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Beyonce Prompts Single Ladies, Men And Kids To Remake Her Video

Posted Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:32am PST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training
Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" record seems like just another anthem for women getting over a bad breakup. The lyrics attack a jealous ex-boyfriend who can't accept that she has moved on and is now getting the attention of other men. His jealousy annoys her because he had his chance. So Beyonce quips, "If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it," throwing the drama back in his face.

While a concept video documenting the dirty details of a failed relationship would have been the obvious companion piece for the song, Beyonce had dancing on her mind. Inspired by choreography of the late Broadway producer Bob Fosse, Beyonce wanted to make a dance video shot in one continuous take.

The choreography, two background dancers, her single-sleeved leotard and Michael Jackson-esque titanium glove are her only props.

Again, Beyonce scores a #1 hit and gives her females fans a new anthem. She additionally ignites a viral sensation that prompts hundreds of interpretations. Single ladies aren't the only ones redoing the video. There are also takes from men and kids, parodies, response songs and animations.

Here are some of the highlights. 

Beyonce And Justin Are Not N'Sync

After a week or so of web speculation that questioned the gender of one of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" background dancers, Saturday Night Live proposed having Beyonce participate in a related skit. In the bit, Beyonce is surprised when she shows up for rehearsal and finds three male background dancers, clad in leotards and pumps, and seriously lacking talent. Justin plays one of the guys.


 
If Beyonce Was A Boy Her Name Would Be Shane Mercado

Shane’s interpretation is one of the most popular versions on the internet, having received more than 1 million views and prompting coverage on various news outlets. He even performed live on the Bonnie Hunt show. It is shocking to watch him in bikini bottoms dancing in perfect sync with the video.

 

Cubby Wants To Put A Ring On It

If you haven't already seen the clip of Cubby in his XXXL leotard get ready. This funny guy who happens to be an on air personality for Charlotte, North Carolina's 96.1 The Beat AM based his parody on the Beyonce and Justin Timberlake SNL skit. Stomach-licious is probably the best way to describe it.  

 

Arianna: Destiny's Newest Child

I am freaked out to see this adorable toddler in a pink onesie diligently working to copy Beyonce's every provocative move. Fortunately, Little Miss Arianna embodies such innocence that she simply comes off as cute. But you can believe that my daughter won't be learning the dance.

"Single Ladies" Gets Animated

Only a mega star would warrant having their likeness duped for an animated series. So props to Beyonce for having the "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" video covered by Greg from Chardon, an online South Park parody. Do not hesitate checking it out, as Greg is just as politically incorrect as his wannabe pals from the controversial Comedy Central series from which Chardon received its inspiration. And yes, Greg is wearing the anatomically correct leotard.



Big Girls Don't Cry 

It doesn't take long to figure out why these three video vixens are wearing red horns on their heads. Their naughty rendition just might cost them a visit from Santa Claus tonight. Still, they demonstrate that the big girls also know how to rub a hot new fling into an exes' face. Don't miss the climatic ending. Here's a hint: One of these bad mama jammas drops it like it's hot, and it is steaming. 

The Gwen Verdon/Bob Fosse version

It was only fair that Beyonce would get her own Bob Fosse version. Watch as the "Single Ladies" music plays underneath archive performance footage of Gwen Verdon and two backup dancers. Beyonce was inspired to make her own barebones dance video after seeing this same Verdon video atop of DJ Unk's "Walk It Out."



Lelia Makes Acoustic Version

While everyone else has focused on the dance, young singer songwriter Lelia Broussard put her emphasis on the song. Here she plays a soft, live acoustic version on her guitar. The South Louisiana native, who is not related to Marc Broussard, is no amateur. She has a publishing deal with Universal/Rondor Music and has already released a couple CDs, waiting on the 9, is her latest. Hopefully, covering this Beyonce track will help generate her even more exposure.

1472 Comments

1. Lori -
I'm confused. When the video first came out credit was given to some guy who created the J-step moves but once the Bob Fosse video resurfaced on You Tube all of a sudden Beyonce acknowledged she was "inspired" by that video. Give me a break!

2. melisha a -
She's been saying that from the beginning

3. Yahoo! Music User -
I really enjoyed this! The acoustic version is good.

4. Miss*Swagga -
The acoustic one sounds really good.

5. Bella -
Love it! letting the ladies know dont give away the milk make him purchase it! thats what we say down south.

6. Marquita -
Ms. Lori i think you mean J-Sette, but you can clearly see the inspiration is from the Bob Fosse version. Although, she did throw some 8 counts(J-Settes) in her version. If you want to know more about it just youtube J-settes you bwill then be able to tell what part of the video it's in.

7. Ananiah M -
I like the Sinai 48 version on Youtube best!

8. Scotty leep -
The acoustic version is the best and she is hot

9. Deb -
I HATE that Beyonce song, Single Ladies. It's the most annoying song other than Macarena and Don't Worry Be Happy. She looks so trashy in the video. And the coreography - awful! The original video looks like a spoof of itself. Why can't she sing classy music, like she does in her new movie? I mean, she's no Etta James, but she can do better than this crap.

10. Greg -
what the .... is this !!!!

11. K -
Musical history repeats itself... regardless where it came from, inspired from, etc. Seventy-five percent of what we've seen over that past 5 years isn't new but a whole generation of kids never saw it so it is new to them. It's stories like these that make us comment about someting that's really nothing.

12. treehugger -
Wow, I love the acoustic version, she has that jason Mraz style, I hope to buy her CD one day!!

13. Sophia -
LOL, the imitations are pretty awesome, except for the toddler one. Not too sure if that was a good idea for the mom to make her do that

14. Yahoo! Music User -
acoustic version is amazing.

15. joshawa -
the last one stinks but rest is hillarious

16. Yahoo! Music User -
i really like this accustic version i'm gonna have to look that girl up

17. matthew -
The acoustic song is my favorite!!! I like it even more then Beyonce's verson.

18. Anand P -
These people are making fools of themselves. The original Beyonce video was sexy. The little girl video was cute. The fat-black-woman video was amusing. The rest were ridiculous. These poor people think they are amusing, when they are really just pathetic. These people are making fools of themselves, and not in a good way. Damn right.

19. PaulM -
just wait for the "Diva" spoofs. im sure they'll be hilarious.

20. Yahoo! Music User -
i think the accustic version is the best i will remember her name and have to get her cds
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