NEW YORK - Per Gessle, as we previously reported, has written a Christmas song for Peter Jöback's Swedish holiday album, "Jag Kommer Hem Igen till Jul," that is being released today.


  The song, "Varmt Igen" ("Warm Again"), was composed by Per in Halmstad last June, while he was working with some other songs in Swedish.

  "Fate had it that Ms. Dimberg visited the Tits&Ass studio while I was recording the demo and she obviously fell in love with the song," Per tells The Daily Roxette. "She asked if Peter could get it for his upcoming album." He is referring to Marie Dimberg, whose company – d&d Management – manages the careers of both Roxette and Jöback.

  "I hesitated as always when inquiries like this occur, but realized very soon that Peter was working with Lars Halapi, who I consider to be a brilliant producer. And knowing Peter a bit, I knew he definitely was more than able to deliver this tune," which Per assures he did, and that the song "sounds great."

  Ever playful, Per laughingly says: "So… everyone goes home in a limousine!!!"

  Meanwhile Jöback, who TDR reached while in rehearsal for his upcoming tour, says that "When I heard the song, I thought it would make the perfect ending to my Christmas album. Ending with 'Varmt Igen' gives a promise of brighter days when everything is re-born after a long winter."

  "Per is one of the world's greatest songwriters," the singer and musical theater star proclaims, "and I've always wanted to work with him. I'm honored to receive this song for this album. The fact that it's in Swedish makes it even more special."

  Judith Seuma contributed to this article.

• Peter Jöback's official website
• Dahlgren-Attling.net

The album comes out today, November 18th, and will feature, in addition to Gessle's song, classic Christmas anthems like "Ave Maria," "Decembernatt" ("Halleluja") and "O Helga Natt."

  Another highlight is a duet with the well-known Swedish singer and song-writter Eva Dahlgren, who happens to also be a personal friend of Marie Fredriksson. Dahlgren-Attling.net informs TDR that the duet, "Jag Tror På Dej," is a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Believe In You." It was translated into Swedish by Thomas Andersson Wij.


  Jöback will perform these songs live on his winter tour that starts in Västerås on December 8th and finishes in Göteborg on December 22nd. In addition, Jöback has recorded a special program that will be broadcast on Saint Lucia Day, December 13th, on Swedish TV4.