Beyonce - Love On Top

Album 4
Released December 7, 2011
Recorded 2011, MSR Studios
(New York City; New York), Real World Studios
(Box, Wiltshire; UK)
Writer(s) Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, Shea Taylor
Producer Beyoncé Knowles, Shea Taylor

"Love on Top" is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her fourth studio album 4 (2011). It was written by Knowles, Terius Nash and Shea Taylor; and production was handled by Knowles and Taylor. Knowles took inspiration from her state of mind while playing Etta James. A throw-back to the 1980s music, the up-tempo R&B song exhibits similar styles of Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and The Jackson 5. While incorporating six key changes, Knowles also adopts her high range when repeating the song's chorus towards the end of the song. She sings about a man who she can always call, even after facing grief and hard work, finally earning his love and respect.

"Love on Top"'s musical composition, as well as Knowles' vocals and versatility, surprised critics. In July 2011, the song charted at number three for three consecutive weeks in South Korea. Knowles also sang "Love on Top" at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, announcing her pregnancy at the end of her live performance. This caused the upsurge of the song on to several charts worldwide. It appeared at number 75 in the United Kingdom and at number 14 in New Zealand. The song also debuted at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the second highest debut of Knowles' career as a solo artist. It has so far peaked at number 20 in Australia and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Mainly inspired by the work of the American band, New Edition, the accompanying music video for "Love on Top" shows Knowles along with five male dancers, performing choreographed moves in a penthouse studio in New York City overlooking the Hudson River towards New Jersey. Critics generally commended the simplicity of the video, the wardrobe changes with every key change, and Knowles' youthful exuberance throughout the clip. The song was part of Knowles' set list for her revue, 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé. Critics commented that the song was even more impressive in person and that going through four key changes towards the last two minutes of the song while performing it live, remains a difficult task.Background

Knowles singing "Love on Top" during the music video, with male back-up dancers in the background.

A preview of the music video for "Love on Top" was shown on the Australian television program, Sunday Night, on October 9, 2011. The visuals showed Knowles in a black leotard, stockings, high-top sneakers, and medal-adorned military cap. Together with her five male dancers, they perform choreographed moves in a penthouse studio overlooking New York City. The preview was inspired to the music video for "If It Isn't Love" by American band New Edition. The full video was initially supposed to be premiered on October 17, 2011 on Australia's Today Show. However, the release date was pushed up and it was released on October 16, 2011 instead. That same day, Knowles posted the following statement regarding the video on her official website:

I am excited to give my Australian fans the World Premiere of 'Love On Top'! Thank you for the amazing response to the song at radio. I have worked very hard on this video, this song is special to me and I had an idea for the video based on some of my favorite male groups. I remember seeing videos from New Edition, The Jackson 5 and the Temptations, bands I love for their beautiful harmonies, and precise choreography and I always wanted to make a video and be part of a boy group myself. It was so much fun. I put my heart and soul into 'Love On Top' and I hope you love it.

After the release of the sneak peak, Michael Bivins of the New Edition told Theybf.com, "When I saw Beyonce on the MTV awards in the sequined jacket this year and with the dancers in R&B group positions, I knew then she was showing love to NE! The video teaser was part two... the classic video 'If It Isn't Love' reference." After the release of the full video, Johnny Gill told S2S magazine that he considers "Love on Top"'s video to be a tribute and that Knowles as well as her backup dancers did a great job of capturing New Edition's essence. In his opinion, that is why "she is one of the greatest living performers." He went on to say, "[The video] was so cool. There's no more Michael Jackson but I think she's a beast to begin with. It's such an honor to have someone who knew, and knows, her history and to be aware of where it all started.

YOUTUBE VIDEO
Love On Top MP3

Love On Top Lyrics
Bring the beat in!

Honey, honey
I can see the stars all the way from here
Can't you see the glow on the window pane?
I can feel the sun whenever you're near
Every time you touch me I just melt away

Now everybody asks me why I'm smiling out from ear to ear (They say love hurts)
But I know (It's gonna take a little work)
Nothing's perfect, but it's worth it after fighting through my tears
And finally you put me first

Baby it's you.
You're the one I love.
You're the one I need.
You're the only one I see.
Come on baby it's you.

You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I can always call.
When I need you make everything stop.
Finally you put my love on top.

Ooh! Come on baby.
You put my love on top, top, top, top, top.
You put my love on top.
Ooh oooh! Come on baby.
You put my love on top, top, top, top, top.
My love on top.
My love on top.

Come on baby
I can hear the wind whipping past my face.
As we dance the night away.
Boy your lips taste like a night of champagne.
As I kiss you again, and again, and again and again.

Now everybody asks me why I'm smiling out from ear to ear (They say love hurts)
But I know (It's gonna take a little work)
Nothing's perfect, but it's worth it after fighting through my tears.
And finally you put me first.

Baby it's you.
You're the one I love.
You're the one I need.
You're the only one I see.
Come on baby it's you.
You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I can always call.
When I need you make everything stop.
Finally you put my love on top.

Oh! Baby.
You put my love on top, top, top, top, top.
You put my love on top.
Oh Oh! Come on baby.
You put my love on top, top, top, top, top.
My love on top.

Baby it's you.
You're the one I love.
You're the one I need.
You're the only thing I see.
Come on baby it's you.
You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I can always call.
When I need you baby everything stops.
Finally you put my love on top.

Baby, you're the one I love.
Baby, you're all I need.
You're the only one I see.
Come on baby it's you.
You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I can always call.
When I need you everything stops.
Finally you put my love on top

Baby.
'Cause you're the one that I love.
Baby you're the one that I need.
You're the only man I see.
Baby baby it's you.
You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I always call.
When I need you everything stops.
Finally you put my love on top

Baby.
'Cause you're the one that I love.
Baby you're the one that I need.
You're the only one I see.
Baby, baby, it's you.
You're the one that gives your all.
You're the one I always call.
When I need you everything stops.
Finally you put my love on top

Posted in: Beyoncé