What Could Have Been Love

Album: Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This wounded power ballad is a collaboration between Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, keyboard player Russ Irwin and Marti Frederiksen, who has worked with the band since the mid-1990s. The song finds Tyler wailing about a failed relationship: "Marti and I had both been through divorce: Do you ever have feelings about that? Do you ever think about that?" Tyler told Rolling Stone. "It started from there: 'What could have been love, it should have been the only thing that was ever meant to be, couldn't see what was right in front of me.' So many people are getting divorced now. When you've got kids, you still love the mother a little bit. Anyone worth their soul will admit it."
  • Both Russ Irwin and Marti Frederiksen also sing backup vocals on this tune. Irwin, while never an official member of the band, wrote songs with the band and has toured with them on keyboards since the '80s. In 2012, he released a solo album called Get Me Home, which featured contributions from Steven Tyler.
  • The song was Aerosmith's first entry on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart since 1998, when "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" reached #13.

Comments: 1

  • Aerosmithforever1984 from Saudi Arabiamay i know the name of the female actor in the video what could have been love?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."