Comments on: All The YouTube People (Put a Camera On It)

All The YouTube People (Put a Camera On It)

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:03:10 -0800

The latest dance craze to inspire YouTube dance fiends is Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)". There's a Big Girl Remix, a Single Man version (the original became so popular that the Single Man did a version with a more modest outfit at the request of BET), and lots of other individual interpretations. Beyonce has said her video was inspired by another YouTube video - a mashup of a Fosse dance routine performed by Gwen Verdon and the hip-hop song "Walk It Out" (the original Fosse routine with the original music). Videos might be NSFW.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:04:18 -0800

I definitely wanted to include the SNL parody with Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, but I couldn't find a legally posted version.

By: acro

acro — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:11:23 -0800

Wow. That Gwen Verdon one was awesome.

By: mandal

mandal — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:12:21 -0800

Does she have some kind of product to shift at the moment?

By: padraigin

padraigin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:12:21 -0800

Previously

By: dog food sugar

dog food sugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:15:31 -0800

When did Beyonce get a bionic arm? I'm so behind on all this.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:17:58 -0800

Perhaps Beyonce saw the video right here on Metafilter! Fess up- which one of you is Beyonce?

By: AwkwardPause

AwkwardPause — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:18:32 -0800

This is pretty awesome.

By: Divine_Wino

Divine_Wino — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:20:05 -0800

It's somehow very comforting to know that all over this country, at this very moment, pretty black men are cavorting frantically in unfinished basements. Dude you can dance your ass off, now get some wall to wall in there and finish up the drywall, damn!

By: piratebowling

piratebowling — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:23:26 -0800

And for your bean-plating needs: a feminist critique.

By: gman

gman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:30:49 -0800

I definitely wanted to include the SNL parody with Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, but I couldn't find a legally posted version. Here she be. For how long? Who knows. Sorry about the subtitles.

By: sararah

sararah — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:35:16 -0800

From piratebowling's link: "These are just a few examples trying to illustrate why Beyonce is one of the biggest, albeit flyest, proponents of a retrograde conservative ideology..." awesome.

By: cimbrog

cimbrog — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:46:12 -0800

And for your bean-plating needs: a feminist critique. Uh, yeah. I think someone doesn't have any idea of what's going on at the ground level.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:46:16 -0800

And for your bean-plating needs: a feminist critique. Interesting, thanks for sharing! I don't agree with the article, though- all the examples are lines pulled out of the context of the songs they're representing. She pulls lines out of Single Ladies, misquotes the lyrics and leaves out the most important part: Don't treat me to the things of the world I'm not that kind of girl Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve Here's 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 Trust me, I've been listening to this song nonstop for the past 3 days (because I'm trying to learn that dance), and it's not about rings. It's about love- telling a dude that you won't sit around forever waiting on him. How is that not empowering?

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:51:55 -0800

That article was okay and all, but if you like it you probably should put a ring on it.

By: piratebowling

piratebowling — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:57:32 -0800

Eh, I honestly don't know where I stand on the whole issue with the message of the song. A lot of it just really depends on what one's views of marriage are (it's a contract of partnership vs. a contract of ownership). Does the girl want the marriage because she wants a relationship of mutual dedication, or does she want to be the envy of every other woman in society? I just wanted to throw that link in the mix because that article was actually my introduction to the video. Ultimately, it's a dance song, and a damn catchy one at that, so excuse me while I go shake my booty.

By: macmac

macmac — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:03:10 -0800

Another feminist critique, from a slightly different perspective. But damn that girl can dance.

By: mandal

mandal — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:03:20 -0800

And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond Pull me into your arms She's marrying Buzz Lightyear?

By: Zambrano

Zambrano — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:09:34 -0800

Pointless and rather sad. Almost depressing.

By: ferdydurke

ferdydurke — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:12:44 -0800

My god, this is great! It's so great that every record store clerk with a college radio show should play this single at the top of every hour before turning to more Deerhoof.

By: schroedinger

schroedinger — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:20:09 -0800

I'd ~~hit it~~ approach her in a respectful manner (or preferably seek an introduction through mutual friends), ask her to coffee, follow up with dinner only if we had intellectual chemistry as well as physical, and then pursue a serious, healthy, long-term relationship. A serious, healthy, long-term relationship involving lots and lots of sex.

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:30:37 -0800

In response to this I don't see a man who doesn't want to marry you as a "motherfucker" who is stringing you along for "sadistic pleasure". A guy refused her proposal, and she ditched him. He didn't or couldn't give her what she wanted, so she got pissed off and left him. Now he is sad, and she is dancing up on other guys. Saying that she gave him an "ultimatum" is like putting it through an "only boys can propose" filter where any aggressive push for marriage from a female is either shrewish or pathetic. Also, grouping Alanis Morisette with Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry is bizarre. Unless Katy Perry is Canadian.

By: stinkycheese

stinkycheese — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:33:00 -0800

Twenty-five thousand comments on the original Youtube video!?!? That's kind of insane. That puts some Meta threads here in a whole different light for me.

By: stvspl

stvspl — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:33:01 -0800

Such a fantastic single and the coolest video in a long time. The Gwen thing is awesome too. If this dance gets half the attention that the Soulja Boy thing did, dance floors will be fun again.

By: mai

mai — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:39:40 -0800

I'd hit it Damn you, schroedinger!

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:46:11 -0800

If this dance gets half the attention that the Soulja Boy thing did, dance floors will be fun again. This dance is waaaaaay harder than the Soulja Boy dance. The Soulja Boy dance was made for the dance floor- it's pratically the Electric Slide. This dance was made for a professional dancer. Doesn't meant the rest of us won't try, though!

By: doctorschlock

doctorschlock — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:50:08 -0800

I wish Karen Carpenter could have looked and danced like that.

By: Dormant Gorilla

Dormant Gorilla — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:56:53 -0800

Perhaps Beyonce saw the video right here on Metafilter! Fess up- which one of you is Beyonce? Ok, I'll admit it. It's me.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:05:48 -0800

Ok, I'll admit it. It's me. We are all Beyonce today.

By: grapefruitmoon

grapefruitmoon — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:07:10 -0800

Fess up- which one of you is Beyonce? Fun fact, Beyoncé Knowles and I were born on the same day. Sep. 4, 1981 was a quality day in history.

By: progosk

progosk — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:10:26 -0800

I definitely wanted to include the SNL parody with Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, but I couldn't find a legally posted version. Here's that version, without subtitles (just for sharing among friends - nothin illegal 'bout that...). The login, if it asks you for one, is ringonit

By: filthy light thief

filthy light thief — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:21:53 -0800

I was about to say it's good to hear some catchy, positive lyrics, and use Rihanna's Lemme Get That as a counterpoint for everything wrong with female vocals written by men. But then I went and looked at who had writing credit for the songs: both have Terius "The-Dream" Nash involved. Maybe the other guys were more of the lyrics behind the songs, maybe not. Damn you, catchy production with crappy lyrics! And damn my knowledge of the English language! If I didn't understand the words, I could appreciate so much more pop music.

By: progosk

progosk — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:24:41 -0800

Also: more anatomy of the choreography.

By: uncleozzy

uncleozzy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:25:05 -0800

Holy cats, it's like she's shrieking at someone down the block.

By: chunking express

chunking express — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:25:52 -0800

No one writes a "dude your ass is lame I'm off to find someone better" song than Beyonce. I'm not sure where the hate is coming from. Also, Meow.

By: winna

winna — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:26:00 -0800

That dance is a Gwen Verdon/Bob Fosse number, just sped up a very little bit. Nice to see that work still resonates with the people.

By: winna

winna — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:26:54 -0800

I guess I should have read the whole post before replying! Ack!

By: Skot

Skot — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:32:09 -0800

WHEN THE FUCK IS BEYONCE GOING TO UPGRADE ME ALREADY, MAN? I WAIT AND WAIT!

By: schroedinger

schroedinger — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:34:48 -0800

For a more serious analysis, those who get upset about the marriage message should consider the context. A lot of hip-hop, rap, and R&B music these days is focused on the promotion of single, purely sexual relationships. A number of leaders in urban communities have problems with this as they feel it's glamorizing what they see is a crisis of the African-American family: A tendency away from two-parent families and fatherly involvement, and towards encouraging guys to ditch their baby-mommas and baby mommas to go at it alone. So this song is remarkable not only that it brings up marriage at all, but rather than advocating quick hook-ups or casual relationships it demands a guy with an interest in a woman promise real, long-term, binding commitment.

By: ruelle

ruelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:39:19 -0800

I just want to go on record that both the song and the dance is awesome, awesome.

By: geos

geos — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:31:37 -0800

why does she appear to have a robot hand? is that what she means by putting a ring on 'it'? goes with the mario power-up sound in the track.

By: geos

geos — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:34:18 -0800

also, as counterpoint...

By: Hachijuhachi

Hachijuhachi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:40:09 -0800

also, as counterpoint... Man, Geos, you had the music dork in me expecting counterpoint. Oh well.

By: LMGM

LMGM — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:11:15 -0800

Wow. To Single Man: congrats on your teeny yet very taut butt. However, the over the shoulder banana hammock thingy with the shrug doesn't work. Full drag would've been better, IMHO, but you could've also done hot pants and pasties, I suppose. Hooray for Bob Fosse haunting mainstream pop videos. I'm always fond of well-executed "isolation" moves (i.e., fast hip isolations, moving your shoulders on a different line from the rest of your torso, etc). Also: Justin Timberlake in a leotard. I just discovered that I've waited all my life to type that sentence.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:34:27 -0800

However, the over the shoulder banana hammock thingy with the shrug doesn't work. Speak for yourself! I love it. If I looked like that, I'd wear that outfit all damn day long. Although he looks a lot less skinny in real clothes, which is a plus- another pound or two might not hurt.

By: TheWhiteSkull

TheWhiteSkull — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:39:53 -0800

I spent a lot of time yesterday on another blog (one that is often the target of derision on the blue) discussing the relative merits of old hardcore bands and their suitability for guitar hero/rock band. Now I can't stop listening to the new Beyonce single. That is a heck of a hook.

By: kkokkodalk

kkokkodalk — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:52:58 -0800

Pink: I'm going to try and learn this dance too. We need one more person then we can perform this at karaoke. We'll do this and the Wondergirls song, and it'll be awesome. Like some kind of a cover band, but for pop dance routines.

By: goo

goo — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:22:47 -0800

I'll learn it too tps! It's harder than soulja boy because your knees are bent the entire time - all your weight is on your thighs. Beyonce can bear it because she has The Best Thighs Evar (comes with awesome booty - I bet the Williams sisters would find it a doddle). She has songwriting credit (along with others) - I wonder if she chose the song in response to her own marriage after years of public (and probably personal) speculation? Anyway, she looks great. I love the 'Walk It Out' clip with Gwen Verdon. It's one of my favourite mashups ever!

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:09:09 -0800

That original Beyoncé video is incredible. What *amazing* dancing! Such beautiful bodies. Just yesterday I wandered over to hear this 16 year old northern British girl, whose singing I like, (especially her No One) Chantelle Readman, to see what new vid she had done. Her dad filmed her a couple of years ago and rocketed his daughter into YT celebrity. Her latest is Beyoncé's If I Were A Boy, then checked out the original Beyoncé's excellent If I Were A Boy. A question. Where did the bottom smacking gesture in that dance originally come from? It's been around a while. Anybody have any idea?

By: Kwantsar

Kwantsar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:29:51 -0800

The corpus from which Beyonce borrows could have been far, far greater, were it not for the poor sportsmanship of one Peter Edward Rose, Sr..

By: Burhanistan

Burhanistan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:39:06 -0800

I can't be the only one who finds Beyonce's "dancing" to resemble something like contemptuous aggression. Totally disheartening to see humans using their joints and muscles in that manner.

By: Maisie Jay

Maisie Jay — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:52:46 -0800

I've been learning the dance too. It actually is easier in high heels, you can rock back and lean on the heels for the thigh-centric moves. I also found it easier to mute the music while I run through the steps the first couple of times.

By: Ambrosia Voyeur

Ambrosia Voyeur — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:22:53 -0800

I put a ring on it! BY IT I MEAN YOU SHEEPLE YOU ARE AN IT TO ME pwnt

By: mdonley

mdonley — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:17:44 -0800

I need to go to work but I keep watching this video. It's hard to practice my newly-learned moves in my cubicle.

By: spec80

spec80 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:05:01 -0800

Nobody's mentioned the possible drag queen dancer in the video? I need MeFi's analysis of this! The dancer I'm refering to is the one they never do a close up. The one with black hair.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:03:41 -0800

Beyonce said they're both women.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:53:57 -0800

The Single Ladies Man on the Bonnie Hunt Show!

By: Zambrano

Zambrano — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:24:29 -0800

Meantime, Beyonce's husband is getting more tail than Sinatra.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:47:38 -0800

Well, I finally got around to watching some of these. Jesus that song is shit, or am I unable to hear all the good frequencies?

By: exogenous

exogenous — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:35:47 -0800

The former. I liked the Fosse videos though.

By: desjardins

desjardins — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:08:28 -0800

pffft, I'll respect Shane Mercado when he can do that dance in 5" heels.

By: desjardins

desjardins — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:15:57 -0800

Also, WORST. EARWORM. EVER.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:37:45 -0800

Round man does the dance.

By: Ambrosia Voyeur

Ambrosia Voyeur — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:29:38 -0800

Single Man, bubeleh, PUT YOUR HEELS ON, poser.

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:57:42 -0800

NYC METAFILTER DANCE SQUAD.

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:05:58 -0800

Which is to say, do I live anywhere near TPS and kkokkodalk, because I too am learning this dance.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:04:08 -0800

WOO HOO NYC DANCE TEAM

By: jack_mo

jack_mo — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:28:38 -0800

Shame, all the tribute videos are no longer available. Still, the Beyonce one, and the Fosse routine that inspired it are both bloody spectacular.

By: dasheekeejones

dasheekeejones — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:53:27 -0800

Single ladies put a ring on it... and deal with divorce court expenses. Seems staying single would be cheaper.

By: ThePinkSuperhero

ThePinkSuperhero — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:22:53 -0800

Beyonce meets the Single Man dancer!