“Listen to Your Heart” is a song by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released in September 1988 with “(I Could Never) Give You Up” on the B-side as the second single from their album Look Sharp!. It became one of the band’s most successful and iconic ballads, showcasing their talent for blending emotional lyrics with powerful melodies.
“Listen to Your Heart” is a classic power ballad, featuring soaring vocals from Marie Fredriksson and a grand, emotional arrangement. The song begins with a soft piano intro, gradually building up with synthesizers, guitars, and drums into a dramatic crescendo. The powerful production, along with Fredriksson’s expressive vocals, gives the song an epic, heartfelt quality typical of 1980s ballads. The song’s lyrics speak about a relationship in turmoil, where the narrator is offering advice to a partner struggling with conflicting emotions.
“Listen to Your Heart” was a major commercial success. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in 1989, becoming Roxette’s second No. 1 hit in the U.S. after “The Look“, and on Canada Top Singles chart. The song also charted highly in several other countries, including the UK, Germany, and Australia, solidifying Roxette’s status as international pop stars.
“Listen to Your Heart” remains one of Roxette’s signature songs and one of the defining power ballads of the 1980s. Its combination of emotional depth and powerful production continues to resonate with listeners, and the song has been covered and performed by numerous artists over the years.