Joyride (Roxette song)

"Joyride" is a song by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. Written by Per Gessle, it was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Joyride (1991), the follow-up to the duo's highly successful second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). It became one of Roxette's biggest hits, and was one of the most successful singles of 1991, topping multiple record charts across Europe, as well as in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

"Joyride"
Single by Roxette
from the album Joyride
B-side"Come Back (Before You Leave)"
Released27 February 1991
RecordedJuly 1990
StudioEMI Studios, Stockholm
Genre
Length
  • 4:24 (album version)
  • 4:00 (7-inch single)
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Per Gessle
Producer(s)Clarence Öfwerman
Roxette singles chronology
"It Must Have Been Love"
(1990)		 "Joyride"
(1991)		 "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)"
(1991)
Music video
"Joyride" on YouTube

Recording and release

Per Gessle has said that the opening line of the song was inspired by a note his girlfriend (now wife) left on his piano, which read: "Hej, din tok, jag älskar dig" ("Hello, you fool, I love you").[1] Its title was derived from an interview in which Paul McCartney compared writing songs with John Lennon to "a long joyride". Roxette's former tour manager Dave Edwards is credited with narration on the song.[2]

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as a "chanting carnival" in his review of the Joyride album.[3] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "playful pop/rock ditty with a catchy chorus that is destined to make a quick sprint up the charts."[4] Jim Farber from Entertainment Weekly noted that "they blithely toss a bit of whistling into "Joyride", next to some psychedelic Beatles-like flourishes."[5] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "Plenty of reason for joy in Top 40 land as Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson deliver the first of a new batch of songs. Wisely, the Swedish duo retain "Look Sharp" producer Clarence Ofwerman, and, once again it's clear all three understand the way to a pop music fan's heart. Roxette has re-applied that happy, feelgood formula to making mass appeal records, and it's earned them instant recognition and remarkable chart success. This title track from their new album is certain to not only meet everyone's expectations, but surpass them."[6] Music & Media stated that the song "is a perfect example of their pop sensibilities."[7]

Brendon Veevers from Renowned for Sound commented, "There isn't a soul alive who cannot say they don’t love this track – Roxette fan or not. It's pop at its finest and the video is equally as memorable; the band speeding down a U.S highway, playing guitar on top of a red corvette."[8] Rolling Stones J.D. Considine said that the song is "decked out in a glossy, Sgt. Pepper-style arrangement".[9] Mark Frith from Smash Hits labeled it as a "over-the-top" pop song, "with catchy choruses that remind you slightly of those other musical Swedes, Abba."[10] A writer for Cleveland.com ranked "Joyride" the 46th best Billboard Hot 100 number one of the 1990s, saying: "Even more so than the group's biggest hit, 'It Must Have Been Love,' 'Joyride' showed off Per Gessle's ability to craft fantastic pop-rock songs. The song's pop spirit and rock swagger mesh seamlessly."[11]

Commercial performance

The song became one of the duo's biggest hits and was one of the most successful singles of 1991. It was their first number one single in their home country[12] and their first platinum-certified single there.[13] It also topped the charts in numerous other territories, including Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Switzerland. The song spent eight weeks at number one in Germany,[14] where it was certified gold by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie for sales in excess of 250,000 copies.[15] "Joyride" peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart, their second-highest chart placing there—behind top three hit "It Must Have Been Love".[16]

The song spent three weeks atop the Australian Singles Chart,[17] and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments in excess of 70,000 units.[18] It went on to remain one of the top ten-best selling singles of the year in that country.[18] It was their fourth and last number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[19] It also topped the national RPM singles chart in Canada,[20] where it was certified gold by Music Canada (formerly the Canadian Recording Industry Association) for shipments in excess of 50,000 units,[21] and nominated for a Juno Award in 1992 for Best Selling Single by a Foreign Artist.[22]

During the 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the song was used as the intro music of the Vancouver Canucks as they took to the ice before each game.[2]

Formats and track listings

All songs written and composed by Per Gessle.

  • Cassette and 7-inch single (Sweden 1364002 · UK TCEM177 · US 4JM-50342)
  1. "Joyride" (7" Version) – 3:58
  2. "Come Back (Before You Leave)" – 4:34
  • 12-inch single (Sweden 1364006 · Germany 1C-060-1364006)
  1. "Joyride" (12" Version / magicfriendmix) – 6:08
  2. "Joyride" (7" Version) – 3:58
  3. "Come Back (Before You Leave)" – 4:34
  • CD single (Sweden 1364002 · UK CDEM177)
  1. "Joyride" (7" Version) – 3:58
  2. "Come Back (Before You Leave)" – 4:34
  3. "Joyride" (12" Version / magicfriendmix) – 6:08
  4. "Joyride" (US Remix) – 4:04

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06.[23]

  • Recorded at EMI Studios in Stockholm, Sweden in July 1990.
  • Mixed by Alar Suurna, Per Gessle and Clarence Öfwerman at EMI Studios in Stockholm.

Musicians

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[58] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 50,000^
Germany (BVMI)[15] Gold 250,000^
Sweden (GLF)[13] Platinum 50,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
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  2. "Once Upon a Time in the Top Spot: Roxette, "Joyride"". Rhino Entertainment. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
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  4. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 16 February 1991. p. 71. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  5. "Joyride". Entertainment Weekly. 19 April 1991. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  6. Dave Sholin (15 February 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1843. p. 100. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  7. "Spotlight: Roxette" (PDF). Music & Media. 30 March 1991. p. 13. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. Veevers, Brendon (11 December 2013). "TOP 10 ROXETTE POP HITS". Renowned for Sound. Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. J.D. Considine (27 June 1991). "Roxette: Joyride : Music Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  10. "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. No. 321. 20 March 1991. p. 44. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
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