If there’s one thing Roxette understood, it’s the transformative power of epic pop.
The anthemic chorus of It Must Have Been Love is made to be bellowed at the top of your lungs, because, we've all been there. Its agonised lyrics and weighty instrumentation act track a universal path through the heart, conjuring memories of love and loss, turmoil and triumph. All in all, it's an emotional exorcising experience, rarely matched in a pop song.
Interestingly, what started out as a Swedish Christmas song, penned by guitarist Per Gessle in 1986, took on a whole new life in 1990 when it featured in one of the greatest rom coms of all time, Pretty Woman – starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts – and exploded around the world, propelling the soundtrack to triple platinum status. It was the moment Roxette cemented their superstar status, releasing the MASSIVE single off a string of number-one hits, including The Look and Listen to Your Heart.
Whether it was the song's classic Motown formula blending triumph and anguish, the late Marie Fredriksson’s stunning vocal delivery, or its truly timeless sentiments – more than likely a perfectly balanced mix of all of the above – It Must Have Been Love spent more than two weeks in number one spot on the Billboard 100 and remains one of the greatest 80s pop ballads of all time.
Watch Roxette give a grand, heartrending, stadium performance below!
Roxette | ‘It Must Have Been Love’ [Live]
This year, Roxette celebrate the 30th Anniversary of their third album Joyride, following their spectacular global breakthrough with Look Sharp! in 1989. Three US number-one singles - The Look, Listen To Your Heart and It Must Have Been Love - and other big hits like Dressed For Success and Dangerous had rapidly made the Roxette duo Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle a worldwide hit phenomenon.
And while we’re here, it would be a crime not to enjoy the original, emotionally rich, official music video below.
Roxette | 'It Must Have Been Love'
Joyride was the album that was supposed to cement Roxette’s newfound status as a global hit-makers. Which indeed it did. On May 1, the title track zoomed all the way up to number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart – setting a record no Scandinavian group or artist has yet been able to break, helping to make Joyride an 11+ million seller!
The Joyride box set also offers a chance to hear two previously unreleased demos of songs originally released by Per’s former group Gyllene Tider, and other unearthed demos from 1990. The Joyride (30th Anniversary Box Set) is out now. Get it, here.
GET ROXETTE ALBUMS, HERE.
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