| Open Road | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 May 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 50:54 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| 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.
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 number one 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]
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.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Music Week | [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]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love Won't Wait" |
| Stephen Lipson | 4:17 |
| 2. | "So Help Me Girl" |
| David Foster | 4:29 |
| 3. | "My Commitment" |
| Walter Afanasieff | 4:48 |
| 4. | "Hang on in There Baby" | Johnny Bristol | Trevor Horn | 3:39 |
| 5. | "Are You Ready Now" | Barlow |
| 4:19 |
| 6. | "Everything I Ever Wanted" | Barlow | Absolute | 3:32 |
| 7. | "I Fall So Deep" |
| Foster | 4:02 |
| 8. | "Lay Down for Love" |
|
| 5:33 |
| 9. | "Forever Love" | Barlow |
| 4:55 |
| 10. | "Never Knew" | Barlow | Afanasieff | 3:50 |
| 11. | "Open Road" | Barlow |
| 4:23 |
| 12. | "Always" | Barlow |
| 3:32 |
| 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 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Ayúdame" | Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner, Nani Mano | Foster | 4:26 |
| 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 |
| 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
Credits for Open Road adapted from AllMusic. [6]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) [30] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
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