Few songs have captured the bittersweet ache of lost love quite like Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love.” Originally released in 1987, the song became an international sensation when it was featured in the hit romantic film Pretty Woman (1990).
Decades later, it remains one of the most beloved ballads in pop music history—a song that continues to stir hearts with its haunting melody and powerful emotion.
At its heart, “It Must Have Been Love” tells a story of love found and lost. The opening line, “It must have been love, but it’s over now,” instantly draws listeners into the quiet pain of realizing that something once beautiful has come to an end.
The lyrics, written by Per Gessle, capture both sorrow and acceptance—an acknowledgment that even when love fades, its memory lingers with tenderness and longing.
The song’s placement in Pretty Woman turned it into an anthem for an entire generation. As Julia Roberts’ character, Vivian Ward, experiences the highs and lows of love, Roxette’s song plays as an emotional backdrop—perfectly underscoring the heartbreak, hope, and transformation central to the film.
The combination of the movie’s charm and the song’s emotional depth created a timeless cinematic moment that audiences still remember.
Musically, “It Must Have Been Love” is a masterpiece of emotional buildup. The song begins softly, with a gentle piano introduction that sets a reflective tone before building into a sweeping orchestral crescendo.
This dynamic arrangement mirrors the emotional arc of love itself—tender at first, then soaring with passion, before fading into quiet reflection.
Marie Fredriksson’s vocals are the soul of the song. Her voice carries both vulnerability and strength, effortlessly moving from soft whispers to powerful, soaring notes that convey heartbreak and acceptance in equal measure.
Fredriksson sings with such honesty that every line feels lived-in, every note charged with emotion.
Gessle’s understated backing vocals add a layer of harmony that complements Fredriksson’s lead, creating a sense of balance—like two voices caught in the same memory. Together, they bring to life the duality of love: its beauty and its inevitable fragility.
Lyrically, the song’s simplicity is its strength. The repeated line “It must have been love, but it’s over now” becomes a mantra of acceptance, a reminder that love’s end does not erase its meaning.
Instead, it affirms that love, even when gone, leaves an imprint that time cannot wash away.
Despite its melancholy, the song also carries an undercurrent of peace. It suggests that while heartbreak is painful, there’s also a quiet dignity in remembering what was once real and true.
This emotional complexity is what elevates “It Must Have Been Love” beyond a standard breakup ballad—it speaks to universal human experience.
The song’s success was immediate and global. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and topped charts across Europe and beyond. Its popularity helped cement Roxette’s reputation as one of the most successful pop duos of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The track even earned critical acclaim, with nominations for major awards and countless covers by other artists over the years.
Beyond the charts, “It Must Have Been Love” became a part of pop culture itself. For many, it’s impossible to think of Pretty Woman without hearing those opening chords.
The song became not just a soundtrack to a film, but a soundtrack to life’s most emotional moments—first loves, heartbreaks, and quiet reflections alike.
More than three decades later, the song remains a testament to Roxette’s artistry. Marie Fredriksson’s passing in 2019 gave the song new poignancy, as fans revisited her stunning vocal legacy.
Each listen now feels like a tribute—to love, to memory, and to the enduring power of music to capture both joy and sorrow.
In the end, “It Must Have Been Love” is more than a ballad; it’s a timeless reminder that love, even when lost, leaves something beautiful behind.
Through its graceful blend of melody, emotion, and storytelling, Roxette created a song that will forever echo in the hearts of listeners around the world.
