Single Ladies Put a Ring on It 2011

"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 catchy hook and theme of female empowerment; 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; Rolling Stone ranked it number one on its list of the Best 100 Singles of 2008. "Single Ladies" won numerous awards, including Song of the Year at the 52nd Grammy Awards.
"Single Ladies" was commercially well-received 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" has 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.