Things Will Never Be The Same

Sad to hear of the passing of Marie Fredriksson; lead singer of my favourite band Roxette. She suffered a 17-year long battle with cancer; when her eyesight was affected and she still managed to go on tour; albeit lesser in the recent years.

The funny thing about Roxette is that I actually didn't really like their big opening hits 'The Look' & 'Dressed For Success' that catapulted them to stardom. They were just a bit monotonous and not catchy enough for me. So initially they kind of faded into side-oblivion for me; if you know what I mean. I think it was 1991 and I was in Secondary Four in ACS that I happened to hear their song 'Paint' in my school corridor sound system. I can still remember the moment even now (cue goosebumps). It was such a catchy song that I started to check who was the singer - and lo and behold - Roxette.

Even though the Joyride album was good - spawning hits like 'Spending My Time' and 'Fading Like A Flower'; it was only when they were off their peak years - with the album 'Have A Nice Day' that my love affair with them exploded. The beauty was that no-one seemed to bother with this album - but I just loved it to bits - and the love affair was well and truly sealed. The hits 'Salvation', 'I Was So Lucky' and 'Anyone' were so good - I suddenly realised that this was going to be my favourite group of all-time. Funny isn't it?

Like a tidal wave; I started to be swept up in anything Roxette - with songs like 'Almost Unreal', 'Listen To Your Heart' and 'June Afternoon' entering my consciousness. Their songs are so catchy and just perfect to me. The album 'Room Service' continued; with hits like 'The Centre Of The Heart', 'Jefferson' and 'It Takes You No Time To Get Here'; and suddenly it was almost like I loved every song from Roxette - that was how much I was into their music.

And my No. 1 & 3 favourite song of all-time are 'Silver Blue' and 'Reveal' - two songs from Roxette that not many people may even be aware of; coz heck they weren't even released as singles... And the best part is both Marie and Per Gessle are talented soloists in their own right; with Marie's duet with Patrik Isaksson - 'Det Som Var Nu' - and Gessle's 'Silly Really' amongst their many standouts.