"Dressed for Success" is a song by Swedish pop rock duo Roxette, released in Europe on 3 August 1988 as the lead single from their second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). Following the international success of "The Look" – the album's third single in their home country, but the first to be released outside of Sweden – "Dressed for Success" was re-issued internationally in 1989 and became a worldwide hit, most notably in Australia, where it peaked at number three and was certified platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
Recording The recording of the song was marked by a dispute between the band members, but this apparently contributed to the strength of Marie's performance. "I was so mad when I did it. Everything about that session went wrong, we argued about the arrangement, we changed the key, I was dead tired of the song when I went in to do a guide vocal. Did it in one blast and suddenly realized, 'hmm... this is it'."
— Marie Fredriksson, Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus! liner notes.
Critical reception In an ironic review of 15 July 1989 the Johnny Dee, observer of British music newspaper Record Mirror, placed it into "thumbs-down section" but expressed regret by saying that "isn't all that bad". As per him song has "a nifty beat". Bryan Buss from AllMusic described the song as "punchy" and "hopeful". Music & Media commented, "Another relentless pop song from the Swedish duo. Reminiscent of The Look but this time the emphasis is more on Marie Frederiksson's vocals".
Music video The music video for the song mostly revolves around the duo performing together in "nightclub ruins" (similar to those featured in their previous video, "The Look", also directed by Peter Heath) as several dancers and groups of party-goers sway to the song.
Formats and track listings All songs were written and composed by Per Gessle.
US 7-inch and cassette single (50204; 4JM-50204) "Dressed for Success" – 4:19 "The Look" (album version) – 4:11
Swedish and UK 7-inch single (1363207; EM96) UK cassette single (TCEM96) "Dressed for Success" – 4:19 "The Voice" – 4:16
Swedish 12-inch single (1363216) "Dressed for Success" (The Look Sharp! remix) – 7:50 "Dressed for Success" (instrumental) – 4:13 "Dressed for Success" (7-inch version) – 4:13 "The Voice" – 4:16
UK 12-inch single (12EM96) "Dressed for Success" (remix) – 6:30 "The Look" (Big Red mix) – 7:32 "The Voice" – 4:16
US CD single (DPRO-04295) "Dressed for Success" (7-inch version) – 4:16 "Dressed for Success" (Look Sharp! mix) – 4:52
UK CD single (CDEM96) "Dressed for Success" (7-inch version) – 4:13 "The Look" (7-inch version) – 3:57 "Dressed for Success" (remix) – 6:30 "The Voice" – 4:16
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06. Recorded between May and June 1988 at EMI Studios, Stockholm, Sweden Mixed at EMI Studios, Stockholm Single version mixed at The Grey Room, Los Angeles
Musicians Marie Fredriksson – lead and background vocals Per Gessle – lead and background vocals, mixing Anders Herrlin – programming, engineering Jonas Isacsson – electric and acoustic guitars Clarence Öfwerman – keyboards, programming, production, mixing Alar Suurna – mixing, engineering Chris Lord-Alge – mixing (single version)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1988–1990) Peakposition Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 34 Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. 11 November 1990. 15 Spain (AFYVE) 12 UK Airplay (Music Week) 6 US Cash Box Top 100 14 US Top 40 (Gavin Report) 12 US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records) 16
Year-end charts Chart (1989)PositionAustralia (ARIA)20Canada Top Singles (RPM)91Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)29
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Sweden3 August 1988EMIUnited Kingdom3 July 1989Japan19 July 1989Mini-CDUnited Kingdom (re-release)15 October 1990
References