release a single

Meaning

To make an individual song available to the public for sale, streaming, or broadcast, usually as a promotional preview for an upcoming full album. It is a standard music industry term.

Examples

• The pop star plans to release a single next month to build excitement for her tour.

  The pop star plans to release a single next month to build excitement for her tour.

• They decided to release a single first before launching the full album.

  They decided to release a single first before launching the full album.

• It is much easier for independent artists to release a single on streaming platforms today.

  It is much easier for independent artists to release a single on streaming platforms today.

• Did they release a single from their new record yet?

  Did they release a single from their new record yet?

• The band hopes to release a single that will get played on mainstream radio.

  The band hopes to release a single that will get played on mainstream radio.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The band will publish a single next Friday.

  ✓ The band will release a single next Friday.

  In the creative industries, music is 'released' or 'dropped', while books or articles are 'published'.

• ✗ They want to release a single song.

  ✓ They want to release a single.

  In music, 'a single' is a noun that already means a single song, making 'song' redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• They are going to ___ to promote their upcoming album.

  💡 Put out an individual song for streaming/sale.

  Show answer

  release a single

• The easiest way to get noticed is to ___ on Spotify and see how people react.

  💡 Put out one song.

  Show answer

  release a single