Roxette - The Ballad Hits [Japan Edition] (2002)

Listen to the heart when it's calling for you! What can be better than a heart full of raspberries on the cover of an album? The music inside. 'The Ballad Hits' is a compilation of 14 international hit singles + one previously unreleased track spanning Roxette's entire career.

1. A Thing About You - The first new single from the compilation of hits. This time Per takes the role of lead vocalist with Marie on backup, resulting in a song that I've been singing in my head since last September. This is one of those "crush" songs that Per so often writes. "Lately you've been painting my world blue | I've got a thing about you and I don't really care what you do."

2. It Must Have Been Love - Oh yes, the biggest hit of their career. Spent 2 weeks at #1 in 1990 in the USA. The song was originally released in 1987 as a Christmas single, 'It Must Have Been Love [Christmas For The Broken-Hearted].' It became a huge hit in Sweden that year but didn't get it's big break until it was slightly remixed for the 'Pretty Woman' movie in 1990. Check out the original version on the 'Pearls Of Passion' reissue (1997) and an amazing alternate "country" take on 'Tourism' (1992).

3. Listen To Your Heart - From the 'Look Sharp!' album. If you really want to "feel" the power of a power ballad, listen to this. You will be blown away. One of their most known songs, and their 2nd #1 hit in the USA.

4. Fading Like A Flower - Ahhh. There it is again. Power pop ballad! From the 'Joyride' album and #2 hit in the US. Killer chorus.

5. Spending My Time - From the 'Joyride' project as well. Following in the steps of 'Fading Like A Flower,' this is another power ballad to add to the collection.

6. Queen Of Rain - Originally, this song was slated for the closing track of the 'Joyride' album. It was replaced at the last minute with 'Perfect Day.' 'Queen Of Rain' was, however, saved and released as the 2nd hit single from the 'Tourism' album. This track was never released as a single in the USA but definately deserves a place on the collection with its haunting arrangement and beautiful lyrics.

7. Almost Unreal - Originally written by Per for a Bette Midler movie, this track ended up in the 'Super Mario Bros.' movie and soundtrack instead. That didn't stop the song from becoming a big hit in Europe, however, where it reached a #7 position in the U.K. The hocus-pocus power chorus does it for me.

8. Crash! Boom! Bang! - The title track and 2nd hit single from the album, 'Crash! Boom! Bang!' The sweeping production and string arrangement really make this one a gem.

9. Vulnerable - Written in 1990 but too late for the 'Joyride' project, this track found it's way on the 'Crash! Boom! Bang!' album in 1994 and on single format in early 1995. It's one of the few ballads where Per takes the role of lead vocalist.

10. You Don't Understand Me - Released as the first single from the international 1995 'Greatest Hits' album, 'Don't Bore Us - Get To The Chorus.' Co-written with Desmond Child.

11. Wish I Could Fly - The first single from 'Have A Nice Day' and the 7th most played song in Europe in 1999. USA fans might remember this song as Roxette's US "comeback" in 2000, as it was promoted as the first release from the U.S. 'Greatest Hits' package. 'Wish I Could Fly' is one of those special songs to me because it's perfection on all levels: arrangement, production, vocals, and lyrics. It's quite simply my favorite song ever.

12. Anyone - Originally intended to be the first single from 'Have A Nice Day,' Roxette pushed this song to 2nd single status as they feared that it sounded too "Roxette-ish" for a comeback single. Although the song didn't achieve the massive success of 'Wish I Could Fly,' it's a fantastic one to add to the collection with it's haunting, sad lyrics and production.

13. Salvation - The fourth and final single from the 'Have A Nice Day' project. This song is so beautiful! Very touching lyrics and a fantastic vocal performance by Marie.

14. Milk And Toast And Honey - What do you get with a title like this? Breakfast? Perhaps. How about another hit! Per had the song in his head for 6 months before making a demo. It resulted in the 3rd single release from their 2001 album, 'Room Service.' Unlike the previous power ballads in the collection, Roxette tone down the sound a bit on this one. Instead of the overblown production of songs like "Listen To Your Heart, 'Milk And Toast And Honey' is one of those sweeping, light, warm ballads that just makes you feel good inside.

15. Breathe - I call this one the USA hit waiting to happen. Although I love 'A Thing About You,' 'Breathe' has hit written all over it. It would really be a shame if this never got a chance in the USA, since I think it could really break them into the market again. It's perfect for all pop radio formats and could do very well if given a push by Capitol. But then again, I'm just a fan who dreams. Internationally, 'Breathe' was left behind in favor of putting out a new 'Pop Hits' single in early 2003. Now I'm just hoping it will find its way in the USA…"'cos like rain it swept away…"