PG Roxette

Per Gessle breathes new life into Roxette

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Per Gessle gave a Zoom interview to TT News Agency in Sweden. You’ll find it in several Swedish newspapers now, e.g. in Borås Tidning.

After almost 30 years with Roxette, it’s time for a new chapter in the band’s history.

It actually results in two questions, says Per Gessle on a Zoom meeting. It’s possible to think about how and when or in what way and to find out if there is interest out there.

But if you go back to square one, the real question is: should I quit Roxette or should I continue?

For his part, he has come to the decision that feels right. With Marie Fredriksson’s blessing, Per Gessle continues to play Roxette’s songs and also releases new material.

The first single “The Loneliest Girl In The World” is released on Friday, 3rd June along with a new video. The song is the first taster from the upcoming album “Pop-Up Dynamo!”, which follows in September.

Big challenge

The idea was to write poppy uptempo songs, with an ’80s and ’90s feel, which turned out to be a big challenge.

It’s very difficult to write three chord songs at my age. When you have worked with music for several decades, you become too sophisticated in your writing. You know all the tricks and have found your style.

Per continues:

But when the chorus to “The Loneliest Girl In The World” was born, I felt “shit, this is a good chorus”. I was so happy when I wrote it.

Per Gessle emphasizes that the decision to start Roxette again was not something that “came about yesterday”.

I’ve tried to do it in a way that feels relevant. That’s why it felt important not to hire Belinda Carlisle or Annie Lennox or someone to replace Marie. It should be different, but still the same and that puzzle should be solved.

“30 years of my life”

TT: But why not just continue under the “Per Gessle” flag?

Because in the long run I want to tour and play my old Roxette songs. If I tour like Per Gessle, then I play my Per Gessle songs. It’s still almost 30 years of my life that I have given to Roxette and the songs are my little babies. This is a Roxette project, but to mark that it’s not the old Roxette, I have added PG.

And the craving for more Roxette seems to exist. Per Gessle points out that Roxette still means a lot to tons of people, which can be seen not least in the streaming statistics.

It would be stupid to turn your back on it. In my industry, you have to activate music all the time. You have to have people working towards Netflix and Hollywood. Look at Kate Bush who got a US No. 1 now with her song after “Stranger Things”. You have to be active and the one who can be most active when it comes to Roxette is me.

“The world’s biggest band”

TT: But why does it feel so important?

It’s my whole life. It started with Gyllene Tider and then Roxette. And Roxette was one of the world’s biggest bands for a couple of years. Everything I do today is based on Roxette’s success. Not continuing would feel like giving up and it would be such a defeat for me personally not to be able to complete my journey.

Hopefully, there will be a tour as well.

We are looking at getting a European tour together, but it’s tricky to find venues. I hope to know more about it soon.

PG Roxette – “The Loneliest Girl In The World” single is out!

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The long-awaited first PG Roxette single is finally out! It contains two songs, The Loneliest Girl In The World and Sunflower.

Video – directed by Fredrik Etoall – recorded for TLGITW is set to premiere at 3 pm CET on 3rd June on Roxette’s YouTube channel. You’ll be able to watch it HERE. Don’t miss it!

The Loneliest Girl In The World is the first taste from the upcoming album Pop-Up Dynamo!, which follows this September. TLGITW feels like a natural next step for Per Gessle. With exuberant energy, the sweetest of melodies and their trademark don’t-bore-us-get-to-the-chorus addictiveness, it’s a song that would fit comfortably into any era of Roxette’s hefty back catalogue. Whether you consider it to be the poppiest rock around or pop with a little rock edge, it’s unmistakably Roxette.

Mr. G tells:

I had so much fun making these recordings. I really tried to go back to the writing style I had in the early days of Roxette and it was a blast. Some of the songs are the best I’ve ever done. And to work with all my Roxette-friends once again was amazing. We stick together like glue.

Read the complete press release related to the PG Roxette project HERE!

Per says about Sunflower:

I wrote the song “Sunflower” a long time ago but finished it just in time for the PG Roxette project. And no, it will NOT be included on the new album. Only on this single.

So, as you see your only chance to have the song on a physical release is to get the limited edition 7″ vinyl single. You can order it at Bengans or Ginza. For the digital version click Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube (TLGITW, Sunflower) or other digital platforms!

Additional info from PG regarding Sunflower:

It was actually written in January 2002 (!) but I made a new demo in August 2020 which is the foundation of the recording that’s now being released. And, of course, the lyrics are new. The original version from 2002 only had the lyrics in the chorus.

The Loneliest Girl In The World

I once was the chosen lucky one
Born under the sun and the powers he’s got

I once was a weirdo on a bus
Thinking about us
About me, about you, he-hey

It feels like I’ve been climbing over mountains
Like I’ve been riding jumping diving
Just to find out where you might be hiding
The loneliest girl in the world, uh huh

I recall (call call) shadows being tall
Kissing by the wall oh I felt so secure

I recall wishing we could be
The breeze across the trees
Just for fun, being like one

It feels like I’ve been climbing over mountains
Like I’ve been riding jumping diving
Just to find out where you might be hiding
The loneliest girl in the world

It feels like I’ve been flying over treetops
Like I’ve been scanning all my teardrops
Just to find out where you might be full stop
The loneliest girl in the world

It feels like I’ve been climbing over mountains
Like I’ve been driving all the highways
Just to find out where on earth you might stay
The loneliest girl in the world

It feels like I’ve been rushing through the moonlight
Like I’ve been searching every website
Just to find out where you might be tonight
The loneliest girl in the world, oh yea

The loneliest girl in the world aaaaahh
Feels like I’ve been running jumping diving
Just to find out where you might be hiding
Why is there no song playing
For the loneliest girl in the world?

Words + Music by Per Gessle
© Jimmy Fun Music

Produced by Magnus Börjeson + Clarence Öfwerman + Per Gessle. Co-produced by Christoffer Lundquist.
Recorded at Farozon, Malmö + Aerosol Grey Machine, Vallarum + Tits & Ass, Halmstad
Engineers: Magnus Börjeson + Christoffer Lundquist + MP Persson
Mixed by Ronny Lahti at Denebi Studios, Stockholm
Played by Magnus Börjeson: Programming + synthesizers + bass guitar
Clarence Öfwerman: Programming + synthesizers
Christoffer Lundquist: Electric guitars + synthesizers
Per Gessle: Lead vocals
Helena Josefsson: Vocals

Sunflower

Been living on my own with just a fork and spoon
Keeping my mind tidy in my tidy room

All I
All I ever really wanted
All I ever really needed
Was a minute to find my space in the show oh oh
Then I suddenly got to know
I heard a voice singing high and low
And it sounded like a love song to me

I’m a sunflower rising to the sky
Sunflower
Yellow, big and bright
A sunflower growing very high
Would you like to touch me, baby?

I felt so out of place like a man stuck on the moon
But everything has changed this crazy afternoon

All I
All I ever really wanted
All I ever really needed
Was a minute to find my spot in the show oh oh
Then I suddenly got to know
I heard a voice singing to and fro
And it sounded like a love song to me

I’m a sunflower rising to the sky
Sunflower
Yellow, big and bright
A sunflower growing very high
Would you like to touch me, baby?
Would you like to touch me, baby?

Words + music: Per Gessle
© Jimmy Fun Music

Produced by Per Gessle
Recorded at Tits & Ass, Halmstad
Engineer: MP Persson
Mixed by MP Persson + Per Gessle at Tits & Ass, Halmstad
Played by Per Gessle: Guitars + bass + synthesizers + piano + dobro + lead vocals
MP Persson: Programming
Helena Josefsson: Lead vocals


Vinyl sleeve design by Pär Wickholm, Wickholm Formavd., Stockholm. Photo by Fredrik Etoall.

PG Roxette releases debut single

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During their long history together, Roxette delivered a catalogue of unforgettable pop rock anthems such as It Must Have Been Love, Listen To Your Heart, Fading Like A Flower, The Look, Dressed For Success and Joyride. Climbing up the charts the world over, Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle sold over 80 million albums and achieved five consecutive UK Top 5 albums. As much as they were a defining influence on the ’80s and ’90s pop scenes, their songs are still being discovered and admired today – as evidenced by 8.5 million monthly listeners at Spotify.

Sadly, Roxette came to an end in 2019 with the tragic passing of Marie. For years, Per was torn between what to do next: Marie is irreplaceable, but he also wanted to celebrate her life and her legacy with the fans that made their journey what it was. Eventually, he reunited the classic Roxette live band – Jonas Isacsson, Clarence Öfwerman, Magnus Börjeson and Christoffer Lundquist – and called upon long-term backing vocalists Helena Josefsson and Dea Norberg as the people most able to channel some of Marie’s immense talent and indomitable spirit.

This new era starts as PG Roxette shares his debut single The Loneliest Girl In The World along with its official video. The song is the first taste from the upcoming album Pop-Up Dynamo!, which follows this September.

The Loneliest Girl In The World feels like a natural next step for Per Gessle. With exuberant energy, the sweetest of melodies and their trademark don’t-bore-us-get-to-the-chorus addictiveness, it’s a song that would fit comfortably into any era of Roxette’s hefty back catalogue. Whether you consider it to be the poppiest rock around or pop with a little rock edge, it’s unmistakably Roxette.

Per says:

I had so much fun making these recordings. I really tried to go back to the writing style I had in the early days of Roxette and it was a blast. Some of the songs are the best I’ve ever done. And to work with all my Roxette-friends once again was amazing. We stick together like glue.

So that’s how PG Roxette came about. But why Per felt the need to return is best told in his own words. He explains:

Since the ’80s, my whole life has been spinning around Roxette and to this day it’s still what excites me the most. There are millions of people out there who still love the band so of course I want to keep our music alive. At first, I wasn’t sure which way to go but as time passed by it became clear that I want to continue this fantastic joyride. I want to keep the legacy of Roxette alive.

I’ve written almost every song Roxette has recorded over the years and they mean the world to me. When I started to write, my ambition was to try to create a sibling to ‘Look Sharp!’ and ‘Joyride’ – and that’s actually exactly how it sounds. I’ve wanted to create a modern production, but with the typical Roxette trademarks.

It’s impossible to replace Marie and that was never my intention. Our Roxette era was an unbelievable fantasy that we got to share together. I’m excited to be able to continue this journey, but in a different way. Needless to say that if Marie was still here, we’d be doing this together.

I feel this is the right decision. I’m so proud of this body of work and I love working with these people.

Tracklist of the single:

A   The Loneliest Girl In The World
B   Sunflower

The physical, limited edition 7″ vinyl single you can pre-order at Bengans, Ginza and other online shops. You can pre-save the digital version – and with this, enter a contest to win a digital meet & greet with Per Gessle – HERE.

Release date is 3rd June!

Start of the PG Roxette era

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An era is over. Another one is born.

With the birth of PG Roxette, Per Gessle will continue the adventure he and Marie Fredriksson began, just over 35 years ago. Together with members from the classic Roxette band and a sound echoing somewhere between “Look Sharp!” and “Joyride” Gessle returns to the musical peak of his life – with a new album and plans for a tour.

Per Gessle says:

Since the 80’s, my whole life has been spinning around Roxette and to this day it’s still what excites me the most. There are millions of people out there who still love the band so of course I want to keep our music alive.

Years have passed and Per Gessle has been torn between different visions. The Roxette we once knew no longer exists, but Per strongly felt he wasn’t ready to bury Roxette for good. He still has so much to give, so many more songs to write. Most of all, Roxette brings him nothing but pure joy and energy.

After all there are only two options with Roxette: Either to put the lid on or to continue in some shape or form. At first, I wasn’t sure which way to go but as time passed by it became clear that I want to continue this fantastic joyride. I want to keep the legacy of Roxette alive. I’ve written almost every song Roxette has recorded over the years and they mean the world to me. Hence, I feel this is the right decision. I’m so proud of this body of work and I love working with these people.

Because even if PG Roxette surely marks the beginning of a new era, there’s also a lot for the fans to recognize; both in the new music and in the people who’ve created it. For the recording of the upcoming album, Gessle gathered the classic Roxette band – Jonas Isacsson, Clarence Öfwerman, Magnus Börjeson and Christoffer Lundquist with the aim to make a classic Roxette record.

When I started to write, my ambition was to try to create a sibling to ”Look Sharp!” and “Joyride” – and that’s actually exactly how it sounds. I’ve wanted to create a modern production, but with the typical Roxette trademarks.

In 2016 Roxette did their very last concert. Three years later Marie Fredriksson passed away, after her battle with cancer for 17 years.

A Roxette without Marie sheds light on a burning question: Who can fill the shoes left by one of the greatest pop singers of our time?

Simple answer: No one can.

Instead, Per is joined by two other singers very well known to most of the Roxette fans; Helena Josefsson and Dea Norberg. Both have been in the inner circle of Roxette for years.

It’s impossible to replace Marie and that was never my intention. Our Roxette era was an unbelievable fantasy that we got to share together. I’m excited to be able to continue this journey, but in a different way. Needless to say that if Marie was still here, we’d be doing this together.

Next up is the release of the PG Roxette album and eventually a tour with both new music and old Roxette material in the setlist.

I’m super proud of all the amazing recordings Roxette did and the new material really feels incredible. It’s not always that easy to re-invent yourself when you’ve been doing this for as long as I have with a huge body of work as a result. Sometimes you feel you repeat yourself, but then suddenly you tread on unfamiliar ground and you get curious in a wonderful way. That’s when I feel this is my life, this is what I do best, this is where I belong.

The PG Roxette album is set to release mid September, with a first single out end of May.

Per is working with PG Roxette alongside his upcoming unplugged tour in Sweden, which starts April 21.

Pics by Fredrik Etoall

To be among the first ones who can listen to PG Roxette’s upcoming single in May, don’t forget to follow PG Roxette on Spotify!

Per Gessle to release new album under PG Roxette

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As Göteborgs-Posten informs, Per Gessle has decided – there will be a continuation for Roxette, under the name PG Roxette and with Helena Josefsson and Dea Norberg on vocals.

Since singer Marie Fredriksson passed away on December 9, 2019, Roxette partner Per Gessle has not really known what to do with the band that made the two friends world stars in the 80’s and 90’s.

Now he has come to a decision. Roxette continues under the name PG Roxette. A new single is coming already in May, an album in September and after that a big tour. Per Gessle will sing together with Helena Josefsson and Dea Norberg, both longtime members of Per’s expanded musical family both solo and with Gyllene Tider and Roxette.

PG says in a press release:

It’s not possible to replace Marie and that is not something I want either. It was an era and a fantastic dream we got to share together. But it feels exciting to be able to continue this journey – albeit in a different way. If Marie had still been alive, we would of course have done this together.

The new album is already done, in the studio there were good old Roxette musicians: Jonas Isacsson, Clarence Öfwerman, Magnus Börjeson and Christoffer Lundquist. Of course, drummer Pelle Alsing, who passed away in 2020, was missing.

Per adds:

The new material feels really fantastic. It’s not always easy to renew yourself when you’ve been around for as long as I have. Sometimes you feel that you repeat yourself, but sometimes you end up on untrodden ground and become so wonderfully curious and then I feel that this is my life, that this is what I can do.

Per Gessle is currently preparing for a twelve-concert spring tour with an acoustic setting where he plays songs from his entire career.

Photos by Patrícia Peres from 2014 (PG + Dea) and 2018 (PG + Helena).