Open Road

Open Road
Studio album by Gary Barlow
Released	26 May 1997 (1997-05-26) (Europe) 13 January 1998 (1998-01-13) (America)
Recorded	1996—1997
Genre	Pop
Length	50:54
Label	BMG, RCA, Arista
Producer	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
Open Road (1997) Twelve Months, Eleven Days (1999)
Singles from Open Road (European Version)
"Forever Love" Released: July 5, 1996 "Love Won't Wait" Released: April 25, 1997 "So Help Me Girl" Released: July 11, 1997 "Open Road" Released: October 31, 1997 "Hang on in There Baby" Released: April 3, 1998
Singles from Open Road (American Version)
"So Help Me Girl" Released: September 30, 1997 "Superhero" Released: February 17, 1998

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Open Road is the solo debut album by British pop singer Gary Barlow. It was released by BMG and RCA Records on 26 May 1997 in Europe, and on January 13, 1998 in America.

Album information

Following the break-up of Take That, Barlow went straight into the recording studio and began recording a solo album. On July 5, 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 #1.^[2] On May 26, 1997, the album was subsequently released, peaking at #1 on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release.^[2] The album was certified platinum.^[3] 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.^[2] The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide to date.^[4]

International success

Following the success of the album in the United Kingdom, 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 September 30, 1997. The album was subsequently released on January 13, 1998, and on February 17, 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

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

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

• Japanese Bonus Tracks

13. "The Meaning of Love Song" (Gary Barlow) – 3:37

14. "Cuddly Toy" (Andrew Roachford) – 3:42

• Spanish Bonus Track

13. "Ayudame" (Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner, Nani Mano) – 4:26

• Deluxe Edition Bonus CD-Rom

1. "Forever Love" [Video] (Gary Barlow) – 4:55
2. "Love Won't Wait" [Video] (Madonna, Shep Pettibone) – 4:17
3. "So Help Me Girl" [Video] (Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner) – 4:29

• American Issue^[6]

1. "I Fall So Deep" (Larry Loftin, Mattias Gustafsson, Amy Powers) – 4:02
2. "Open Road" (Rose & Foster Mix) (Gary Barlow) – 4:24
3. "Superhero" (Gary Barlow, Max Martin, Joylon Skinner, Kristian Lundin) – 3:35
4. "My Commitment" (Gary Barlow, Diane Warren) – 4:48
5. "Love Won't Wait" (Junior Vasquez Radio Mix) (Madonna, Shep Pettibone) – 4:21
6. "So Help Me Girl" (US Edit) (Howard Perdew, Andy Spooner) – 4:38
7. "Everything I Wanted" (Gary Barlow) – 3:32
8. "Hang On In There, Baby" (Duet With Rosie Gaines) (Johnny Bristol) – 3:39
9. "Lay Down For Love" (Gary Barlow, Richie Stannard, Matt Rowbottom) – 5:33
10. "Never Knew" (Gary Barlow) – 3:50
11. "Forever Love" (Gary Barlow) – 4:55
12. "Back For Good" [Live] (Gary Barlow) – 4:03

Charts

References