Misplaced Pages

"Follow the Rules"
Single by Livin' Joy (Tameko Star)
from the album Don't Stop Movin
Released	1996
Length	3:52
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Tameko Star (Doris Diggs) Visnadi Bros
Producer(s)	Paolo Visnadi Gianni Visnadi
Livin' Joy (Tameko Star) singles chronology
"Don't Stop Movin'" (1996) "Follow the Rules" (1996) "Where Can I Find Love" (1997)
Music video
"Follow the Rules" on YouTube

"Follow the Rules'" is a song recorded by Italian electronic music group Livin' Joy featuring American singer Tameko Star (a.k.a. Doris Diggs). It was released in 1996 by MCA as the third single from the group's only album, Don't Stop Movin (1996). The song, written by Star with producer brothers Visnadi, was the follow-up to "Don't Stop Movin'", which had been a number-one hit in Italy. The new single peaked at number three on the Italian singles chart, number nine in the UK and number twelve in Finland. It can be described as an anthemic dance track based around the message of following your dreams and making them come true. In style it was similar to its predecessor, but with a heavier piano house/organ sound.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five, describing it as "another storming anthem", that "will be another biggie and rouse interest in the album". In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue noted that the song "has some delicious Italia House piano over a great dance beat", complimenting it as "a positive uplifting track". Damien Mendis from the Record Mirror Dance Update" praised it, giving the song five out of five. He added that "now Tameko Star, Visnadi and DJ Vioni are set to repeat that success with another smash — and a possible number one? All their trademark elements are present to ensure maximum familiarity — in no less than nine mixes too. if you fancy a Classic Def moment then check Satoshi Tomiie's mixes. They stay very close to the original with enough juice to play in slightly less commercial clubs. Pure unashamed perfect pop dance. Love it."

Chart performance

Proving to be a moderate success for Livin' Joy across Europe, the single was a top 10 hit in Italy, where it hit number three, and in the UK. On the UK Singles Chart, it managed to stay in the sales charts for five weeks after entering and peaking at number nine in mid-October 1996. Additionally, "Follow the Rules" reached number twelve in Finland, number sixteen in Scotland, number 28 in Ireland and number 29 in Sweden. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 27 in November 1996. Outside Europe, the single was successful in Israel, peaking at number eight and it also charted in Australia, reaching number 73.

Airplay

In the UK, "Follow the Rules" received more than 500 plays a week on mainstream radio at its peak and around 45 regional radio stations were giving it support. After the success of "Dreamer" and "Don't Stop Movin'", radio stations were keen to play the track. On Capital Radio, it was the most popular of the three songs, while Atlantic 252 couldn't get enough of it, spinning it 54 times in the week it dropped out of the Top 40. Dance station Galaxy was playing it 50 times a week at the end of October and start of November 1996, while Radio One gave it between 15-18 plays per week, balancing out a guitar-led playlist. Lead vocalist Tameko Star also benefited from television exposure and her performance on the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party helped bring the act out to a wider audience.

Track listing

• 12" single, UK

1. "Follow the Rules" (Original Mix) — 3:51
2. "Follow the Rules" (Extended Under Mix) — 5:47
3. "Follow the Rules" (Do the Right Mix) — 5:33
4. "Follow the Rules" (Satoshi Tomiie's Transatlantic Club Mix) — 9:36
5. "Follow the Rules" (Light Piano Mix) — 3:15

• CD single, UK

1. "Follow the Rules" (Radio Mix) — 3:06
2. "Follow the Rules" (Original Mix) — 3:51
3. "Follow the Rules" (Transatlantic Club Mix) — 9:36
4. "Follow the Rules" (Extended Under Mix) — 5:47
5. "Follow the Rules" (Do the Right Mix) — 5:33
6. "Follow the Rules" (Light Piano Mix) — 3:15

• CD maxi, Italy

1. "Follow the Rules" (Radio Mix) — 3:12
2. "Follow the Rules" (Original Mix) — 3:50
3. "Follow the Rules" (Do the Right Mix) — 5:33
4. "Follow the Rules" (Light Piano Mix) — 3:07

Charts

References

1. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 October 1996. p. 26. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
2. "Review: "Don't Stop Movin" by Livin' Joy (CD, 1996)". Pop Rescue. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
3. Mendis, Damien (28 September 1996). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
4. Eade, Catherine (7 December 1996). "Track of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 22. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
5. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 168.
6. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 November 1996. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
7. "Livin' Joy: Follow the Rules" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
8. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Follow the Rules". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
9. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 43. 26 October 1996. p. 19. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
10. "Scottish Singles Chart 27 October 1996 - 02 November 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
11. "Livin' Joy – Follow the Rules". Singles Top 100.
12. "Livin' Joy: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
13. "UK Dance Singles Chart Top 40 27 October 1996 - 02 November 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 January 2018.

• 1996 singles
• 1996 songs
• Livin' Joy songs
• MCA Records singles
• English-language Italian songs