Joy (Staxx song)
"Joy" is a 1993 song by British house music studio project Staxx, assembled by producers Simon Thorne and Tom Jones. It features singer Carol Leeming and was a number-one hit on both the "Billboard" Hot Dance Club Play chart and the Canadian "RPM" Dance chart. In 1997, it was released in a new remix, peaking at number 14 in the UK. 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." 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." 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". Wendi Cermak from "The Network Forty" deemed it a "delectable dance tune  to liven up your current library of down-tempo jams and ballads." David Petrilla from "The Weekender" stated 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!" 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 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. 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 was a bigger hit, peaking 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. It features singer Carol Leeming and two dancers performing in an empty swimming pool. The video was later published on YouTube in July 2009.