It Must Have Been Love – Roxette

Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” is one of the most iconic ballads of the late 20th century. Released in 1987, this Swedish pop duo’s song has transcended decades, becoming synonymous with heartbreak and unrequited love. The song gained worldwide fame when it was featured in the soundtrack of the hit 1990 romantic film Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Its emotional depth, unforgettable melody, and touching lyrics have made it a timeless anthem of lost love.

The Artists: Roxette’s Global Success
Roxette, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, was one of the most successful pop acts to emerge from Sweden, rivaling even ABBA in terms of international success during the 1980s and 1990s. Known for their ability to blend catchy pop melodies with heartfelt lyrics, Roxette’s catalog includes hits like “Listen to Your Heart,” “The Look,” and “Joyride,” but “It Must Have Been Love” remains one of their signature songs.

The song’s popularity is largely due to the duo’s powerful delivery. Marie Fredriksson’s emotive and soaring vocals perfectly capture the pain and longing expressed in the lyrics, while Per Gessle’s songwriting and backing harmonies provide the perfect support for the track’s emotional intensity. Together, they created a song that resonates deeply with listeners, both in the context of the Pretty Woman film and as a standalone ballad.

The Story Behind the Song
“It Must Have Been Love” was originally written by Per Gessle and recorded by Roxette in 1987 as a Christmas song titled “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken-Hearted).” The original version was released in Sweden and achieved moderate success, but the song’s true breakthrough came when it was re-recorded and re-released for the Pretty Woman soundtrack in 1990. For this version, the Christmas references were removed, transforming the song into a more universal expression of heartbreak and lost love.

In an interview, Gessle explained that the song wasn’t initially intended for a movie, but when the producers of Pretty Woman approached Roxette, they saw the opportunity to revamp the song and give it new life. The film’s success catapulted “It Must Have Been Love” to the top of the charts, and it became one of the defining songs of Roxette’s career.

Lyrics: The Heartbreak of Lost Love
The lyrics of “It Must Have Been Love” tell the story of a love that has ended, but still lingers in the heart and mind of the narrator. The song reflects on the bittersweet nature of a relationship that once brought joy but is now a memory. The title itself suggests the narrator’s realization that while the love was once real, it has since faded, leaving behind only the pain of its absence.

The opening lines immediately set the tone for the song’s theme of regret and longing:

“It must have been love, but it’s over now
It must have been good, but I lost it somehow.”

These lines encapsulate the essence of the song – the recognition that love was once present, but is now gone. The use of “must have been” suggests a sense of disbelief, as if the narrator is struggling to come to terms with the fact that the relationship is truly over.

As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to explore the narrator’s feelings of loss:

“Make-believing we’re together
That I’m sheltered by your heart.”

These lines highlight the narrator’s desire to hold onto the memory of the relationship, even though they know it’s no longer real. The imagery of being “sheltered” by the other person’s heart suggests a sense of comfort and safety that has now been lost.

The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase “It must have been love, but it’s over now,” drives home the finality of the breakup, while still leaving room for the lingering feelings of love and loss.

Musical Composition: A Haunting and Melodic Ballad
Musically, “It Must Have Been Love” is a power ballad that combines soft verses with a soaring, emotional chorus. The arrangement begins softly, with gentle piano chords that set a melancholic mood, gradually building in intensity as the song progresses. The use of strings in the background adds a layer of drama, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Marie Fredriksson’s vocal performance is the highlight of the song. Her voice is both powerful and vulnerable, perfectly capturing the pain of heartbreak. She delivers each line with raw emotion, making it easy for listeners to connect with the song’s themes of love and loss.

As the song reaches its climax, the intensity of Fredriksson’s vocals increases, reflecting the crescendo of emotions that often accompany the end of a relationship. The final chorus is particularly impactful, as the combination of her voice, the swelling strings, and the heartfelt lyrics come together to create a powerful expression of sorrow and acceptance.

The Official Music Video: Visuals of Heartache
The official music video for “It Must Have Been Love” complements the song’s themes with visuals that reflect the emotional depth of the lyrics. Directed by Doug Freel, the video features both Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, with Fredriksson taking center stage as the focal point of the video.

The video alternates between scenes of Fredriksson singing alone in a dark, empty room and images of cold, wintry landscapes. The stark, snowy setting serves as a metaphor for the emotional coldness that comes with the end of a relationship. The isolation of the characters in the video mirrors the loneliness felt after a breakup, adding to the overall sense of heartache.

The imagery of windows, reflections, and mirrors in the video further emphasizes the theme of introspection, as the characters seem to be looking back on their past relationship and trying to make sense of their emotions.

Cultural Impact and Legacy
“It Must Have Been Love” became one of the biggest hits of Roxette’s career, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and topping charts in several other countries. Its inclusion in the Pretty Woman soundtrack introduced the song to a global audience, and it has since become a classic ballad of heartbreak.

Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists and remains a staple of 80s and 90s nostalgia playlists. Its universal themes of love, loss, and regret have allowed it to remain relevant to new generations of listeners, solidifying its place as one of the most memorable ballads in pop history.

Conclusion: A Timeless Ballad of Heartache
Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” is more than just a song about lost love – it’s a powerful exploration of the emotions that accompany the end of a relationship. From its heartfelt lyrics to its haunting melody, the song captures the pain and confusion that come with realizing that love has slipped away. Decades after its release, the song continues to resonate with listeners around the world, cementing its status as one of the greatest ballads of all time.

Must have been love
But it’s over now
Lay a whisper on my pillow
Leave the winter on the ground
I wake up lonely, this air of silence
In the bedroom and all around
Touch me now, I close my eyes
And dream away
It must have been love, but it’s over now
It must have been good, but I lost it somehow
It must have been love, but it’s over now
From the moment we touched, ’til the time had run out
Make-believing we’re together
That I’m sheltered by your heart
But in and outside I turn to water
Like a teardrop in your palm
And it’s a hard winter’s day
I dream away
It must have been love, but it’s over now
It was all that I wanted, now I’m living without
It must have been love, but it’s over now
It’s where the water flows
It’s where the wind blows
It must have been love, but it’s over now
It must have been good, but I lost it somehow
It must have been love, but it’s over now
From the moment we touched, ’til the time had run out
Yeah, it must have been love, but it’s over now
It was all that I wanted, now I’m living without
It must have been love, but it’s over now
It’s where the water flows
It’s where the wind blows
but it’s over now
No, no, no
(It must have been love)
(But it’s over now) but it’s over now
No, no, no