Speak To Me: Yet Another Roxette Hit

Album Cover for Roxette's Charm School (Image Via Wikipedia)

Although it is not set to be released  until April 18th, Roxette’s second single from their eighth studio album Charm School is destined to become a worldwide hit mainly because it reminds faithful fans of the band’s most famous songs from the 80s namely, It Must’ve Been Love and other songs from the Joyride age.

Many fans, like myself,  have taken to the internet to express their desire of having this song released as a single and thankfully, the duo have listened. No word on when and if a video will accompany the release, but regardless, this is a flawless song that can stand on its own, and can directly attract listeners despite its placement as the fourth track on the album, right after the very weak but enjoyable She’s Got Nothing On (But the Radio).

The Swedish duo, formed of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle have been making music for a while now but took a long, well-deserved ten-year break to work on their own projects and sadly, because Fredrikssion had brain cancer and has suffered some permanent damage to her cognitive abilities. Thankfully, she’s all better now and her vocal abilities are still intact, as demonstrated throughout the album.

Written and composed by Gessle, who is known to be a musical mastermind,  this song follows the tradition of vocals alternation that Roxette have been known for. Per’s smooth, lower register singing opens up the track, with Marie slightly doing back-up duties before the whole thing is transferred to her on the bridge. She does a stellar job here, with her contrasting high notes and incredible power in delivering the most important lines of the song. They continue to go back and forth, joining their voices together on the chorus to bring the whole song full circle.

Gessle does a great job in putting the music together. It’s definitely a rock song, with elements of electric guitar- especially at the end of the track as Fredriksson belts out the last note- drums, and some piano. The way he puts these together to make a fantastic rock-pop ballad is undoubtedly one of the strengths of this song. It’s no Listen to Your Heart however, but they’re not trying to do that anyways.

As for the lyrics, it’s about finding that one person who can be your consolance and hear you in times of distress, thus the speaker calls out to be spoken to about the significant other’s problems, with love, as the refrain keeps saying. Even though that person wants to hide, Fredrikission, in her very mighty voice, draws him near and eases him out of his vulnerability.

Would I recommend this song to someone who is just getting to know Roxette? Yes and No. Yes because the song is magnificent and such a breath of fresh air from everything we’re exposed today but no because they simply would not get what we’re all raving about. I would instead recommend that they take a listen to my ultimate favorite by this duo Listen to Your Heart or anything from their 80s body of work.

For fans of Roxette, this song will just reaffirm why we’ve fallen in love with Marie and Per and appreciate that a rare few make music like this today.