P.A.S.S.I.O.N. (song)

"P.A.S.S.I.O.N." is the lead single from the eponymous debut album by American R&B band Rythm Syndicate. Written, arranged, and produced by main vocalist Evan Rogers and guitarist/keyboardist Carl Sturken, the single was a success on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number two in August 1991. Worldwide, the song reached the top 30 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

"P.A.S.S.I.O.N."
Single by Rythm Syndicate
from the album Rythm Syndicate
B-side	"You Really Rock Me" (excerpt) "Hey Donna" (excerpt) "Blinded by Love" (excerpt)
Released	1991
Genre	New jack swing
Length	3:40 (7-inch version) 4:15 (power mix)
Label	Impact
Songwriters	Carl Sturken Evan Rogers
Producers	Carl Sturken Evan Rogers
Rythm Syndicate singles chronology
"P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (1991) "Hey Donna" (1991)

Overview

The track uses a typical pop song structure and arrangement for most of each verse, but utilizes a spelling out of some words to match the cadence of the vocal; as in the end line of the second verse ("The S-E-X is just too good"). After the second verse, the chorus is repeated twice and leads into a bridge. This promptly melts into a screaming guitar solo. Nearly twenty seconds later, Rogers institutes a rap vocal, which dissipates into the chorus that repeats until the song fades out.

Track listings

The excerpts from Rythm Syndicate consist of "You Really Rock Me", "Hey Donna", and "Blinded by Love".

US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single[1][2] A1. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (7-inch version) – 3:40 A2. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Hip hop mix) – 4:22 B1. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Power mix) – 4:13 B2. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (House mix) – 4:22 B3. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (album version) – 4:13 US cassette single; Australian 7-inch and cassette single[3][4][5] "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (7-inch version) – 3:40 Excerpts from Rythm Syndicate US maxi-CD single[6] "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Hip house mix) – 6:12 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (New jack mix) – 5:48 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (LP version) – 4:13 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (House mix) – 6:55 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (extended/Power mix) – 6:44 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Ghetto mix) – 5:12 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (acappella) – 3:12

UK 7-inch and cassette single; Japanese mini-CD single[7][8][9] "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (7-inch version) – 3:40 "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Power mix) – 4:13 UK 12-inch single[10] A1. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (House mix) – 6:55 B1. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Hew jack mix) – 5:48 B2. "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Hip house mix) – 6:12 UK CD single[11] "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (7-inch version) "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (House mix) "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Power mix) "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." (Ghetto mix)

Personnel

• Evan Rogers: Vocals
• Carl Sturken: Guitars, keyboards
• Mike McDonald: Guitars, vocal backing
• Rob Mingrino: Saxophone (appears on "Hey Donna")
• John "Noodle" Nevin: Bass, vocal backing
• Kevin Cloud: Drums, percussion

Production

• Written, arranged and produced by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers
• Recorded and mixed by Darroll Gustamacho for Visual Sound Design Inc.
• Published by Warner-Tamerlane Music Corp./Could Be Music/Bayjun Beat Music

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1991) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[12] 28 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[13] 25 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[14] 8 Germany (GfK)[15] 82 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 51 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 21 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 58 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 2 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[20] 12 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[21] 32 US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[22] 20

Year-end charts Chart (1991) Position US Billboard Hot 100[23] 40

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	1991	12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Impact
Australia	July 1, 1991	7-inch vinyl CD cassette		[24]
United Kingdom	July 15, 1991	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Impact American	[25]
Australia	July 22, 1991	12-inch vinyl	Impact	[26]
Japan	July 26, 1991	Mini-CD		[27]