"Open Road" is the fourth single released from British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...

's debut solo album, Open Road.

Background

Following the release of "So Help Me Girl

So Help Me Girl

"So Help Me Girl" is the title of a song written by Howard Perdew and Andy Spooner, and recorded by country music singer Joe Diffie. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and #84 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is included on his album Third Rock from the Sun.-Chart...

", Barlow announced that 'Open Road' would be the last single to be released from the album in Europe. However, following it's release, 'Open Road' peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart

UK Singles Chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

 as well as becoming his third fourth consecutive top 2 single in Latvia and fourth song to chart in Ireland and Germany respectively. After the single was released Barlow's record label began the process of preparing the recording of a second album. However, his next single, "Stronger", only reached #16 on the UK Singles Chart

UK Singles Chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

, and as such, 'Open Road' is viewed as his last successful single. Barlow himself regards Open Road as "the best song on the album".

Music video

The video begins with Barlow sitting in his car, watching as rain pours down outside. The scene then cuts to a shot of Barlow performing inside a social club, where dancers and backing vocalists are performing around him. After the first chorus, the video cuts to Barlow walking along a highway, through an underground train station and arriving at the club where he is performing. However, this time, the scene aleternates, as he throws his jacket to the ground, moves into the centre of the stage and performs directly to camera. The video finishes with Barlow returning to his car, realising that the hope he has been searching for is inside of him, which is indicated by the image in his rearside mirror.

Track listings

UK CD1

1. "Open Road" (Rose & Foster Mix) - 4:28
2. "Open Road" (Mr. Pink Mix) - 4:44
3. "Hang On In There Baby" (Live) - 3:53
4. "So Help Me Girl" (Live) - 4:16

UK CD2

1. "Open Road" (Rose & Foster Mix) - 4:28
2. "Open Road" (Mr. Pink Mix) - 4:44
3. "Back For Good" (Live) - 4:01
4. "Open Road" (Live) - 4:24

Cassette / 7" Jukebox Vinyl

1. "Open Road" (Rose & Foster Mix) - 4:28
2. "Back For Good" (Live) - 4:01
3. "Open Road" (Mr. Pink Mix) - 4:44

Charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Germany (Media Control AG Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... )	63
Latvia (EHR European Hit Radio European Hit Radio is one of the very first commercial radio stations in Baltic States. This radio focuses on reflecting the current situation in European music charts... )	2
Ireland (IRMA IRMA IRMA may refer to:* Institute of Rural Management, Anand, a management school for rural development in the state of Gujarat, India* International Recording Media Association*International Rectal Microbicide Advocates... )	29
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)	7