Roxette - Dangerous

“Dangerous” – Roxette (1988)
“Dangerous” is a high-energy pop-rock single by Swedish duo Roxette, written by Per Gessle and released in 1988 on their breakthrough album Look Sharp!. The track combines catchy hooks, driving guitar riffs, and Marie Fredriksson’s powerful vocals, showcasing Roxette’s signature blend of rock edge and polished pop. Its lyrics describe a captivating but risky attraction, portraying the thrill and uncertainty of falling for someone whose charm may come with consequences.

At the time it was written, Europe was in the late 1980s musical landscape, where glossy pop and glam-influenced rock dominated radio. Roxette recorded Look Sharp! in Sweden, during a period when few non-English-speaking bands were breaking into the global pop market. The success of “Dangerous,” along with other singles like “The Look” and “Listen to Your Heart,” helped propel Roxette to international stardom. By 1989, “Dangerous” climbed to the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, marking them as one of the few Swedish acts since ABBA to achieve global mainstream success.

The song reflects both the era’s love for big, radio-friendly pop-rock anthems and Roxette’s knack for crafting infectious melodies that transcended cultural boundaries. It remains one of their defining tracks from the late ‘80s pop explosion.