The song saw considerable success in the United States, where it reached the number-two position in October 1989 and became the band's only top-10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

Speaking of its simplicity and unusually upbeat nature compared to the other tracks on Disintegration, Robert Smith stated, "It's an open show of emotion.

It's taken me ten years to reach the point where I feel comfortable singing a very straightforward love song.

[citation needed] Similar to the title variations of the Cure song "In Between Days", there is not a universally agreed-upon spacing method of the title of "Lovesong", as it varies between "Lovesong" and "Love Song" on many official Cure releases.

When released as a single in 1989, the cover artwork displayed the title as "Lovesong", while the printing on the disc itself read "Love Song" all three times.

Smith originally wrote the song for his long-time girlfriend and then fiancée, Mary, as a wedding present.

"Love Song" was released as a single by the band 311 and is featured on the soundtrack of the 2004 film 50 First Dates.

It has also been covered by the bands A Perfect Circle (as a mashup with "Diary of a Madman"), Good Charlotte, the Deluxtone Rockets, Jack Off Jill, Snake River Conspiracy, Azam Ali/Niyaz, Death Cab for Cutie, Anberlin, Seafood (who released their cover of the song as a single in June 2007) and Fordirelifesake.

Canadian musical duo Dala recorded their cover of the song on the 2005 album Angels & Thieves.

Dutch indie band This Beautiful Mess recorded a version for a compilation of 80's cover hits.