"The Big L." is a song by Swedish pop duo Roxette. Written by Per Gessle, it was released on 12 August 1991 by EMI Records as the third single from their third studio album, Joyride (1991). The song is produced by Clarence Öfwerman and became a top-10 hit in Belgium, Ireland and Sweden and was the album's highest-charting single in France, where it reached number 24. Despite a US radio mix of the song appearing on CD versions of the single, it was never released as a single in North America.
Critical reception Scottish Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that "they can still bang out a decent tune.""Singles". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 29 August 1991. page 7. AllMusic editor Bryan Buss wrote in his review of Joyride, that "The Big L." follows in the successful vein Gessle and Fredriksson mined with "The Look". Swedish Expressen called it a "peppery pop song adorned with details from old rock 'n' roll"."Roxette: Joyride". Expressen. 26 March 1991. I Dag described it as "classic pop that could just as well be Gyllene Tider in the 90s".I Dag. 2 June 1991. Kim Såtvedt from Norwegian Laagendalsposten named it a "useful up-tempo song". A reviewer from Music & Media wrote that the song is "again proof of Per Gessle's knack for writing pleasant pop underpinned by rocking beats. The casual but economic production further adds to the song's power."
Formats and track listings All songs were written and composed by Per Gessle.
Cassette and 7-inch single (Europe 1364347 · UK EM204) "The Big L." – 4:29 "One Is Such a Lonely Number" (Demo, September 1987) – 3:33
12-inch single (Europe 1364346) "The Big L." (The Bigger, The Better Mix) – 6:17 "The Big L." – 4:29 "One Is Such a Lonely Number" (Demo) – 3:33
CD single (Europe 1364342) "The Big L." – 4:29 "One Is Such a Lonely Number" (Demo) – 3:33 "The Big L." (The Bigger, The Better Mix) – 6:17 "The Big L." (US Mix) – 4:35
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06.
Studios Recorded in June 1990 at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) Mixed at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
Musicians Marie Fredriksson – lead vocals, background vocals Per Gessle – lead vocals, background vocals, mixing Anders Herrlin – programming, engineering Jonas Isacsson – electric guitars, acoustic guitars, harmonica Clarence Öfwerman – keyboards, programming, production, mixing Staffan Öfwerman – background vocals Alar Suurna – mixing, engineering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1991) PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 17Europe (European Hit Radio) 5Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 11Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. 15 September 1991. 16Spain (AFYVE) 14UK Airplay (Music Week) 2
Year-end charts Chart (1991) PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 65Europe (European Hit Radio) 38Germany (Media Control) 96Sweden (Topplistan) 66
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Australia12 August 19917-inch vinylEMIEurope26 August 1991Australia9 September 1991Japan16 October 1991Mini-CD
References