In early 1999, Roxette made a stylish return with “Wish I Could Fly,” the lead single from their album Have a Nice Day. After a few quieter years, the Swedish duo stepped back into the spotlight with a track that felt more mature, more atmospheric—and still unmistakably Roxette.
A New Sound for a New Era
Gone were the bright guitars and bubblegum hooks of their late-’80s hits. “Wish I Could Fly” leaned into orchestral pop and subtle electronica, with lush strings, moody synths, and a slow, pulsing beat. It was a sonic shift that suited the late ’90s—and showed Roxette could evolve without losing their melodic magic.
Marie Fredriksson’s vocals are the heart of the song: rich, restrained, and full of longing. When she sings: “Wish I could fly / Out in the blue / Over this town / Following you…” you feel every ounce of that ache.
Lyrics That Hover Between Hope and Heartache
This isn’t a love song—it’s a song about watching love from a distance. The narrator isn’t with the person they want; they’re imagining what it would be like to get closer, to understand, to connect. The idea of flying becomes a metaphor for emotional reach—wanting to bridge the gap between two people who aren’t quite aligned.
It’s wistful, a little haunting, and totally relatable.
Chart Buzz and a Cinematic Video
While it didn’t crack the U.S. charts in a big way, “Wish I Could Fly” was a major hit across Europe. It reached #11 in the UK, Top 10 in Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland, and even hit #1 in Hungary. It also became the most-played song on European radio in 1999—a quiet triumph that proved Roxette still had serious pull.
The music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, matched the mood perfectly. Set in a shadowy apartment building, it showed people alone in their rooms—each one caught in their own emotional orbit. It was stylish, cinematic, and just the right amount of mysterious.
Why It Still Soars
“Wish I Could Fly” has aged beautifully. It’s one of Roxette’s most-streamed songs today and a standout from their later catalog. It showed they could grow with their audience—trading youthful flash for something more reflective, without losing their emotional punch.
It’s a song about longing, distance, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, you’ll find your way to someone who feels out of reach.