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.
Lies
Roxette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put the big boots on
Baby put them big boots on.
Make a mark
Make a good kick start
Kick yourself right outa my heart.
'Cause you're every little thing I can do without
Every line you lay, every trick you trade
They could never ever make the grade.
Lies
La-la-la-la-lies
It's all lies
La-la-la-la-lies
You're all lies.
Honeybutt
Keep your big mouth shut
Baby keep that big mouth shut.
It's a steamin' jumpin' jivin' shout
'Cause you're every little thing I still dream about
But the love you lay, every prayer you pray
It will never ever make my day
Listen to me good...
Lies
La-la-la-la-lies
It's all lies
Only lies
La-la-la-la-lies
You're all lies.
Doo doo doo doo doo.
The lyrics of Roxette's "Lies" are about a person who has been deceived by their lover and has decided to end the relationship. The lyrics suggest that the lover has been lying and has not been honest about their feelings or intentions. The song is filled with strong emotions, with the singer urging their lover to leave their heart and keep their big mouth shut. The song also has a lively and upbeat tune, suggesting that the singer is ready to move on and enjoy life without their deceitful lover.
The chorus of the song is a catchy repetition of the word "lies" which emphasizes the theme of deception throughout the lyrics. The lyrics also suggest that the lover's actions have been futile and unsuccessful in winning the singer's love. The line "every line you lay, every trick you trade" suggests that the lover has been manipulative and dishonest in their attempts to win the singer's affections.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lies" convey a sense of frustration and anger towards a deceitful lover. The tone of the song is lively and energetic, suggesting that the singer is ready to move on from the relationship and find someone who will be honest and faithful.
Line by Line Meaning
Put 'em on
Get ready to leave, put on your shoes and prepare to go out.
Put the big boots on
Put on your biggest boots to show that you're ready to walk away from this relationship.
Baby put them big boots on.
Urge your partner to walk away, as there's nothing to stay for.
Make a mark
Make a lasting impression, and show that you're significant.
Make a good kick start
Start off strong to make sure you don't look back and regret not leaving earlier.
Kick yourself right outa my heart.
Ask your partner to leave your heart, and remove all the hurt and pain associated with this relationship.
It's a cookin' jumpin' jivin' shout
Express your annoyance and frustration with all the things your partner does to keep you unhappy.
'Cause you're every little thing I can do without
Acknowledge that your partner causes more harm than good, and you don't need them in your life.
Every line you lay, every trick you trade
Remind your partner that all their efforts to manipulate you are in vain, as you see through their lies.
They could never ever make the grade.
Indicate that no matter how hard they try, they will never be enough.
Lies
Call out your partner's dishonesty.
La-la-la-la-lies
Emphasize how often your partner lies to you, and how you're tired of hearing them.
It's all lies
Confirm that nothing your partner says is true anymore.
You're all lies.
Denounce your partner and their deceitful nature.
Honeybutt
Refer to your partner in a condescending way, as you're tired of being sweet to them.
Keep your big mouth shut
Tell your partner to stop talking, as nothing they say matters to you anymore.
Baby keep that big mouth shut.
Urge your partner to be quiet once and for all.
It's a steamin' jumpin' jivin' shout
Get angry and shout at your partner for all the pain they've caused you throughout the relationship.
'Cause you're every little thing I still dream about
Admit that even though you regret being with your partner, they still haunt your dreams.
But the love you lay, every prayer you pray
Recognize that your partner tries to love you and prays for your wellbeing, but that it's too late now.
It will never ever make my day
Declare that their love and prayers can't make up for the pain and hurt they've caused you.
Listen to me good...
Make sure your partner pays attention to what you're about to say.
Lies
Repeat that your partner's life is built on lies.
La-la-la-la-lies
Reinforce how frequently they lie.
It's all lies
Confirm that they've lost your trust.
Only lies
Contemptuously suggest that everything they ever said was a lie.
Doo doo doo doo doo.
End the song on a lighthearted, catchy note, contrasting with the heavy themes of the lyrics.
Lyrics © Edition JA, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PER GESSLE, MATS ARNE PERSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind