“It Must Have Been Love” is one of Roxette’s most famous and enduring songs. Released in December 1987, it gained worldwide popularity after being featured in the 1990 blockbuster film Pretty Woman. The Swedish pop duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, originally wrote and recorded the song as a Christmas-themed track, but it was later reworked into the version that became an international hit.
The song was first released in 1987 as “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)” in Sweden. It was moderately successful, but the band didn’t initially intend for it to have global appeal. However, in 1990, when director Garry Marshall was looking for a song to include in the soundtrack for Pretty Woman, Roxette was asked to rework the track into a non-seasonal love ballad. Per Gessle reworked the lyrics to remove the Christmas references, and the song was transformed into a powerful breakup ballad. This new version became one of the defining tracks of both Pretty Woman and Roxette’s career.
“It Must Have Been Love” is a poignant song about lost love and heartbreak. The lyrics reflect on a relationship that has ended, with the narrator looking back at what once was, realizing it’s over, and expressing sorrow and longing. Lines like “It must have been love, but it’s over now” capture the essence of regret and the emotional aftermath of a breakup. The song’s melancholic tone and universal theme of love and loss resonated with listeners worldwide.
Musically, “It Must Have Been Love” is a soft pop ballad, driven by a piano melody, lush orchestration, and Marie Fredriksson’s powerful and emotive vocals. The song builds from a gentle, reflective start into a soaring chorus, where Fredriksson’s voice takes center stage, delivering the emotion and vulnerability of the lyrics. The production blends elements of pop and soft rock, typical of Roxette’s sound, which often featured a mix of catchy hooks and emotional depth.
The song’s inclusion in the Pretty Woman soundtrack was a pivotal moment for Roxette, helping them gain massive exposure in the United States and around the world. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and became a No.1 hit in numerous other countries, including the Canada, Spain, and Australia.
“It Must Have Been Love” went on to become one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s, and its association with Pretty Woman cemented its place as a classic love ballad. The emotional impact of the song, combined with the success of the film, ensured that it became one of the defining tracks of the decade.
Roxette – It Must Have Been Love – Lyrics