Timeline of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”
The life of the single woman’s anthem of the decade
When Beyonce introduced her “I Am … Sasha Fierce” album with her now hit tune “Single Ladies,” we all kind of lost it. The black and white, heavily choreographed music video added even more umph to the single for “all the single ladies.” The song quickly became an international phenomenon, with Beyonce impersonators popping up everywhere, from “Saturday Night Live” to “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” Liza Minnelli’s recent cover of the massively successful hit has made us declare “this is the song that doesn’t end.” We thought we’d take a look at the life of “Single Ladies.”
Old Becomes New
Long before Beyonce slipped on an asymmetrical leotard and told the fellas to “Put a Ring On It,” Broadway’s Bob Fosse choreographed the dance for his wife Gwen Verdon’s “Mexican Breafast.” Choreographers Frank Gaston and JaQuel Knight took Fosse’s moves, sped them up and added a little J-Setting to them for the “Single Ladies” music video. It totally worked!
“Single Ladies” Premiere
“Single Ladies” hit the airwaves in October 2008, debuting on NYC radio station Power 105.1. The world went nuts.
SNL Single Ladies Spoof
In November 2008, Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg and Paul Rudd donned tight leotards and black pumps to make over the song as Bey’s backup dancers. Beyonce was in on the joke.
Shane Mercado Puts a Ring On It
Shane Mercado became an overnight celebrity in November 2008 when he taped himself copying the “Single Ladies” choreography perfectly and posted the video on Youtube.
Big Man Dances to Single Ladies
In December 2008 there were more impersonators. This man received over 3 million views for his “Single Ladies” video remix.
Baby does “Single Ladies”
In January 2009, even babies were saying “put a ring on it.”
London Dancers Take Picadilly Circus
On April 20, 2009, 100 dancers in asymmetrical bodysuits stormed London’s Picadilly Circus to dance to “Single Ladies” to promote Trident Unwrapped.
Kanye Defends “Single Ladies,” Insults Taylor Swift
At the 2009 MTV Music Awards in September 2009, Kanye west interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for the Best Female Video Award (O.D.B. style) to say Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video should have won the title.
The Chipettes are “Single Ladies” Too
Even cartoons joined in on the fun. The Chipettes gave “Single Ladies” a whirl in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel,” released in December 2009.
Beyonce Brings Home the Grammies
Beyonce was a big winner at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, thanks to “Single Ladies” which won the R&B and pop diva the Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance titles.
Liza Minnelli Does “Single Ladies” for “SATC 2”
when we heard that Liza Minnelli was covering “Single Ladies” in “Sex and the City 2” we were really interested to hear it. Once the song was leaked, we were a little confused. Watching Minnelli’s “Single Laides” movie montage on the big screen, however, was priceless. She’s still got it. We’re sure this isn’t the end of the road for “Single Ladies.” We can’t wait to see where the tune pops up next.