About The Song
In “It Was Love,” George Strait offers a tender, thoughtful ballad that beautifully captures the unseen force behind life’s most important memories: love itself. Featured on his 2000 album Latest Greatest Straitest Hits, this song stands as a heartfelt reminder that the milestones and magic we treasure most often have love quietly woven through them all along.
Written by Kostas and Marty Stuart, “It Was Love” explores a simple but profound truth: that the greatest adventures, the sweetest memories, and even the strength to overcome life’s challenges are all made possible by love’s enduring presence. The beauty of the song lies in its humility and emotional depth—it’s a reflection on life’s journey, seen through the soft, glowing lens of gratitude.
The song opens with a warm sense of retrospection:
“Remember when we thought there was no end / A time so young and free…”
From these first words, George invites the listener into a gentle conversation about the past, tracing the moments that seemed like fate or fortune, only to realize that love was the true driving force all along.
George Strait’s voice—steady, warm, and effortlessly natural—delivers the lyrics with an understated sincerity that has long been his hallmark. There’s no grandiosity in his performance; instead, he lets the words settle in naturally, allowing the quiet truth of the message to shine through.
Musically, the arrangement is simple and elegant, featuring soft acoustic guitar, gentle piano notes, and the faint, mournful cry of steel guitar. The production is clean and supportive, creating a dreamy, reflective atmosphere that invites listeners to drift back through their own memories as they listen.
What makes “It Was Love” especially moving is its emotional honesty. It doesn’t try to dramatize or exaggerate; instead, it celebrates the small, everyday miracles that love brings—the kind that, in hindsight, reveal themselves as the most meaningful parts of our lives.
For fans of George Strait, this song is another reminder of why he remains such a beloved figure in country music: his ability to speak to the universal experiences of the heart with simplicity, elegance, and deep emotional truth.
In “It Was Love,” George Strait reminds us that behind every cherished moment, every triumph, and every quiet act of grace, love has always been the quiet force shaping our story—and recognizing that is one of life’s greatest blessings.