"Look Sharp!" is the second studio album by Swedish pop rock duo Roxette, released on October 21, 1988, by EMI. Following their debut album, "Pearls of Passion," this album was recorded at EMI Studios in Stockholm and Trident II Studios in London between March and September 1988. It quickly became a commercial success in Sweden, debuting at number one and achieving 6× platinum certification.
While initial international success was modest, "Look Sharp!" marked Roxette's breakthrough, ultimately earning platinum or multi-platinum certifications in several countries. The album produced four successful singles in the U.S., where it was certified platinum. Notably, "The Look" and "Listen to Your Heart" both reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, while "Dangerous" and "Dressed for Success" peaked at numbers 2 and 14, respectively.
The album's lead singles, "Dressed for Success" and "Listen to Your Heart," were highlighted in Sweden, where they became immediate hits. However, "Chances," the first single in France, Germany, and Italy, did not chart.
The turning point came with the release of "The Look" as the fourth single in January 1989. An American exchange student, Dean Cushman, discovered the album and introduced it to KDWB 101.3 FM, a local Top 40 radio station in Minnesota. The song gained traction, entering the Billboard Hot 100 before official promotion began, and eventually peaked at number one.
Over the next year, "The Look" became a global sensation, topping charts in 25 countries and enjoying six weeks at number one in Australia. The success led to the re-release of earlier singles internationally, solidifying Roxette's place in the pop landscape of the late '80s.
