Music Review: Beyonce "Love On Top"

Beyonce

Love On Top

Album: 4

Year: 2012

        I got involved watching "Melancholia" last night and couldn't turn away. Probably the first Lars Von Trier movie that didn't traumatize me.

         Beyonce has found a considerate boyfriend in the radiant “Love On Top.”

        Rounded synths open the single as Beyonce asks to “bring the beat in,” setting a vintage tone. She’s in a fantastic mood. Her world has been heightened and she’s seems to be in tune with everything around her. When he smiles at her, the heat races to her face, covering it in red. She slips into his embrace, every worry dissolving into his hug. (“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.”)

         In the pre-chorus, her friends and family have noticed the positive change in her attitude. She’s constantly laughing and making jokes. She’s heard the horror stories from her friends and has had a few of her own to share. She realizes the blissful moments are going to lessen the longer they date and they’ll argue over one of them forgetting them. However, it’s a realistic. He’s the first guy she’s dated seriously in a long time. She was afraid to bring another man into her family only to have him betray her. Her current boyfriend has stood up for her and will keep her schedule in mind while planning things. (“Now everybody asks me why I'm smiling out from ear to ear (They say love hurts)/But I know (It's gonna take the real work)/Nothing's perfect, but it's worth it after fighting through my tears/And finally you put me first.”)

           In the chorus, she says she’s thinking about marrying him someday. For once, it seems as though buying a white wedding dress is not a faraway thought and something that will actually happen within in a year. She can’t imagine being with anyone else. A couple of guys have hit on her and there has no been interest on her part. She can rely on him and he’s a true best friend to her. Sometimes, when she’s overwhelmed with bills, family issues, and work, his presence alone calms her. He’s committed to the relationship. (“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, come on 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/My love on top.”)

           The band at the restaurant begins to play “I Only Have Eyes For You.” After she sips on her wine, he takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor on the patio. He twirls her around, keeping a protective hand on her waist the entire song. She goofs a bit, shaking her shoulders. He takes both of her hands in his and encloses her in his arms. His luscious lips linger on her mouth, gentle and mannered. (“Come on baby/I can feel 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.”)

          The pre-chorus is sung again.

          The chorus is sung once.

           Then, she repeats “Baby, it’s you/You’re the one I love..finally you put my love on top” section four times, raising it to a different octave each time to end the single.

           Beyonce’s blithe praising vocals are devout, grateful to have such a wonderful man taking care of her. Towards the end, the words grind in her throat as she gets raspy. But given her need to be flawless, the small imperfection is welcome.  

              The balmy “Love On Top” is a bright, sunny day.