Ring Off

Album: Beyoncé Platinum Edition (2014)
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Songfacts®:

  • Beyoncé Knowles' parents divorced in November 2011 after 31 years together. Their relationship broke down as a result of Matthew Knowles' infidelity. This song finds Beyoncé addressing her mom about the break down of her marriage:

    I was once the one who had his heart
    Until you had enough, then you took that ring off
    You took that ring off
    So tired of the lies and trying and fighting and crying
    You took that finger


    Beyoncé assures her mom at the end of the song that she is "gon' shine and put your love on top." The lyric is a reference to her 2011 hit "Love On Top."
  • The song finishes with a spoken word outro, which is an excerpt from an inspirational speech that Tina Knowles gave.
  • The song recalls another ring-focused Beyonce track, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)," though that one finds the Texan songstress urging girls to dump their men if they don't put a ring on their finger.

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