"Joy" is a song by British musical collective Soul II Soul, released on 23 March 1992 by Virgin as the first single from their third album, Volume III Just Right (1992). The song, co-written and produced by Jazzie B, features Jamaican singer and producer Richie Stephens and was a hit in Europe. It peaked within the top-10 in Greece and the UK, and also became a top-20 hit in Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. Outside Europe, it reached number four in Zimbabwe, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 41 in Australia. A music video was produced to promote the single.
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "slinky funk/Contemporary 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 added that remixes by Brand New Heavies "kick hard and should inspire club play".[2] Andy Kastanas from The Charlotte Observer deemed it "a much more mainstream sound than ever before, this new track typifies their usual sound."[3] Marisa Fox from Entertainment Weekly noted that "Jamaica's Richie Stephens breathes some steam" into the dance-hall-style "Joy".[4]
James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update 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] Cary Darling from Orange County Register said that sung by Stephens and backed by a gospel choir, the song "recaptures the motion and emotion" of "Keep on Movin'".[6] Orla Swift from Record-Journal viewed it as "soulful".[7]Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits named it the "jolliest tune" of the album.[8]
