In (Mild) Defense of Liza Minnelli’s ‘Single Ladies’

Yes, Liza Minnelli’s version of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” for the motion picture Sex and the City 2, is a little bit harsh, particularly around the 2:05 mark. But it is also Classic Liza, in the way that whenever Liza performs for comedic effect, it usually ends up sounding something like this, perhaps because her instrument is obstructed by her tongue inserted firmly into her cheek.

Also, we are listening to the audio track without any visuals, which means we miss Ms. Minnelli in action during the film, performing at the gay wedding (that’s the scene this is from, right?), where Cameras 2 and 3, zooming in between Liza’s legs and around her headspace will distract you from the vocals.

What Liza should be criticized for, if anything, is performing “Single Ladies” at all. It immediately dates Sex 2, making the film feel like some relic from 2009. She should’ve done Ke$ha’s “Tick Tock.”