Roxette

Scandinavian pop duo

Roxette was a Swedish pop duo formed in 1986, consisting of singer Marie Fredriksson and guitarist Per Gessle.

Known for hits like "The Look," "Listen to Your Heart," and "It Must Have Been Love," they achieved global success in the late 1980s and early 1990s: Roxette was everywhere on the radio in 1989.

band

Sweden

Scandinavian country, capital Stockholm

duoTwo working together
pop rockCatchy guitar-driven commercial music
EMIDisruptive electrical signals

1986 · platinum · MTV · ballads · synthesizers · touring · albums · singles · arena rock · European

era

1980s

Fourth-to-last twentieth-century decade

1990sFinal twentieth-century decade
MTV generationYouth shaped by music videos
cassette tapesAnalog audio storage medium

music videos · big hair · shoulder pads · synth-pop · power pop · Top 40 · VH1 · Billboard · nostalgia · retro

hits

chart-topping

Ranking first in sales

anthemsOfficial ceremonial songs
power balladsEmotional arena rock songs
karaokeSinging to backing tracks

Categories

ScandinaviansEdvard Munch, Edvard Grieg, Henrik Ibsen, Hans Christian Andersen, Ingmar Bergman
SwedenStockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala, Scania
duosSonny and Cher, The Everly Brothers, Lennon and McCartney, The Righteous Brothers, Righteous Brothers
EuropopABBA, Ace of Base, Aqua, Vengaboys, Snap!
Nordic MusicABBA, Ace of Base, Europe, Robyn, Kent
British MusicThe Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd

Opposites

musical style/era contrast

RoxetteNirvana

Release from earthly existence

Sonic Youth · Nine Inch Nails · Swans

commercial accessibility vs. underground/alternative

RoxettePixies

Small supernatural tricksters

Sonic Youth · Black Flag

geographic/cultural origin in pop context

RoxetteBob Marley

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G