Roxette - It Must Have Been Love | The Story Behind The Song | Top 2000 a gogo

The Swedish songwriter Per Gessle from Roxette tells how 'It Must Have Been Love' became such a big hit. An interview from 2019.

[@Top2000agogo]

Per Gessle also played an accoustic version of this song for us. Check it out here kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6ern2aAmrmZesk

[@waldo2635]

She was an insanely good singer. Rest in peace Marie.

[@fredwerza3478]

Her name was Marie --- the band name was Roxette --- try to be more respectful

[@Nostaljack]

@@fredwerza3478 Don't be "that guy."

[@LouieLouie3]

You can't deny the 80s were something special.

[@sspbrazil]

As well as something of shit.

[@jake6887]

@@sspbrazil the music of today must be built on that shit

[@sspbrazil]

@@jake6887 the shit music of today maybe, but not the good music of today.

[@rameshsilva6110]

@Miamidolfa you are spot on. Dont answers morons who dont know music !

[@larschat]

It's quite easy actually, "the 80's were nothing special." See!

[@one-eye1721]

Marie had one of the greatest voices ever.

[@ralphjones9903]

100% agree 👍 ❤️

[@stigtuneback1966]

sharp strong outcome voice , no doubt , she is HUGELY missed , may marie rest in peace .

[@TETRARCHFREAK666]

Roxette is one of the best duets ever Per and Marie were a match made in heaven RIP Marie

[@Solitaire_Guy]

Per is too humble. He's a huge part of Roxette's success as the main songwriter. Marie's vocals are simply incomparable.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

No such thing as too humble, it's a trait in people that is sadly in decline

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

Amen!

[@franzfabel7165]

It’s law in Sweden to be humble.

[@deadinthewater218]

Love her voice

[@decanmusic2997]

he is NOT humble!

[@durenatu]

"This was before the autotune, is really bad" but still sounds better than most songs today with autotune.

[@carlasidhom5785]

PREACH!!!

[@subsubsciber3657]

So True! :)

[@lexeykuzmintsev2410]

Agree!

[@LogiForce86]

No autotune and tons of studio time always beats a quick and cheap autotune song, especially as you go to a live of a band who does tons of studio work. They simply perfect every note they play and sing and learn how to add more flavour here and there when playing live each time, so it sounds fresh even if the song is played a thousand times.

[@user-ue5vm7vu6l]

THE COMMENT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!! ❤❤❤😂

[@paoloernesto2591]

I'm in my 40s and it's awesome to see that songs that took off and amazed us when we were kids have become today's classics.

[@warlockmachine9313]

right before theb it was a instant classic

[@minkles1330]

Born 76, so glad I got to be an 80's kid with no internet.... I bought "Look Sharp" on cassette and to this day I don't think you'll find songs like "listen to your heart", even the film clip gives me goosebumps haha.

[@whythatspreposterous]

The internet is such a double edged sword... I would have killed to be able to do the things I take for granted today on the internet back in the 80s, but damn I'm grateful I couldn't.

[@drazen1972cro]

I am generation 72 and in complete agreement with you

[@nonni139]

I miss Marie and her voice, she had so much more to give. As a Swede I am really proud over Per and Maries archievements, so humble and talented.

[@subsubsciber3657]

Agreed. They really are great songs even today and they were deservedly huge all around the world. Roxette were part of the soundtrack of my childhood. Love them and always will!

[@fredwerza3478]

Sweden should know there are a LOT of fans here in America that loved Roxette and we dearly miss our sweet Marie, and may God rest her soul

[@aaronpennick5170]

They were big here in the UK. Her voice is brilliant and beautiful.

[@jsmithmultimediatech]

@@fredwerza3478I personally see Marie as a kind of hero to me really wont get into it as its a very long story but yeah.... is one of the countries Sweden I'd ever consider moving to is a tremendously great country!

[@azharomar65]

Roxette.. Marie was a Pretty Woman.. It Must Have Been Love.. 😇

[@TheMadG007]

In the beginning seeing Per Gessle performing this song alone gave me goose bumps .... Roxette was my favorite band in the 90ies ... RIP Marie Fredriksson 😪

[@Musical_Man_Guitar]

This guy is so humble and likable. These are admirable qualities, but nothing compared to his talent. He penned many of the tracks of some of my best years. Respect!

[@kadekagusambara2212]

He seems very shy telling this amazing stories, like no hint of being too proud.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@kadekagusambara2212 As a Swede, I'm not surprised he's humble. Although nobody teaches us unwritten "rules" growing up, it's somehow part of the Swedish culture to just "know" that you're nothing special. You could very well be something special (as is the case with Per Gässle) but it's deeply frowned upon to brag about it. Hence, why you wont find many Swedish people showing off or trying to impress anyone. That stuff's for Americans...

[@bengalwithcommonsense]

Couldn't agree more. So well summarized. Thanks.

[@okyouknowwhatever]

The guy isn't humble or shy at all.

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

It's always a pleasure to listen to the real songwriters explaining the creative process behind their compositions.

[@MattBargain]

Marie Frederiksson must have been the most underrated singer of all time. What a performance!

[@zapp99]

When you put a gifted songwriter and a gifted singer together, you get Roxette! Thank you for what you have given us! Forever in our hearts and the airwaves!

[@charliereed9925]

They were both game changers. Marie was a true Warrior, 17 years fight with a tumor and was still singing. ♡💪

[@orshefer1467]

Imagine a bad pop demo from the 1980s sounding better than top pop songs of the last decade

[@RandomLife-MY]

everything's on decline nowadays...humanity, music quality...

[@77Mahoney]

100% right!!!!

[@druvik2052]

@@RandomLife-MY respect, morality, humor, art...

[@Nostaljack]

I mean...it didn't. Per says he hates the demo in this video. It sounded terrible. He was right.

[@ESPirits87]

Per is a musical genius, i can't count how many hits he's had in Sweden.

[@fredwerza3478]

I'd put him right up there with Benny from ABBA

[@RobinHelsing]

Yeah regarding songwriting I totaly agree, song-wise he is a 3.5/10 :D

[@janpersson9818]

@@RobinHelsing That's not a reasonable score. Sure, Marie is 10/10 and nobody compares favourably to her but he is a good singer too. For example "Keep me waiting" is one of my favourite Roxette songs where he sings the lead.

[@b.willroth8384]

They say time travel is impossible but isn’t it special music like this that let’s you go back and dive deep into great moments of the past?

[@itsisk2043]

Nostalgia

[@Jamie77ize]

Well said!

[@fredwerza3478]

This song really brings back memories of summer 1990 --- I met a cute girl and we spent months together being in love --- but it all fell apart

[@tommygunn8355]

Really underrated pop group. He is a great songwriter and she was a great singer!

[@markw6586]

I was fully into metal when this came out, but secretly i loved it!!!

[@99solutionsit10]

It will be always a classic. Roxette will always has a special place in my, well in our hearts!

[@Memnoch4711]

Roxette

[@99solutionsit10]

@@Memnoch4711 Thanks, these phone keys📱are too small for a guy like me.

[@unrepentantoffender188]

"have"

[@marshroanoke]

I love that line "it's where the water flows, it's where the wind blows..." great songwriting

[@joeydeguia1191]

Super agree... Kudos

[@IfUfindthisURlost]

Those little touches really do elevate the already 'excellent' to the truly 'great'. A bit like wearing an outfit, then adding a small fashion accessory, which makes the rest of the outfit look perfect.

[@larrycro]

I have heard many people sing in my life, but no-one can match Marie's incredible voice. it is too bad that she is gone.

[@stevenelson5481]

I had the pleasure of seeing Roxette live, Valentine’s Day 1991…join the joyride world tour… I have seen many other acts since but Roxette still holds the #1 spot in best of show! Per Gessle and Marie were unforgettable! ❤

[@ca9968]

I got my first proper kiss to Roxette Listen To Your Heart back in 1990 in South Africa, sadly the girl involved was killed in a home invasion in 2002, still think about her when I hear any song by Roxette...RIP Leanne, you may be gone but you`ll never be forgotten...

[@fredwerza3478]

That is a sad memory

[@glennnewton5100]

Marie had such a stunning voice, so powerful. Rip.

[@dumpwoodhere]

What! She's dead? Seriously.

[@subsubsciber3657]

@@dumpwoodhere Yes, sorry to confirm but she passed away about 2 years ago, I beleive after an illness. She was a super star and is genuinely missed by many. Roxette are the soundtrack to my childhood - her voice and their music lives on! :)

[@fredwerza3478]

@@dumpwoodhere --- yes sadly .... she had a brain tumor and it regressed for awhile but came back

[@marjol3in]

@@dumpwoodhere she passed away in December 2019

[@fantomphalcon9153]

Roxette. The first, and greatest duo out of Sweden that I recall as a 19yr old Brit. Man I miss Marie - I miss you both Per, I couldn’t attend a concert of you on your own; the crowd would notice the blubbering 51yr in the corner and ask their parents why the old man cries..... there’s a song in there somewhere. Good luck bro, some of the best music and lyrics of the late 80’s and into the 90’s came from you guys together. Love from the UK bro ❣️

[@shay5025]

I love this song so much. It pulls my heart deeply.

[@theethythou]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6ern2aAmrmZesk

[@joemarq3715]

Roxette, really, are one of the very last “pop/rock” acts. They had the guitars mixed into pop. Even they dabbled in electronic programming etc later on, but would come back to the rock guitars.

[@TheducksOrg]

Oh my goodness.. getting to hear that demo is priceless!

[@jamazuljamaludin5767]

Marie's distinct high pitch emotional vocals made the song legendary. Per's talent for writing wonderful ballads was the highlights of the 90s. RIP Marie..

[@gwenwachsman3739]

You can tell he was absolutely enamoured with Marie. They created some memorable music together. RIP Marie

[@serbaserbi666]

Her voice still give me goosebump. Beautiful voice.

[@germanbg6223]

This song will remain the most beautiful elegy of all time. RIP Marie🙏

[@debraodonnell]

I still can't handle the fact Marie is gone had the pleasure of seeing Roxette twice love U per miss U so much Marie❤️❤️

[@MrSanjeevsan]

This made me smile and feel sad at the same time. He's soo humble and the way he tells the story just made me smile multiple times. Soo much memories from my childhood came rushing back. Oh how I miss the late 80s and early 90s.... I feel soo old. RIP Marie, your voice was among the best.

[@francism.4525]

The demo is better than anything on the radio airwaves today.

[@timbrock9386]

I couldn’t agree with you more 👍

[@1siddynickhead]

#facts

[@terrellsmith6715]

Agree

[@MithunOnTheNet]

Keep this series going please! We need a historical archive of these classics!

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

'lt must have been love' became the soundtrack for 'Pretty Woman'!

[@yukiefromoz2573]

Wow that's awesome. Being 44 I grew up on Roxette, loved all their songs, Per was such a great songwriter, I admired that greatly. They were a great combo. Shame Marie is not around anymore.

[@tod3msn]

Per must have been so great to work with and so kind. Great guy and story.

[@danielfourie7204]

This lady was beauty personified

[@leonkernan]

How a christmas song became a worldwide hit....

[@sivedan]

That is why i always felt that song has a very 80's feel to it, it was actually composed in the mid 1980's....never knew that before...

[@mikekaraoke]

Yea as was said was a hit in thier native Sweden, was also a hit in Denmark in 1987.

[@cheriemonami]

I love Roxette and I love Marie's voice and presence. She was amazing. Per writes great songs and Marie makes them even greater.

[@leel6839]

I JUST LOVE THE WAY PER AND MARIE NEVER COMPITED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, THEY GAVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH RESPECT AND SPACE ,THAT WAS THEIR SECRET OF SUCCESS🐬

[@Sassyglbeauty]

How insane this was once a Christmas song. I absolutely loved this song and Pretty Woman.

[@danmangalilivlog2351]

It's must have been love is one of the best and most popular music in Philippines, I love Roxette... ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Hyper_V]

It's so amazing that they wrote this as a xmas song, and it ended up being one of the best single from a block buster movie...

[@joshuaswanson1977]

Per was rocking it with Gyllene Tider before Roxette. I love listening to the Gyllene Tider song Sommartider every summer. The guy is awesome.

[@danacoleman4007]

it is a great song but that beautiful woman's unmatchable voice just makes it something beyond!

[@Orleans11]

All from a Christmas song. What a great success story. I was head-over-heels obsessed with Pretty Woman and this song when it came out. I must've watched it on VHS literally more times that I can count; enough to know every word of the movie and of course the song. Great memories.

[@andrestrydom3065]

What a great gentleman...Per. Even though he is so much more, he's all about the music. I salute you Per!

[@leecrowder4934]

I loved Roxette and still enjoy their music today!!!!!

[@dominikvdovski996]

Beautiful movie, but the song is way more beautiful! Thank You Roxette!

[@karinscott2416]

thanks for that amazing songs I was in secondary school that time,and when I hear Roxette songs immediately adore them and still do it even am 43 years old now ,thanks

[@McFly-guitars-n-stuff]

Her voice in it must have been love is awesome

[@mihaelurasek6262]

They did so much for music history. Yet he is so humble and down to earth. Thats a big person. I love their songs. So much emotions in every single one.

[@bleep77]

It Must Have Been Love is one of those songs that put a tingle in my spine every time I hear it. Such a beautiful heart-wrenching ballad, made great by Marie's soulful voice.

[@marketweis]

I played that song so many times when I was working on-air at CHR radio back in the day, and I never knew the story....so cool to hear the origins!

[@rjay1340]

Just the way per tells this lovely story makes my heart melt 🤩🤩

[@hockley91]

Still love this song. Well written, well sung, just a great composition overall. Can't believe it was originally a Christmas song? Amazing how a dud (which it wasn't) can become an international hit in the right hands and when the stars align.

[@mikewoodson6930]

The Planets aligned and a hit song was born. Never knew. Good stuff. Sometimes Hard Work looks a lot like Luck. ( RIP sweet Marie)

[@ashemgold]

"Sometimes Hard Work looks a lot like Luck." Mike Woodson quote. Nice.

[@katfran492]

I always loved this song and her voice. I can’t believe Pretty Woman came out 31 years ago! I’m in my 50’s, logically I know it’s been 31 years but I still can’t believe it.

[@stopbunsen]

Great song, but gee that power vocal is everything. Those dissonant notes she hits still give me chills. She was incredible.

[@danmccarthy4700]

Marie's voice in this song gives me goosebumps. I remember how it was all over radio in the summer of 1990, so much so that my 11 year old brain got burnt out from it. But now I hear it and I wish I could go back to when I got tired of hearing it so much.

[@lexeykuzmintsev2410]

"It must have been love" - one of the best songs ever! And that clip from movie! It's all together. Amasing! And of course, Marie!.. Oh, Marie!!! You are so beautiful!.. I'm crying in last two chorus and final... Marie, you are always in our hearts! R.I.P.

[@VIVALAFIFA87]

love the story and lets face it 80's and 90's where heaven for music

[@zerksepraga]

Fortunate to have listened to this song in the 80s, such a perfect flow of melody and rhythm all throughout.

[@mknewlan67]

ABBA, Roxette and so on Swedes know music. Heart and soul grabbing music

[@robertsuch3614]

One of the best love songs of all time👌🏼😎🎸🎸

[@godlyvegan6688]

WHAT A GIFT FROM GOD. SHE HAD A VOICE OUT OF THIS WORLD. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. MY FAVORITE SONG AND MOVIE.

[@KewpieGirl]

this song never boring, it's a great love song!

[@obsidiansands]

Marie had one of the most easily recognizable voices of the 80's that it's basically part of the iconic voices of that decade that made music "legendary" back then. The amount of emotion she puts into her vocals is just astounding! She also had this iconic rocker look that even would have worked well in this day and age - and while she was easy on the eyes, she didn't have to look like an oversexed nymphette to sell a song: it was all about her voice that will stay with you long after the song is done. There's actually at least 3-4 versions of "It Must Have Been Love" that I listened to - the original xmas version, the Pretty Woman Version, and the concert versions, and the best version (at least to me) was the rendition they did for an unplugged special Live at Cirkus in Stockholm Sweden that had a harmonica as part of the instruments playing as the song was done at a lower, and slower key. Some may not like that version; but the way Marie sang it made that version more haunting, and even more "heart-breaking" proved to me that she could impart an emotional component into the way she sang without making it sound "fake" - and with such a powerful voice. To me; she was Sweden's version of Celine Dion with how powerful her voice was - whether as part of Roxette, or as a solo artist. RIP Marie Fredriksson, she will always be missed.

[@Closminding]

She was better than Celine Dion

[@obsidiansands]

@@Closminding Nobody can be Celine Dion... but then again, *NOBODY* can ever be Marie Fredriksson - not even Celine Dion.

[@11matt11]

The singing in this song couldn't be more perfect, because it's sung like what a breakup is. The anger of the voice, yet the soft spots where you still love the person in some way. It really changed the movie, because you thought they were breaking up. It made the ending that much more special, and why it's still one of greatest Romantic drama comedies of all time. The perfect song. I will always love Roxette.

[@Stoughton48]

I’ve always loved this song ! Marie’s voice, the writing, it sets such a mood. Thank you guys for so much ear candy over the years! RIP Marie.

[@CrueHead18]

The drums in the beginning hooks you immediately.

[@VenturiLife]

It's a hell of a song. Marie's voice was just incredible.

[@elizabethnicoll]

combined you both made Roxette successful.

[@stoneblue1795]

Loved this song, still gives me 1980's chills. She was sooo gorgeous.

[@Dai_joy]

That song is a example of many others from this golden times that got a “No” at 1st but was too outstanding to be hidden in the shadows. And they stand tall ‘till nowadays cuz what’s good is forever. Wish I could say thank you in person to this man for leaving such a legacy for generations.

[@marjol3in]

Thank you for your honest and vulnerable post

[@Dai_joy]

@@marjol3in 😊

[@MedalionDS9]

This song is one of the best breakup love songs I ever heard... that chorus kicks in... I wanna cry sometimes

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Every life has songs and stories. Every song has a life and a story. Some more enchanting then other's..

[@unrepentantoffender188]

"than"

[@marjol3in]

@@unrepentantoffender188 is this really necessary? Not all of us are from the UK or USA

[@Oldag75]

Per Gessle is the best pop song composer of all time.

[@mystorycastcaster54]

This song still makes me emotional and am in my late 40s. Great great song!

[@Santoshlv426]

Roxette is, was and always will be my No 1 Pop Group and had a massive influence during my formative years !

[@patrickhicks9880]

i made friends with 3 swedish people in greece they were huge roxette fans they didn't speak much english this reminds me of them i love this song

[@deaneawilliams2272]

This song makes me cry like a baby and it always will. Its like she sung a part my life story.

[@shehzadatif1]

One of the best songs ever.. Never seem old.

[@garrieleepeck8753]

Brings back so many special times

[@enlacdmx4379]

They knew each other from the late 70s !!! 🤯✨ #Roxette

[@Mtch5469]

This song never made me cry until I saw this interview... Marie will live on forever

[@davidkost418]

Roxette was a great band - One of my favorites!

[@overthinkerblue4637]

Funny how things like that happens. One of my favorites from Roxette. Such a powerful song.

[@Hy-Brasil]

just had my mind blown ...... there was a period of my early childhood where i spent a LOT of time in my room by myself. my family only had a small black and white tv set which was dominated by my mom and older brother. i didn't like their form of entertainment - not that there were many choices... with three freaking channels, sometimes four if the wind blew the right direction... so yeah. i stayed in my room drawing or reading while listening to the radio. it happened to be the same time that this and a few other songs were very popular. they have always had a way of sending me back in time to those peaceful moments when no one bothered me and i could do what i liked. i just never knew who performed them, only that they were always playing on my little clock radio at some point in the evening. and each one of those songs was just played in this video 😂😫🥰 i clicked the video because i recognized the song title - it was a favorite - and thought it might be interesting to learn the history. as a kid back then, with no mtv or cable of any kind, we just listened to music, hoped the DJ would tell us the name of the band, and if not, we moved along to something else. now i feel like i need to buy some of their music since i finally learned the name!!

[@razorsharpsmile]

It must have been Love was only the BIGGEST song in 1986. It became the theme song for everyone who fell in love.

[@gameofthugs4839]

Loved them in the late 80s...Marie's Beauty and Talent are missed....RIP ANGEL!👼

[@subsubsciber3657]

Great memories hearing this! I'll always love that song, and Roxette music. RIP Marie.

[@egeoziegeozi3202]

what a childish and ageless man and humble music master

[@RolandDeschain1]

Songwriting like this is such a lost art these days.