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Look Sharp! 1988
Album · by Roxette ↗ View artist

Look Sharp!

When Roxette released Look Sharp! in 1988, it became the turning point for the Swedish duo. Recorded between March and September of that year in studios in Stockholm and London, this second album arrived two years after their debut, Pearls of Passion (1986). While in their native Sweden the album was an instant success, reaching number one and earning multiple platinum certifications, its true impact was felt internationally. Four of its singles achieved global resonance, and in the United States, Look Sharp! was certified platinum. Tracks like "The Look" and "Listen to Your Heart" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, while "Dangerous" and "Dressed for Success" also featured in the top positions of that chart.

Year
1988
Songs
13
Duration
54 min 45 seg
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About the album

Look Sharp!, according to DoReSol

The initial release strategy in Sweden focused on Marie Fredriksson as the lead vocalist, with "Dressed for Success" and "Listen to Your Heart" as the first singles, both climbing significant positions on the Swedish charts. However, it was "The Look", released as the fourth single in January 1989, that unleashed the magic. An American student in Sweden bought the album and took a copy to his radio station in Minneapolis. The song quickly gained popularity, reaching the ears of EMI America, which had initially doubted the duo's potential for the US market. Before Roxette began their official promotion, "The Look" was already in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, and eight weeks later, it reached number one. This track became a worldwide hit, topping charts in 25 countries and spending six weeks at number one in Australia.

The critical reception of Look Sharp! was varied. While its singles were praised, some reviews noted that the filler tracks did not reach the same quality as those that would come in later works, and that the music, in general, could be ephemeral. Despite this, the album and its members received significant recognition. In 1989, Roxette was nominated for two Grammis awards (the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards), and both Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson received individual accolades. The duo was also recognized with multiple Rockbjörnen awards, including Best Swedish Album and Best Swedish Group in 1988 and again the following year.

Discography

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