of 2009.[38] MTV News's James Montgomery wrote that "it appears like [the music video] was custom-made for the YouTube generation, which probably explains why making homages became a worldwide phenomenon".[90] The video has generated interest in J-Setting, the dance form that choreographer JaQuel Knight highlights in the video, and Knowles is credited with bringing the dance style to the mainstream.[31] In a radio interview on NPR's All Things Considered, Knight shared his excitement that the popular video inspired "people wanting to learn and be able to dance".[91] In February 2009 Columbia Records announced the launch of a "Single Ladies" Dance Video Contest. Fans aged eighteen or older were invited to adhere precisely to the dance routine performed by herself and her two dancers in the original production.[131] The winning video was included in her live album, I Am... World Tour (2010).[127]

Parodies

"Single Ladies" was first parodied on the November 15, 2008, episode of Saturday Night Live, on which Knowles appeared.[117] Later, Joe Jonas of the pop rock band the Jonas Brothers posted a video on their YouTube account where he did the dance in a black leotard and heels.[132] Irish pop duo Jedward parodied Knowles' dance moves for the video of their cover version of "All the Small Things".[133] In London, one hundred dancers wearing leotards similar to the one worn by Knowles performed the choreography on April 20, 2009, to promote Trident Unwrapped gum.[134]

The music video has inspired a legion of amateur imitators to post videos of themselves to YouTube attempting to perform the choreography.[128][130] One of the most viral videos is that of Shane Mercado, who appeared on The Bonnie Hunt Show in bikini bottoms to perform the choreography. He later got the chance to meet Knowles, an event that received coverage on various news outlets.[130] In a video filmed by singer John Legend, American president Barack Obama appears with his wife Michelle performing part of the "Single Ladies" routine.[135] This video prompted an Obama look-alike, Iman Crosson, to do his own version of the video's choreography.[136] His parody of "Single Ladies" was described as one of the "definitive 'Single Ladies' dance parodies" by AOL.[130] The popularity of the videos on YouTube has been acknowledged by Knowles; during her concert tour, excerpts from many of the YouTube videos play on video screens in the background.[31] In the music video for "Dancin on Me" by DJ Webstar and Jim Jones, three females are featured in the background, imitating the "Single Ladies" dance.[31]

Usage in media

Three men wearing leotards are onstage with their hands held high. are opening their hands up while they are in front of a crowd. From left to right, the first is wearing a reddish leotard and a blonde wig; the second wears black clothing and a red wig; the third wears a blue striped top with black pants.
A drag show dance inspired by the "Single Ladies" music video

"Single Ladies" has been used in various media. In the Best of 2009 issue of People Magazine, Khloe, Kim, and Kourtney Kardashian were ranked at number nine on the magazine's list of "25 Most Intriguing People". The photograph for the article showed the three women in leotards mimicking the look from the "Single Ladies" video.[137] The song has been included in many television shows, including CSI: Miami,[138] Cougar Town,[139] and Glee.[140]

In other media, issue 33 of comic book series The Brave and the Bold features a scene where Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and Barbara Gordon sing a karaoke version of the song while at a club.[141] A mash-up video of the theme of "Single Ladies" and The Andy Griffith Show circulated on the internet in early 2010. It was produced by Party Ben at the end of 2008.[142] In July 2010 the line "Put a Ring on It" was used by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS as the tagline for a female condom public awareness campaign in the United States.[143]

Cover versions

Several singers and bands of various genres sang the song in their own style. Scottish band Marmaduke Duke performed a cover in April 2009 on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge show,[144] which was released on Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 4, a compilation of Live Lounge recordings, in October 2009.[145] Australian singer Stan Walker sang a jazzier version of the song on the seventh series of Australian Idol in October 2009.[146] In her short-lived Broadway revue "All About Me", in March 2010, Dame Edna Everage performed a version of the song with backup dancers Gregory Butler and Jon-Paul Mateo.[147] The song was covered by Jeff Tweedy,[148] and a singer-songwriter from North London, Alan Pownall.[149] During her tour in Melbourne, Australia, on August 13, 2010, Katy Perry offered a performance of "Single Ladies" and tried to emulate the choreography.[150]

Sara Bareilles covered the song as part of Billboard's "Mashup Mondays" and performed the song as part of her set-list on the Lilith Fair Tour 2010.[151] An American rock band, A Rocket to the Moon, covered "Single Ladies" and placed it on their EP, The Rainy Day Sessions, which was released in October 2010.[152] On September 26, 2010, Kharizma sang their version of the song on the second series of The X Factor Australia.[153] and on May 31, 2011, Matthew Raymond-Barker sang the song on the seventh prime in live of the second series of the X Factor France.[154] "Single Ladies" was covered by The Chipettes in the film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and is available on the film's soundtrack.[155] The film Sex and the City 2 features a performance of the song by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli.[156]

Formats and track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from I Am... Sasha Fierce album liner notes.[4]

Charts and certifications

Certifications

Country Provider Certifications
Australia ARIA 3× Platinum[86]
Canada CRIA 2× Platinum[79]
Platinum (MT)[79]
New Zealand RIANZ Platinum[87]
Spain PROMUSICAE Platinum[187]
United Kingdom BPI Gold[83]
United States RIAA 4× Platinum[76]
Platinum (MT)[188]

Release and radio history

Country Date Format Label
United States October 12, 2008 Rhythmic contemporary airplay[13] Columbia, Music World
Urban contemporary airplay[14]
Australia[16] November 7, 2008 CD single, digital download Sony BMG
New Zealand[17]
Germany[18]
United States[19] February 10, 2009 Dance remixes download Columbia, Music World
Austria[189] February 16, 2009 Sony Music
Belgium[158]
Canada[190]
Denmark[191]
Finland[192]
France[193]
Ireland[194]
Italy[195]
Mexico[196]
Netherlands[197]
Norway[198]
Portugal[199]
Spain[200]
Sweden[20]
Switzerland[201]
United Kingdom[22][202] Columbia, Music World
United Kingdom[23] CD single RCA Records

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External links

Order of precedence
Preceded by U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single
November 29, 2008 – February 14, 2009
Succeeded by
"Blame It" by Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
Preceded by
"Live Your Life" by T.I. featuring Rihanna
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
December 13, 2008 – December 20, 2008
December 27, 2008 – January 10, 2009
Succeeded by
"Live Your Life" by T.I. featuring Rihanna
"Just Dance" by Lady Gaga featuring Colby O' Donis
Preceded by U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Airplay number-one single
January 10, 2009 – January 24, 2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
January 17, 2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by UK R&B Chart number-one single
January 18, 2009 – February 8, 2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Just Dance" by Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis
U.S. Billboard Pop Songs number-one single
February 7, 2009 – February 28, 2009
Succeeded by