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After all, it wasn’t that long Roxette’s period of American visibility really only lasted about two years. Maybe Roxette had nothing to do with the Hot 100, but once they got there, they stayed there longer than anyone logically thought possible. After that bit of luck, their mind-boggling nonsense stunner “The Look” somehow made it all the way to #1. The Swedish duo exploded in the United States after an American exchange student brought their CD to his radio station in Minneapolis. Roxette had one of the best random-ass pop-chart origin stories of all time. The song’s pop spirit and rock swagger mesh seamlessly.In The Number Ones I review every number 1 single in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, starting with the beginning of the chart, in 1958, and working through to the present. 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.” A writer for 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. Considine said that the song is “decked out in a glossy, Sgt. 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. This title track from their new album is certain to not only meet everyone’s expectations, but surpass them.” Music & Media stated that the song “is a perfect example of their pop sensibilities.”īrendon 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. Roxette has re-applied that happy, feelgood formula to making mass appeal records, and it’s earned them instant recognition and remarkable chart success. 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. 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.” Jim Farber from Entertainment Weekly noted that “they blithely toss a bit of whistling into “Joyride”, next to some psychedelic Beatles-like flourishes.” 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. Some comments about the song: (and our friend Brendon calls the Ferrari Dino a Corvette, but we’ll let it slide this time…)ĪllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as a “chanting carnival” in his review of the Joyride album. The Vancouver Canucks used the song in the 1994 Stanley cup playoffs when entering the ice! The chorus “Hello you fool, I love you!” was inspired by a note Per got from his wife Åsa and the title comes from a Paul McCartney quote about writing songs with John Lennon being “a long joyride.” It was #1 in at least 17 countries, of which France wasn’t one of them, where it peaked at #39… merci beaucoup froglegs. It sold Gold in Canada, Germany and Austria, while Platinum in Sweden and Australia. “ Joyride” was a super hit all over the world. The Swedish 7″ has an engraving in the center: “Was it really necessary to whistle?” Who can forget the guitar lick, most likely composed by the almighty MP? And not to mention the whistling. Of course I was wrong, and after getting the 7″ singles, four of them with different sleeves, the CD single and the 12″ remix single with the MagicFriends mix, I totally changed my mind, and after 30 years it still is a favorite of mine. “Was this it?” After “The Look,” “Dressed for Success” and “Listen to Your Heart”? I heard it and I’d like to say the whole world stopped, but I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest. They kept talking about it all morning, I don’t remember anymore, but I think the premiere was at 11am. I remember standing by the radio waiting for the premiere of the single. No today it’s 30 years ago “Joyride” was released.