Dangerous by Roxette Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Allure of Risk in Romance

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Roxette's Dangerous at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

You pack your bag, you take control
You’re moving into my heart and into my soul
Get out of my way, get out of my sight
I won’t be walking on thin ice to get through the night
Hey, where’s your work? What’s your game?
I know your business but I don’t know your name

Hold on tight, you know she’s a little bit dangerous
She’s got what it takes to make ends meet
The eyes of a lover that hit like heat
You know she’s a little bit dangerous

You turn around, so hot and dry
You’re hiding under a halo, your mouth is alive
Get out of my way (get out of my way)
Get out of my sight (get out of my sight)
I’m not attracted to go, go deeper tonight
Hey, what’s your word? What’s your game?
I know your business but I don’t know your name

Hold on tight, you know she’s a little bit dangerous
She’s got what it takes to make ends meet
The eyes of a lover that hit like heat
You know she’s a little bit dangerous
Oh, just a little bit dangerous

Hey, hey, hey, what’s your word? What’s your game?
I know your business but I don’t know your name

Hold on tight, you know she’s a little bit dangerous
She’s got what it takes to make ends meet
The eyes of a lover that hit like heat
You know she’s a little bit dangerous
She’s armed and she’s extremely dangerous
She’s got what it takes to make ends meet
The eyes of a lover that hit like heat
You know she’s a little bit dangerous
Oh, just a little bit dangerous

Oh, oh, oh, hey, where’s your work?
Mmm, what’s your game?
I don’t know your name
Hey, you
Oh, just a little bit dangerous
I don’t know your name

The 1980s witnessed the ascension of Swedish pop duo Roxette to the summit of the global music scene, with their catalog of hits that interlaced catchy tunes and emotionally resonant lyrics. ‘Dangerous’, a track that pulses with the beat of forbidden desire and electric encounters, stands out even in their illustrious repertoire.

The song’s surface may shimmer with the neon glow of pop sensibility, but a deeper dive reveals its thematic concerns with the complications of attraction and the inherent risks of passion. The lyrics weave a cautionary tale of a romantic interest who is as enchanting as she is perilous.

The Enigma of Attraction and the Lure of the Forbidden

With its synthesized rhythm and tantalizing chorus, ‘Dangerous’ captures the duality of enticement and forewarning. The protagonist is ensnared by someone who is ‘a little bit dangerous,’ an admission that acknowledges the thrill that often accompanies the shadow of risk. This person is an enigma, a beguiling mystery that the singer cannot stay away from, despite the warning signals their presence elicits.

In just a few verses, Roxette paints a picture of a red-flag romance, where allure and potential peril are tightly entwined. The song taps into a universal human condition—the temptation to reach for what we know might hurt us, compelled by an almost primal curiosity and the promise of excitement.

I Won’t Be Walking on Thin Ice – The Reluctance to Fall Too Deep

‘I won’t be walking on thin ice to get through the night,’ Roxette declares, suggesting a resistance to fully succumb to the object of their affection’s influence. There’s a recognition of the need to maintain control, even when drawn strongly towards a person exuding an intoxicating aura of danger.

The metaphor of thin ice is deliberate, emphasizing the frailty of the ground the protagonist walks on. It evokes the precarious balance between indulging in the intensity of the moment and the self-preservation instincts that urge caution before plunging headlong into the unknown.

The Eyes of a Lover That Hit Like Heat – A Pulsating Desire

The lines ‘The eyes of a lover that hit like heat’ juxtapose the immediacy of physical attraction with its lasting impact—the kind that burns and sears into memory. Roxette masterfully uses imagery here to denote the sort of passion that’s not just fleeting or superficial but rather a kind that scorches, leaving an indelible mark.

By comparing the gaze of this dangerous lover to heat, there’s an implication of the profound and potentially consuming power of their attraction. Their look alone bears the ability to alter the climate of a room, of a heart, signaling a connection that’s impossible to ignore or forget.

Underneath the Halo – The Complexity of Human Connection

‘You’re hiding under a halo, your mouth is alive,’ the song cries out, suggesting the presence of deceit or at least a two-faced nature. The allusion to a halo implies an image of innocence or virtue, potentially a façade disguising more mischievous intentions beneath.

The animation of the person’s mouth as ‘alive’ indicates a seductive or compelling communication style—perhaps lies smoothly spoken or truths too tantalizing to resist. Here, the song speaks to the allure of a person who exudes charisma and danger in equal parts—a classic hallmark of the ‘bad boy’ or ‘femme fatale’ trope in popular culture.

She’s Got What It Takes to Make Ends Meet – Independence and Power

‘She’s got what it takes to make ends meet,’ suggests a character that is not just perilously intoxicating, but also fiercely independent. The line serves a dual purpose: it humanizes the object of the protagonist’s fascination, grounding her in the everyday struggle for survival and success.

This phrase underscores an inherent strength and perhaps a hustle that’s as admirable as it is ironically intimidating. It adds a layer of complexity to the song’s subject, pointing to her multifaceted nature and the fact that her dangerousness might not just stem from her power over hearts but from the empowerment of her own autonomy.