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.
Keep Me Waiting
Roxette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then came you.
Why did you keep me waiting so long?
Why did you keep me waiting so long?
Why did you keep me waiting so long?
Then came you...
In the first verse of Roxette's song "Keep Me Waiting," the lead vocalist describes a series of unusual occurrences that creates a chaotic and surrealistic experience. The mention of the faith of a "preacherman" suggests that the singer has been put in a challenging situation that requires faith to navigate. The use of the phrase "face like a madman" tells the audience that the creature is frightening in appearance and perhaps capable of some danger, heightening the sense of drama even further. The second part of the verse describes a vivid dream of sleeping at a royal ball, which again suggests the surrealistic and dreamlike nature of the song.
In the second verse, Roxette describes a more sinister, spy-like story. This time, the singer has been captured by enemies and reveals that they made a million selling secret fantasies. The phrase "pale grey zone" paints an image of a desolate and bleak landscape, where love is wasted. The quake mentioned in this part of the song acts as a metaphor for the singer's internal turmoil, so the mention of the "monument" emphasizes their significant stature and the gravity of their situation.
The chorus asks the question, "Why did you keep me waiting so long?" repeatedly. This line implies that the singer spends a lot of time waiting for something they want, feeling the sense of anticipation that characterizes the song. It is uncertain what exactly they are waiting for or who is keeping them waiting, creating a sense of suspense.
Line by Line Meaning
I hit the coast with the faith of a preacherman.
I arrived at the shore with utmost confidence and determination.
I saw a ghost with a face like a madman.
I came across an apparition with a frightening appearance.
I had this dream I was sleeping at the Royal Ball.
I had a dream that I was slumbering at an elegant feast.
I hit the streets, hey watch me in the monitor!
I took to the streets, directed to 'watch' by the surveillance system.
I saw a clone who looked just like a senator.
I observed a copy identical to a politician.
I checked the clock, I felt that it was time to go go go.
I glanced at my watch and knew it was time to leave quickly.
Then came you.
Then you arrived in my life.
Why did you keep me waiting so long?
Why did you delay meeting me for so long?
I was a spy, I was captured by the enemies.
I lived as a spy and eventually got arrested by the hostile group.
I made a million selling secret fantasies.
I earned a fortune selling confidential things people wished for.
I saw my love wasted in a pale grey zone.
I observed my affection fading away in a lifeless, hopeless space.
I was the quake shaking every monument.
I was a fierce force breaking down all my surroundings.
I had to fi-find out what all the money meant.
I had to investigate the true meaning behind all the wealth I had gained.
I checked the sun, I knew that it was time to go go go.
I looked up at the sun and realized it was time to hurry and leave.
Then came you...
Then you finally arrived in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PER HAKAN GESSLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind