Before coming together to form the duo, Fredriksson and Gessle were already established artists in Sweden, with Fredriksson releasing a number of solo albums and Gessle being the lead singer and songwriter of Gyllene Tider, which had three No. 1 albums. On the advice of the managing director of their record label, they came together to record "Neverending Love", which became a hit single in Sweden.
After the release of Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus!, a greatest hits record, the duo took a hiatus before returning with the albums Have a Nice Day (1999) and Room Service (2001). They continued to chart in other territories, mainly in Europe and Latin America, where they earned various Gold and Platinum awards until the beginning of the new millennium. In 2002, the duo took a break from recording and touring when Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Gessle went on to release solo albums and reunited with Gyllene Tider before Roxette took to the stage together again for the first time in 8 years, in 2009, during Gessle's European Party Crasher tour. In 2011, they released Charm School, their first studio album in ten years, which was followed by Travelling in 2012. Their latest studio album, Good Karma, was released in 2016.
Their songs "It Must Have Been Love" and "Listen to Your Heart" continue to receive wide radio airplay, with both singles recently receiving awards from BMI for achieving five million radio plays. They have sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide, with over 10 million in certified units from Germany, the US and the UK, achieving gold and platinum certifications for Joyride and Look Sharp! in all three regions.
On 18 April 2016, an official statement was released, cancelling the last leg of the RoXXXette 30th Anniversary Tour due to concerns about Marie Fredriksson's health. As her doctors have advised her to refrain from playing live, she will no longer tour with Roxette. Fredriksson stated: "Sadly, now my touring days are over and I want to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful fans that has followed us on our long and winding journey." Gessle added: "The joyride on the road is over now – but we sure had fun, didn't we?" Roxette has also worked in the studio on their tenth studio album, Good Karma. They have worked with young producers from Sweden like Addeboy vs Cliff "to inject new blood into the Roxette sound". Remixes aside, this is the first time that they have allowed anyone outside of the Roxette canon to produce new music. On 8 April 2016, the lead single off the album, "It Just Happens", was released. The album followed on 3 June 2016.
Per Gessle toured Europe in October and November 2018 as "Per Gessle's Roxette" with a set that lent heavily on the band's back catalogue.
Cinnamon Street
Roxette Lyrics
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There was a girl on Cinnamon Street, the same age as me, we shared the curiosity. I won her heart 'cause I could play guitar. I promised her heaven at once and later all the stars. But it all remained the same 'cause things can never change on Cinnamon Street.
I can hear my heartbeat the very first time we made love, life was a lazy rest in the sun. Later we went dancing, staying up all night long - playing all our favourite songs, Cinnamon songs: Oh oh na na na na na.
I say goodbye to Cinnamon Street. Springtime is here and the air is so dry and sweet. I walk in a cloud, the smell of cinnamon bread, it's in my blood since the day I was born 'til I wake up... dead. And the sun is smiling gently, a funny shade of red, Cinnamon Street.
In Roxette's song "Cinnamon Street," the lyrics depict the life of growing up on Cinnamon Street, where there's always an opportunity to meet people. The singer describes catching the school bus, going to school, and facing another week of small dreams. The song continues to tell the story of the singer's relationship with a girl who also grew up on Cinnamon Street. They shared a mutual curiosity and passion for music, which helped the singer win her heart. Despite promises of heaven and stars, their relationship remained the same and unchanging on Cinnamon Street. Eventually, the singer reflects on leaving Cinnamon Street behind in the spring, walking into a cloudy, cinnamon-scented air, and feeling the sun smile gently. The song ends with a nostalgic reflection on the first time the singer and his love made love, spending lazy days in the sun and dancing all night long to their favorite songs.
The song's lyrics have a poignant quality that reflects the nostalgia felt for one's hometown and idle days of youth. The singer reminisces about the past but also acknowledges that things cannot change. He had promised his love the world, but everything on Cinnamon Street remains the same. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer's past, from the bustle of the school run to the soft scent of cinnamon and laughter of nights spent with friends and lovers. It's a fleeting moment that will soon be gone forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Growing up on Cinnamon Street. Everywhere you look there are lots of people to meet, it's seven o'clock, the breakfast treat. Now the schoolbus is here, hurry up and grab a seat. All the dreams are tiny ones, another week has just begun on Cinnamon Street.
Cinnamon Street is a place where one can grow up amidst a lot of people, and the day starts early with breakfast and school. The dreams of the people there are small, and life goes on as usual.
There was a girl on Cinnamon Street, the same age as me, we shared the curiosity. I won her heart 'cause I could play guitar. I promised her heaven at once and later all the stars. But it all remained the same 'cause things can never change on Cinnamon Street.
There was a girl on Cinnamon Street with whom the singer shared a curious nature. The singer won her heart by playing guitar and promised her the world. But even though he fulfilled his promises, nothing ever changed on Cinnamon Street.
I can hear my heartbeat the very first time we made love, life was a lazy rest in the sun. Later we went dancing, staying up all night long - playing all our favourite songs, Cinnamon songs: Oh oh na na na na na.
The singer reminisces about spending lazy afternoons in the sun and staying up all night dancing to Cinnamon songs with his lover. He recalls the first time they made love, which was a memorable experience that he can still feel.
I say goodbye to Cinnamon Street. Springtime is here and the air is so dry and sweet. I walk in a cloud, the smell of cinnamon bread, it's in my blood since the day I was born 'til I wake up... dead. And the sun is smiling gently, a funny shade of red, Cinnamon Street.
The artist bids goodbye to Cinnamon Street as spring arrives. He feels nostalgic and remembers the scent of cinnamon bread that has been with him since birth. The sun shines on him, and he feels it's smiling at him, as if Cinnamon Street is giving him a warm farewell.
I still feel my heartbeat the very first time we made love, life was a lazy day in the sun. Later we went dancing, hanging out all night long - singing all our favourite songs, Cinnamon songs: Oh oh na na na na na na.
The artist still remembers the first time he made love and his carefree days in the sun. He recalls the nights he spent with his lover, dancing and singing to Cinnamon songs. Although he is leaving Cinnamon Street, these memories will always be with him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PER HAKAN GESSLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind