"Joy" is a 1993 song by British house music studio project Staxx, assembled by producers Simon Thorne and Tom Jones. It was released as a single only and features singer Carol Leeming, becoming a number-one hit on both the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart[1] and the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number 25. In 1997, the song was released in a new remix, this time reaching number 14 in the UK.

"Joy"
Single by Staxx featuring Carol Leeming
B-side	"Remix"
Released	1993
Genre	Eurodance house
Length	3:37 (Love Joy Serious vocal edit) 3:22 (original edit)
Label	Champion Free Spirit
Songwriter(s)	Simon Thorne Tom Jones
Producer(s)	Simon Thorne Tom Jones
Staxx featuring Carol Leeming singles chronology
"Joy" (1993) "You" (1995)
Music video
"Joy" on YouTube

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "this smokin' anthem is cast in a mold similar to Culture Beat's "Mr. Vain", wrapping a brain-embedding hook around a rapid, percolating beatbase. [...] Icing on the cake is Carol Leeming's spirited vocal appearance on several mixes."[2] In the magazine's single review, he also noted that it "has a roaring and frenetic rave-ish undercurrent", complimenting the singer as "a charming presence, playfully wrapping her feline voice around the song's ear-catching chorus and refrain."[3] Maria Jimenez from Music & Media stated that the track "is spreading like musical wildfire."[4] James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update described it as a "typically excellent Carol Leeming wailed and scatted catchy soul-funk-gospel-garage-house with so many "joy"-ful influences that it's instantly familiar".[5] Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty deemed it a "delectable dance tune to liven up your current library of down-tempo jams and ballads."[6] David Petrilla from The Weekender concluded that "this song deserves all the attention it will get. It's upbeat, happy, well produced and performed. 'Joy' has what it takes to enjoy a long stay in most DJs play stacks. I wouldn't be surprised if it even crosses over to radio, but remember you heard it first on the dance floor!"[7]

On the 1997 remix, Chris Finan from Music Week's RM Dance Update gave it four out of five, commenting, "Far and away a cracking record in its own right, Champion relives the moment with some deft reworkings by Grand Larceny and Monde. The best way to update this would have been to stick closely to all the hooks that made it the first time and that's exactly what's been done. Mondo just updates the tune, retaining the complete Carol Leeming vocal and using similar synth hooks over the top. An old favourite that will probably become a new favourite."[8]

Chart performance

"Joy" was a major hit in the clubs and on the charts in several countries, peaking at number-one on both the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US (in February 1994) and the RPM Dance/Urban chart in Canada (in May 1994). In Europe, it was a top 20 hit in Denmark and a top 30 hit in Switzerland and the UK. In the latter, it peaked at number 25 in its third week at the UK Singles Chart, on October 10, 1993.[9] But on the UK Dance Singles Chart, it hit number two. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached its highest position as number 70, while on the European Dance Radio Chart, it peaked at number six. In Australia, it reached number 90.

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by British director Lindy Heymann.[10] It features singer Carol Leeming and two dancers performing in an empty swimming pool. The video was later published on YouTube in July 2009.[11]

Track listing

Charts

See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart

References