Open Road (Gary Barlow album)
Open Road | ||||
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File:Openroadalbum.jpg | ||||
Studio album by Gary Barlow | ||||
Released | 26 May 1997 13 January 1998 (America) |
(Europe)|||
Recorded | 1996 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 50:54 | |||
Label | BMG, RCA, Arista | |||
Producer | Clive Davis (exec.), David Foster, Gary Barlow, Mike Rose, Nick Foster, Kristian Lundin, Max Martin, Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Stephen Lipson, Absolute, Grant Mitchell, Walter Afanasieff, Chris Porter, Simon Willis | |||
Gary Barlow chronology | ||||
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Singles from Open Road (European Version) | ||||
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Singles from Open Road (American Version) | ||||
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Open Road is the debut solo album by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. It was released by BMG and RCA Records on 26 May 1997 in Europe, and on 13 January 1998 in America.
Contents
Album information
Following the break-up of Take That, Barlow went straight into the recording studio and began recording a solo album. On 5 July 1996, the album's lead single, "Forever Love", was released, peaking at #1 on the UK Singles Chart. A second single, "Love Won't Wait", was released in April 1997, also peaking at number one.[1] On 26 May 1997, the album was subsequently released, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release.[1] The album was certified platinum.[2] Following the album's release, a further two singles, "So Help Me Girl" and "Open Road" were released, which charted at 11 and 7 respectively with the third single becoming Barlow's first solo material to chart in America.[1] The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide to date.[3]
International success
Following the success of the album in the United Kingdom and the album charting in over 21 countries internationally, Barlow set about releasing the album in the United States, and signed a record deal with Arista. He soon decided to re-work the album for the American market, and began promotion by releasing a remixed version of "So Help Me Girl" as the lead single, complete with a brand new video, on 30 September 1997. The album was subsequently released on 13 January 1998, and on 17 February, one of the new tracks for the American issue, "Superhero", was released as the second single. Although it became widely known for its use as the Yankees main theme, it failed to achieve any commercial success.
Critical reception
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
The San Diego Vista gave the album a positive review stating that as a "singer and songwriter [Barlow] demonstrates his potential as a successful solo artist on Open Road. The album shows a diversity of musical styles, many acoustic-based tracks, a few haunting ballads and some scintillating up-tempo dance numbers." Rodel goes on to state that "on the title track, "Open Road," Gary's brilliant songwriting abilities are showcased in all its glory. A song that he wrote at the young age of 16, "Open Road" reveals Gary's journey through life [making it] perhaps the best song on Gary's debut album."[5]
Track listing
European edition
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Love Won't Wait" | Madonna, Shep Pettibone | Stephen Lipson | 4:17 |
2. | "So Help Me Girl" | Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner | David Foster | 4:29 |
3. | "My Commitment" | Gary Barlow, Diane Warren | Walter Afanasieff | 4:48 |
4. | "Hang on in There Baby" | Johnny Bristol | Trevor Horn | 3:39 |
5. | "Are You Ready Now" | Gary Barlow | Grant Mitchell, Barlow | 4:19 |
6. | "Everything I Wanted" | Gary Barlow | Absolute | 3:32 |
7. | "I Fall So Deep" | Larry Loftin, Mattias Gustafsson, Amy Powers | Foster | 4:02 |
8. | "Lay Down for Love" | Gary Barlow, Richard Stannard, Matt Rowbottom | Mitchell, Barlow | 5:33 |
9. | "Forever Love" | Gary Barlow | Chris Porter, Barlow | 4:55 |
10. | "Never Knew" | Gary Barlow | Afanasieff | 3:50 |
11. | "Open Road" | Gary Barlow | Porter, Barlow, Absolute[a] | 4:23 |
12. | "Always" | Gary Barlow | Porter, Barlow | 3:32 |
Japanese edition bonus tracks | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
13. | "The Meaning of a Love Song" | Gary Barlow | Porter, Barlow | 3:37 |
14. | "Cuddly Toy" | Andrew Roachford | Mark Picchiotti | 3:42 |
Spanish edition bonus track | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
13. | "Ayúdame" | Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner, Nani Mano | Foster | 4:26 |
GB40 Anniversary Edition: Disc 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | "Love Won't Wait" | Madonna, Shep Pettibone | 4:17 |
2. | "So Help Me Girl" | Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner | 4:29 |
3. | "My Commitment" | Gary Barlow, Diane Warren | 4:48 |
4. | "Hang on in There, Baby" | Johnny Bristol | 3:39 |
5. | "Are You Ready Now" | Gary Barlow | 4:19 |
6. | "Everything I Wanted" | Gary Barlow | 3:32 |
7. | "I Fall So Deep" | Larry Loftin, Mattias Gustafsson, Amy Powers | 4:02 |
8. | "Lay Down For Love" | Gary Barlow, Richard Stannard, Matt Rowbottom | 5:33 |
9. | "Forever Love" | Gary Barlow | 4:55 |
10. | "Never Knew" | Gary Barlow | 3:50 |
11. | "Open Road" | Gary Barlow | 4:23 |
12. | "Always" | Gary Barlow | 3:32 |
13. | "The Meaning of a Love Song" | Gary Barlow | 3:37 |
14. | "Cuddly Toy" | Andrew Roachford | 3:42 |
15. | "Superhero" | Gary Barlow, Max Martin, Joylon Skinner, Kristian Lundin | 3:35 |
16. | "I Miss It All" | Gary Barlow | 4:02 |
17. | "Million to One" | Gary Barlow, Richard Stannard, Matt Rowbottom | 3:25 |
18. | "Offer My Peace" | Gary Barlow | 3:56 |
19. | "Hard To Handle" | Gary Barlow | 3:04 |
GB40 Anniversary Edition: Disc 2 | |||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | "Forever Love" (Instrumental) | 4:37 | |
2. | "Love Won't Wait" (Junior Vasquez Radio Mix) | 4:21 | |
3. | "Cuddly Toy" (Lush Vocal Radio Edit) | 3:44 | |
4. | "Cuddly Toy" (Full on Retro Vocal) | 8:51 | |
5. | "Cuddly Toy" (Dumb & Funky Dub) | 7:45 | |
6. | "So Help Me Girl" (US Version) | 4:29 | |
7. | "Ayudame" (So Help Me Girl - Spanish Version) | 4:26 | |
8. | "So Help Me Girl" (C Swing Mix) | 4:30 | |
9. | "So Help Me Girl" (Peter Mokran Mix) | 4:38 | |
10. | "So Help Me Girl" (Live) | 4:16 | |
11. | "Open Road" (Rose & Foster Mix) | 4:23 | |
12. | "Open Road" (Mr. Pink Mix) | 4:44 | |
13. | "Open Road" (Live) | 4:24 | |
14. | "Hang on in There, Baby" (featuring Rosie Gaines) | 3:39 | |
15. | "Hang on in There, Baby" (Live) | 3:53 | |
16. | "Back For Good" (Live Version) | Gary Barlow | 4:19 |
17. | "A Million Love Songs" (Live) | 3:53 | |
18. | "My Commitment" (Soulshock Mix) | 7:01 | |
19. | "Hard To Handle" (Live) | 4:13 | |
20. | "Labour of Love" (Live) | 5:01 | |
21. | "Luv Luv Luv" (Live) | 3:40 | |
22. | "Your Song" (Live) | 4:18 | |
23. | "Forever Love" (Live version dedicated to Princess Diana and Gianni Versace) | 4:03 | |
24. | "Interview" (Summer 1998) | 11:35 |
GB40 Anniversary Edition: Disc 3 | |||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | "Forever Love" (Video) | 4:55 | |
2. | "Love Won't Wait" (Video) | 4:17 | |
3. | "So Help Me Girl" (Video) | 4:29 | |
4. | "Open Road" (Video) | 4:24 | |
5. | "Superhero" (Video) | 3:40 | |
6. | "Hang on in There, Baby" (Video) (featuring Rosie Gaines) | 3:39 | |
7. | "Open Book" (Documentary) | 63:00 |
US edition
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Fall So Deep" | Larry Loftin, Mattias Gustafsson, Amy Powers | David Foster | 4:02 |
2. | "Open Road" | Gary Barlow | Chris Porter, Barlow, Mike Rose[a], Nick Foster[a] | 4:23 |
3. | "Superhero" | Barlow, Max Martin, Joylon Skinner, Kristian Lundin | Martin, Lundin | 3:35 |
4. | "My Commitment" | Barlow, Diane Warren | Walter Afanasieff, Soulshock & Karlin[b] | 4:13 |
5. | "Love Won't Wait" | Madonna, Shep Pettibone | Stephen Lipson, Junior Vasquez[c] | 4:21 |
6. | "So Help Me Girl" | Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner | Foster | 4:29 |
7. | "Everything I Wanted" | Barlow | Absolute | 3:32 |
8. | "Hang on in There Baby" | Johnny Bristol | Rose, Foster | 3:39 |
9. | "Lay Down For Love" | Barlow, Richard Stannard, Matt Rowbottom | Grant Mitchell, Barlow | 5:33 |
10. | "Never Knew" | Barlow | Afanasieff | 3:50 |
11. | "Forever Love" | Barlow | Chris Porter, Barlow | 4:55 |
12. | "Back for Good" (Live) | Barlow | Simon Willis | 4:19 |
Australian special edition bonus CD-rom tracks | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Forever Love" (Video) | 4:55 |
2. | "Love Won't Wait" (Video) | 4:17 |
3. | "So Help Me Girl" (Video) | 4:29 |
- Notes
Charts
Chart (1997) | Peak Position |
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Australian Albums Chart (ARIA)[6] | 30 |
Austrian Albums Chart (Ö3 Austria Top 75)[7] | 13 |
Belgian (Ultratop 50 Vlaanderen) Albums Chart[8] | 7 |
Belgian (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) Albums Chart[9] | 20 |
Danish Albums Chart (Nielsen Music Control)[10] | 6 |
Dutch Albums Chart (Top 100)[11] | 13 |
European Albums Chart (Hot 100)[12] | 4 |
Finnish Albums Chart (SNEP)[13] | 29 |
German Albums Chart (Media Control AG)[14] | 10 |
Greek Albums (IFPI Greece)[15] | 3 |
Hungarian Albums Chart (Rádiós Top 40)[16] | 33 |
Irish Albums Chart (IRMA)[17] | 1 |
Italian Albums Chart (FIMI)[18] | 8 |
Japanese Albums Chart (Oricon)[19] | 40 |
Malaysian Albums Chart (RIAM)[20] | 3 |
New Zealand Albums Chart (RIANZ)[21] | 43 |
Norwegian Albums Chart (VG-lista)[22] | 34 |
Scottish Albums Chart (OCC)[23] | 2 |
Spanish Albums Chart (PROMUSICAE)[12] | 5 |
Swedish Albums Chart (Sverigetopplistan)[24] | 25 |
Swiss Albums Chart (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] | 6 |
Taiwanese Albums Chart (IFPI)[26] | 1 |
United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company)[1] | 1 |
Preceded by
Romeo + Juliet by Various Artists
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Irish Albums Chart 29 May 1997 – 5 June 1997 |
Succeeded by Romanza by Andrea Bocelli |
Preceded by | Taiwan Albums Chart 23 June 1997 – 13 July 1997 |
Succeeded by Middle of Nowhere by Hanson |
Preceded by | UK number one album 7 June 1997 – 13 June 1997 |
Succeeded by Wu-Tang Forever by Wu-Tang Clan |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[27] | Platinum | 300,000 |
Personnel
Credits for Open Road adapted from Allmusic.[28]
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References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "UK Chart Archive". everyHit.com. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
- ↑ Open Road British Sales Certificate. British Phonographic Industry. 12 December 1997. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1328974/Robbie-Williams-relights-Take-That.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Daily Mail
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T12772348936&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T12772348940&cisb=22_T12772348939&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=172244&docNo=2 Nexis Lexis, Search Gary Barlow Open Road, 2nd source on list. Rodel Divina, The Vista San Diego
- ↑ http://danishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Gary+Barlow&titel=Open+Road&cat=a AustralianCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discographie Gary Barlow". AustrianCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Gary Barlow – Open Road". UltraTop.be. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
- ↑ "Gary Barlow – Open Road". UltraTop.be. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
- ↑ http://books.google.ca/books?lr=&rview=1&id=AwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=gary+barlow#v=snippet&q=gary%20barlow&f=false Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://books.google.ca/books?id=KBAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA51&dq=Gary+Barlow+Malaysia&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RIQeUarxLPL44QTun4HwAQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Gary%20Barlow%20Malaysia&f=false. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". FinnishCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Gary Barlow". Charts-Surfer.de. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum Hungarian album Archive.
- ↑ The Irish Charts - All there is to know
- ↑ http://books.google.ca/books?id=KBAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50&dq=gary+Barlow+Open+Road+Italy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UTavUsenM4PAhAes6oHoAw&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=gary%20Barlow%20Open%20Road%20Italy&f=false. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ↑ http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/68069/ranking/cd_album/ Oricon Archive - Gary Barlow Open Road.
- ↑ [1]. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ "Discography Gary Barlow". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ↑ IFPI Taiwan - International Top 10 (1997/24) at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1998)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Open Road in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/open-road-mw0000024917/credits Open Road album credits.
- Pages with reference errors
- Use dmy dates from January 2013
- Use British English from January 2013
- Pages with broken file links
- Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters
- Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom
- 1997 albums
- Gary Barlow albums
- Albums produced by Stephen Lipson
- Albums produced by David Foster
- Albums produced by Max Martin