Nearly four decades after its 1987 release, Roxette’s“It Must Have Been Love”has officially crossed the 1 billion views milestone on YouTube. The Swedish power ballad, which became a cultural phenomenon when it was featured in the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, continues to capture the hearts of listeners across generations. The song’s chart performance was absolutely dominant—it spent 25 weeks on the Hot 100, reached No. 1 for two consecutive weeks, and became the soundtrack to countless emotional moments throughout the 90s and beyond.
The enduring appeal of this track lies in Marie Fredriksson’s transcendent vocal performance. Her ability to convey both vulnerability and strength with every note made the song feel personal to anyone who heard it. Even though Marie passed away in 2019 after a courageous 17-year battle with cancer, her voice remains immortal in this ballad. Every view, every stream, every time someone plays this song is a testament to her incredible talent and the quality of the music Roxette created together with founder Per Gessle.
The milestone arrives at a perfect moment. Roxette is currently celebrating their 40th anniversary with a European tour, introducing new vocalist Lena Philipsson to audiences alongside original founder Per Gessle. It’s a beautiful reminder that great music never dies—it simply finds new listeners and connects with people in new ways. What’s your favorite Roxette memory or Marie Fredriksson vocal moment?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.