Dressed for Success

"Dressed for Success"
"Dressed for Success"
	Swedish single cover
Single by Roxette
from the album Look Sharp!
B-side	"The Voice"
Released	3 August 1988
Recorded	May–June 1988
Studio	EMI (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre	Synth-rock
Length	4:09
Label	EMI
Songwriter	Per Gessle
Producer	Clarence Öfwerman
Roxette singles chronology
Music video
	"Dressed for Success" on YouTube
Alternative cover
	International cover

"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,^[2] most notably in Australia, where it peaked in the top 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.^[3]

The song was not without controversy after its release in the US in October of 1989. The song was famously banned from Minneapolis based Christian contemporary radio station KTIS-FM 98.5 FM after radio producers Freddy Nefler and Annie Herman claimed the lyrics were salaciously suggestive. In an October 1989 interview with New York City based Reader's Digest, Ms. Herman claimed the female lead singer Marie Fredriksson "intentionally used her Swedish accent to lead the listener down a path of sin". In the interview, Mr. Nefler suggests that "Ms. Fredriksson tells the story of a young girl dressing up for success on the streets rather than in preparation for the love of any man." Both radio producers later recanted their story after an angry fan mailed the radio station a copy of Roxette's album Look Sharp and the lyric sheet revealed that Ms. Frederikson was actually singing "Dressed for Success" and not "Dressed for Some Sex".

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".^[4] Bryan Buss from AllMusic described the song as "punchy" and "hopeful".^[5] 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".^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

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)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[9]	3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[11]	23
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[13]	34
Ireland (IRMA)^[14]	14
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)^[15]	15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[16]	36
Spain (AFYVE)^[17]	12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[18]	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[19]	4
UK Singles (OCC)^[20]	18
UK Airplay (Music Week)^[21]	6
US Billboard Hot 100^[22]	14
US Cash Box Top 100^[23]	14
US Top 40 (Gavin Report)^[24]	12
US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)^[25]	16
West Germany (GfK)^[26]	16

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Position
Australia (ARIA)^[27]	20
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[28]	91
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[29]	29

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[27]	Platinum	70,000^{^}
Canada (Music Canada)^[30]	Gold	50,000^{^}
Sweden (GLF)^[31]	Gold	25,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Sweden	3 August 1988	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl	EMI	^{[citation needed]}
United Kingdom	3 July 1989	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		^[32]
Japan	19 July 1989	Mini-CD		^[33]
United Kingdom (re-release)	15 October 1990	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		^[34]

References

^ Breihan, Tom (20 August 2021). "The Number Ones: Roxette's 'Listen To Your Heart'". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 December 2023. Dressed For Success" is a ridiculously catchy uptempo synth-rocker...
^ Thorselius, Robert (May 2003). The Look for Roxette: The Illustrated Worldwide Discography & Price Guide (1st ed.). Sweden: Premium Förlag Publishing. ISBN 978-9197189484.
^ "Digital booklet". Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus (liner notes). Roxette. Stockholm, Sweden: EMI Records. 1995. 7243 836203 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Dee, Johnny (15 July 1989). "Review: Roxette — Dressed for Success" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 28. ISSN 0144-5804. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022 – via World Radio History.
^ Buss, Bryan. "Roxette – Dressed for Success". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
^ Ballad & Pop Hits - The Complete Video Collection (DVD liner notes). Roxette. EMI. 2003. 7243 4 90946 9 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Booklet". The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06 (liner notes). Roxette. Stockholm, Sweden: Roxette Recordings and Capitol Records. 2006. 9463 67972–2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6421." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 32. 12 August 1989. p. V.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Dressed For Success". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. 11 November 1990.
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Roxette: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 24 November 1990. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
^ "Roxette Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
^ "the Gavin Report – Top 40". Gavin Report. No. 1764. San Francisco, CA. 7 July 1989. p. 6.
^ "R&R The Back Page – National Airplay Overview: July 14, 1989 – CHR". Radio & Records. No. 797. Los Angeles, CA. 14 July 1989. p. 96. ISSN 0277-4860.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ ^a ^b "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1989". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
^ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. 23 December 1989. Retrieved 15 November 2016 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Roxette – Dressed for Success". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^ "New Singles". Music Week. 1 July 1989. p. 35.
^ "ドレスド・フォー・サクセス | ロクセット" [Dressed for Success | Roxette] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
^ "New Singles". Music Week. 13 October 1990. p. 39.

[1] Breihan, Tom (20 August 2021). "The Number Ones: Roxette's 'Listen To Your Heart'". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 December 2023. Dressed For Success" is a ridiculously catchy uptempo synth-rocker...

[2] Thorselius, Robert (May 2003). The Look for Roxette: The Illustrated Worldwide Discography & Price Guide (1st ed.). Sweden: Premium Förlag Publishing. ISBN 978-9197189484.

[liner-3] "Digital booklet". Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus (liner notes). Roxette. Stockholm, Sweden: EMI Records. 1995. 7243 836203 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[RMreview-4] Dee, Johnny (15 July 1989). "Review: Roxette — Dressed for Success" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 28. ISSN 0144-5804. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022 – via World Radio History.

[5] Buss, Bryan. "Roxette – Dressed for Success". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2020.

[6] "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 25 September 2020.

[rox-dvd-7] Ballad & Pop Hits - The Complete Video Collection (DVD liner notes). Roxette. EMI. 2003. 7243 4 90946 9 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[8] "Booklet". The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06 (liner notes). Roxette. Stockholm, Sweden: Roxette Recordings and Capitol Records. 2006. 9463 67972–2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[Aus-9] "Roxette – Dressed For Success". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[sc_Austria_Roxette-10] "Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[sc_Flanders_Roxette-11] "Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_Roxette-12] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6421." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[13] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 32. 12 August 1989. p. V.

[sc_Ireland2_-14] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Dressed For Success". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[15] Radio Luxembourg Singles. 11 November 1990.

[sc_New_Zealand_Roxette-16] "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[17] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Sweden_Roxette-18] "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[sc_Switzerland_Roxette-19] "Roxette – Dressed For Success". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Roxette-20] "Roxette: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[21] "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 24 November 1990. Retrieved 21 September 2025.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Roxette-22] "Roxette Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[23] Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.

[24] "the Gavin Report – Top 40". Gavin Report. No. 1764. San Francisco, CA. 7 July 1989. p. 6.

[25] "R&R The Back Page – National Airplay Overview: July 14, 1989 – CHR". Radio & Records. No. 797. Los Angeles, CA. 14 July 1989. p. 96. ISSN 0277-4860.

[sc_West_Germany_Roxette-26] "Offiziellecharts.de – Roxette – Dressed For Success" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[AusCert-27] "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1989". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 January 2017.

[28] "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. 23 December 1989. Retrieved 15 November 2016 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[29] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[CanadaRoxetteDressed_for_SuccesssingleCertRef-30] "Canadian single certifications – Roxette – Dressed for Success". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[SwedenRoxetteDressed_for_SuccesssingleCertRef-31] "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

[32] "New Singles". Music Week. 1 July 1989. p. 35.

[33] "ドレスド・フォー・サクセス | ロクセット" [Dressed for Success | Roxette] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 1 September 2023.

[34] "New Singles". Music Week. 13 October 1990. p. 39.

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v t e Roxette singles
Pearls of Passion	"Neverending Love" "Goodbye to You" "Soul Deep" "I Call Your Name"
Look Sharp!	"Dressed for Success" "Listen to Your Heart" "Chances" "The Look" "Dangerous"
Joyride	"Joyride" "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" "The Big L." "Spending My Time" "Church of Your Heart"
Tourism	"How Do You Do!" "Queen of Rain" "Fingertips '93"
Crash! Boom! Bang!	"Sleeping in My Car" "Crash! Boom! Bang!" "Fireworks" "Run to You" "Vulnerable"
Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus!	"You Don't Understand Me" "The Look '95" "June Afternoon" "She Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
Baladas en Español	"Un Día Sin Ti" "No Sé Si Es Amor"
Have a Nice Day	"Wish I Could Fly" "Anyone" "Stars" "Salvation"
Room Service	"The Centre of the Heart" "Real Sugar" "Milk and Toast and Honey"
The Ballad Hits	"A Thing About You"
The Pop Hits	"Opportunity Nox"
A Collection of Roxette Hits: Their 20 Greatest Songs!	"One Wish" "Reveal"
Charm School	"She's Got Nothing On (But the Radio)" "Speak to Me" "Way Out"
Travelling	"It's Possible"
Good Karma	"It Just Happens" "Some Other Summer" "Why Don't You Bring Me Flowers?"
Bag of Trix	"Let Your Heart Dance with Me" "Tú No Me Comprendes" "Piece of Cake"
Soundtrack	"It Must Have Been Love" "Almost Unreal"
Other	"I Want You" "The Sweet Hello, The Sad Goodbye" (Bassflow Remake) "The Look (2015 Remake)"

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