"Dressed for Success" by Roxette

Song#:  3914

Date:  05/27/1989

Debut:  80

Peak:  14

Weeks:  18

Genre:  Pop

Pop Bits:  This Swedish duo grabbed a surprise #1 hit with "The Look," the first single released in the US from their second album Look Sharp! The duo's label, EMI, was caught off guard by the success of the song and scrambled to get the LP pushed out in the US along with this second single. The song, which served as the LP's first single back home in Sweden (and got to #2), did fairly well in the US getting close to the Top 10.  By the time this song debuted on the chart, the album had reached an initial quick peak of #28. However, that would change when the duo's next two singles would become significant hits.

ReduxReview:  This number was a bit bouncier than "The Look" and it was a good follow up. It was a fun, disposable pop tune and I thought it might crack the Top 10, but it stalled a bit shy. Still, after a gold-selling unexpected #1, the result was good and set them up well for their next single.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Look Sharp! was a huge hit in Sweden. It would spend seven weeks at #1, spawn four Top 10 hits, and go 6x platinum. It would also earn each member of the duo a Grammis, Sweden's equivalent of the Grammys. Singer Marie Fredriksson would win for Best Pop/Rock Female Vocal while Per Gessle would win for Best Composer. Roxette would receive two nominations. One for Artist of the Year and Best Pop/Rock Group. The Grammis would not begin to give out an Album of the Year award until 1993. However, in Sweden they also have the Rockbjörnen awards, which centers on pop/rock music and began in 1979. Roxette's Look Sharp! would take home the award for Best Swedish Album. The duo would end up taking home the award for Best Swedish Band as well, an award they would win three more times.

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