Joy (Staxx song)

The song received positive reviews from most music critics. 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] The magazine also commented that the track "has a roaring and frenetic rave-ish undercurrent" and complimented the singer as "a charming presence, playfully wrapping her feline voice around the song's ear-catching chorus and refrain."[3] Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty described it as a "delectable dance tune to liven up your current library of down-tempo jams and ballads."[4]

"Joy" was a major hit on the charts in several countries and managed to peak at number-one on both the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play in the United States and the RPM Dance Chart in Canada. In Europe, the single climbed into the Top 20 in Denmark and the Top 30 in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it peaked at number 25 in its third week at the UK Singles Chart, on October 10, 1993.[5] On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Joy" reached number 70, but on the European Dance Radio Chart, it was a even bigger hit, peaking at number 6. In Australia, it went to number 90.

The music video of "Joy" was directed by British director Lindy Heymann.[6] It features singer Carol Leeming and two dancers performing in an empty swimming pool. The video was uploaded to YouTube in July 2009.[7]

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