The music video for " Love on Top " was directed by Ed Burke and Beyoncé . A preview of the clip was shown on the Australian television program , '' Sunday Night '' , on October 9 , 2011 . The visuals showed Beyoncé in a black leotard , stockings , high-top sneakers , and medal-adorned Czech military cap . Together with her five male dancers , they perform choreographed moves at Canoe Studios , a penthouse studio in West Chelsea overlooking New York City . The preview was inspired by the music video for " If It Is n't Love " by American band New Edition and was described as " stripped-down " by Tom Ayres of Digital Spy . 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 a day and it was released on October 16 , 2011 , instead . That same day , Beyoncé 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 peek , 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 Is n'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 Beyoncé 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 . " Although the song is 4 minutes and 27 seconds long , the video is 3 minutes and 17 seconds long due to the omission of the second verse . Erika Ramirez of '' Billboard '' magazine and Melissa Maerz of '' Entertainment Weekly '' highlighted the fact that Beyoncé wears several different clothes including the dress that was worn during her performance at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards . The clip starts with a casually dressed Beyoncé moving in coordination with her male back-up dancers who are also wearing casual clothes and Nike Dunks . Wearing a black body suit with black hose , Beyoncé puts on a display of footwork before breaking into the song . About halfway through , the visuals suddenly switch to night as the singer lights up the space in various formal looks , including a gold pantsuit , white suit , and finally a tuxedo complete with coattails , top hat , and cane . The choreography from here resembles that of the 1960s male groups . The wardrobe changes in fact correspond with every key change , except the final one . The video ends with Beyoncé yelling " cut ! " and the shot returns to them at rehearsal
2011 MTV Video Music Awards
2011 MTV Video Music Awards
Love On Top