"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.
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.
