Joy (Soul II Soul song)

"Joy" is a 1992 song by British R&B band Soul II Soul. It was released as the first single from their third album, Volume III Just Right. It features Jamaican singer and producer Richie Stephens and was a hit in many European countries. The song peaked at number 3 in Greece, number 4 in the United Kingdom, number 11 in Ireland, number 19 in the Netherlands and number 21 in Germany and Switzerland. Outside Europe, "Joy" peaked at number 18 in New Zealand and number 41 in Australia.

"Joy"
Single by Soul II Soul featuring Richie Stephens
from the album Volume III Just Right
Released1992
Genre
Length4:13
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Soul II Soul singles chronology
"Missing You"
(1990)		 "Joy"
(1992)		 "Move Me No Mountain"
(1992)
Music video
"Joy" on YouTube

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "slinky funk/R&B jam that is enlivened by jazz-spiced flutes and plush string fills. Though far from the act's best material, track is head-and-shoulders above typical urban and pop radio fodder." He noted that remixes by Brand New Heavies "kick hard and should inspire club play".[1] Marisa Fox from Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Jamaica's Richie Stephens breathes some steam into the dance-hall-style "Joy"."[2] Cary Darling from Orange County Register said that the song, sung by Stephens and backed by a gospel choir, "recaptures the motion and emotion of "Keep on Movin'"".[3] In her review of Volume III Just Right, Orla Swift from Record-Journal labeled it as "soulful".[4] James Hamilton from Record Mirror called it a "lurching jiggly" track, "throatily wailed by Richie Stephens through gospel-style girls hypnotically chorusing "joy, it's a new sensation, new vibration rockin' the nation"".[5] Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits stated that the song is the "jolliest tune" of the album.

Track listing
12" single, US (1992)
No.TitleLength
1."Joy" (New Vibrations Mix)6:43
2."Joy" (Spag 'N Joy Dub)5:19
3."Joy" (Radio Mix)4:12
4."Joy" (12" Club Mix)5:49
5."Joy" (BNH Mix)5:10
6."Joy" (GNL Peace Version)5:19
CD single, Europe (1992)
No.TitleLength
1."Joy" (Radio Mix)4:13
2."Joy" (Brand New Heavies Remix)5:12
3."Joy" (Album Mix)4:32
4."Joy" (Club Mix)5:50
5."Joy" (Instrumental Dub Mix)3:49

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 41
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 24
Germany (Official German Charts) 21
Greece (Virgin)[8] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 18
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] 21
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 4
UK Music Week Dance Singles[15] 3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 14
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[17] 4

References
  1. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 11 April 1992. p. 74. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  2. "Volume III Just Right". Entertainment Weekly. 8 May 1992. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  3. "Album reviews: "Volume III: Just Right"". Orange County Register. 26 June 1992. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  4. "Soul II Soul's 'Just Right' just fine". Record-Journal. 8 May 1992. p. 25. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. "DJ Directory: Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Record Mirror. 21 March 1992. p. 6. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. "Australian-charts.com – Soul II Soul – Joy". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  7. "Ultratop.be – Soul II Soul – Joy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  8. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 18. 2 May 1992. p. 34. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jou". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Soul II Soul" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  11. "Dutchcharts.nl – Soul II Soul – Joy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  12. "Charts.nz – Soul II Soul – Joy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  13. "Swedishcharts.com – Soul II Soul – Joy". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Soul II Soul – Joy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 April 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  16. "Soul II Soul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
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