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.
What's She Like?
Roxette Lyrics
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When she wakes up in the morning by your side?
What's she like?
What's she like?
The yellow moon or the deep blue of the sea?
Do you feel the same way you did when it was me?
What's she like?
Oh I've been holding on
I've been holding on for far too long
I've been holding on
I've been holding on much too long.
What's she like when you're making love and stars are in her eyes?
When you're looking for the answers in her smile?
What's she like?
Oh I've been holding on
I've been holding on for far too long
I've been holding on
I've been holding on much too long
Too long.
I never knew I could love somebody the way I loved you
I never thought I'd be the broken-hearted
Well, nothing hurts you like the truth.
So what's she like when she turns to you,
When push comes to shove?
When she whispers in your ear that she's in love?
What's she like?
Oh I've been holding on
I've been holding on for far too long
I've been holding on
I've been holding on much too long
So what's she like?
In Roxette's song "What's She Like?", the lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of a person who is trying to move on from a past relationship. The song focuses on the questions and doubts that arise when thinking about an ex's new partner. The character in the song wonders what the new woman is like at different moments throughout the day, such as when she turns around to kiss her partner goodnight, when she wakes up in the morning, and when making love. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and sadness for a lost love, as the character realizes that they are holding on for too long and need to move on.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of holding on for too long, as the character repeats the phrase "I've been holding on" several times. The bridge of the song also adds a sense of regret, as the character reflects on the fact that they never thought they would be the broken-hearted one in the relationship, and that the truth of the situation is painful. Overall, the lyrics in "What's She Like?" provide a poignant portrayal of the complexities of moving on from a past love.
Line by Line Meaning
What's she like when she turns around to kiss you goodnight?
What's her demeanor when she affectionately kisses you goodnight?
When she wakes up in the morning by your side?
What is her personality like when she wakes up beside you?
What's she like?
What is her character truly like?
The yellow moon or the deep blue of the sea?
Is she as captivating as the yellow moon or as enigmatic as the deep blue sea?
Do you feel the same way you did when it was me?
Do you still experience the same feelings for her as you did for me?
What's she like when you're making love and stars are in her eyes?
What is she like when you are intimate and she has a look of admiration in her eyes?
When you're looking for the answers in her smile?
When you seek answers from her smile, what is her demeanor like?
Oh I've been holding on
I have been holding onto you, to the past.
I've been holding on for far too long
I have been holding onto you for an excessive amount of time.
So what's she like when she turns to you,
What is her natural demeanor when she turns to you?
When push comes to shove?
When you are faced with a difficult decision or situation, what is she like?
When she whispers in your ear that she's in love?
Is her demeanor when she confesses her love sweet and gentle or strong and confident?
I never knew I could love somebody the way I loved you
I never knew that I could love anyone with as much passion as I loved you.
I never thought I'd be the broken-hearted
I never thought I would feel the pain of heartache.
Well, nothing hurts you like the truth.
The truth is always difficult to accept.
Oh I've been holding on much too long.
I have been holding onto my emotions for much longer than is healthy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PER GESSLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind