Customer Reviews

Love Actually

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was reading several reviews of people concerned that some tracks (ex. "Love is all around" and "All I want for Christmas") were not on the soundtrack. They are. Amazon just lists 14 tracks out of 17 included in the CD and these are precisely the tracks missing from Amazon's list. So don't be fooled- they're all here.
The soundtrack is great and very very enjoyable- you can actually find yourself remembering the exact scenes and laughing out loud. Nevertheless, it does lack some of the feel of the movie sometimes,and it probably doesn't make much sense to buy it unless you see the movie first (which by the way is outstanding).
Summary: Highly recommended- but only after you see the movie!

Right then. If you're like me, you hate when soundtracks come out missing your favorite songs. Of course, it's next to impossible to include all the songs in a movie on a soundtrack but you hope for the best. "Love Actually" comes close. But for you ... uh ... Soundtrackaphiles like me, you can't sleep till you HAVE IT ALL! So here is a complete list of the tracks in Love Actually in the order they appear (hopefully). I'm missing a few untitled instrumental pieces used by Craig Armstrong (brilliant!).

First ... in the trailer (and this always bugs me when they don't use the trailer songs in the film) are the following:
1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
3. (untitled Craig Armstrong music)
4. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

The soundtrack itself:
1. Christmas is All Around - Billy Mack
2. All You Need is Love - Lynden David Hall
3. Take Me As I Am - Wyclef Jean
4. Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers
5. Puppy Love - S. Club Juniors
6. Sweetest Goodbye - Maroon 5
7. Glasgow Love Theme - Craig Armstrong
8. All I Want For Christmas - Tessa Niles
9. I'll See It Through - Texas
10. River - Joni Mitchell
11. Jump - The Pointer Sisters
12. Here With Me - Dido
13. Rose - James Horner "from Titanic Soundtrack"
14. The Trouble With Love - Kelly Clarkson
15. Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake
16. Turn Me On - Norah Jones
17. Songbird - Eva Cassidy
18. All Alone On Christmas - Darlene Love
19. Smooth - Santana/Rob Thomas
20. Wherever You Will Go - The Calling
21. Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
22. White Christmas - Otis Redding
23. ("Jump" reprise)
24. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Olivia Olson
25. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
26. The Trouble With Love (reprise for credits)
27. Too Lost In You - Sugababes (credits).

There you go. Hope that helps. A few more things. Craig Armstrong uses mainly three pieces of music: 1. Glasgow Love Theme, 2. PM Love Theme and 3. Portuguese Love Theme ... these are used interchangeably throughout the film. You can find them online if you look hard.

One more thing for you extremists: On the DVD Audio Commentary, Richard Curtis says he, in place of "God Only Knows" was going to use "The Loving" by XTC but didn't. So if you want, find that song too.

Happy listening!

My review refers to the UK version of the album. I researched before I purchased the US version, and I am glad that I did. I'm sure the US version is good, but it lacks some great songs that sum up the whole theme of the film.

One major song missing from the US version is Billy Mack's 'Christmas Is All Around'. How they missed this one, I'm sure I'll never figure out, but it is a major part of the entire movie. On top of it, it's a great song, really fun to sing and dance around to, to get you in the holiday spirit!

A couple of other songs worthy of mentioning before you purchase the US version and realize you made a mistake: Otis Reddings 'White Christmas' (I've never heard this song sung quite like Otis does it, he updates a very classic song), Gabrielle's 'Sometimes' (soulful song, has alot of meaning), and two of Craig Armstrong's instrumental's 'PM's Love Theme' and 'Portugese Love Theme' (these two songs will remind you all over again of the feelings you felt while watching the movie on the big screen- hopefulness, happiness, and of course, love).

Now that I mentioned all but one of the songs that were forgotten on the US version, I'll tell you about the the final one. It is an overplayed Mariah Carey Christmas song (I think she's the artist, I'm not a fan), sung by Olivia Olsen, 'All I Want For Chirstmas'. The only thing that saves this song for me is that it is sung by Olivia Olsen, who is a very young girl with an amazing singing talent. That is the only reason I appreciate the song being included on the CD.

I also want to mention that even though the UK version is more expensive, if you go directly to Amazon.co.uk and order it from them, it's cheaper (I paid $19.04 total including shipping), and it is delivered in one week instead of two to three weeks on Amazon.com.

To sum it all up, I love the soundtrack as much as I did the movie, it's upbeat, will get you singing and dancing, and hopefully into the holiday spirit!!!

** I am editing my review slightly because I did not realize, as most wouldn't until they actually purchased the US version or read a couple of the helpful reviews left by others, that Billy Mack and Olivia Olsen's songs were included on the soundtrack. I do, however, still think that the UK version is the most complete ensamble because it does include those extra few songs I mentioned above.

The soundtrack of "Love Actually" is extremely beautiful, uplifting and fun. The film itself is so rich and strange it's hard to pick out favorite moments. But the three onscreen musical performances certainly translate well from screen to CD, and serve the film as the glue that hold the various love stories together.

The first song performed in the film is crazy Bill Nighy's hilarious crusty version of "Love is All Around", the second is Lyndon David Hall's uplifting and soulful rendition of John Lennon's classic "All You Need is Love", and the third is 11 year old Olivia Olson who bursts from the screen at the end of the film--in a "Star Is Born" moment--singing like an angel. (She belts out Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas")

I like the longer remixes on the CD of all three, although the live filmed performances of Bill, Lyndon and Olivia all have a raw, funny, joyful and soulful beauty.

This CD is bursting with the same emotion we get from the film--an absolute love of life. One of my favorite cuts is Eva Cassidy's gut-wrenchingly beautiful version of Christine McVie's "Songbird". (Cassidy died of breast cancer at a young age and the joy and sorrow in her voice is hauntingly beautiful.) Another is Joni Mitchell's incredible smokey-voiced version of a song she wrote as a young girl, now filled with layers of profound meaning sung by her beautifully deep, smokey voice as an adult.

Check it out for Brian Wilson's best song, the exquisite sadness and joy in Eva Cassidy's beautiful voice, and especially to experience the discovery of little Olivia Olson who may well launch from this film into mega-stardom.

My rating on this CD: 5 STARS

I really liked this movie when I saw it and I especially loved the way music played such a big role in the story. I knew I needed to have the soundtrack. The tracks listed are beautiful but I have to confess, it's just better in the movie. The music lost some of its magic from the record store to my home. I find myself constantly skipping over some of the middle songs which, to me, are just not that important or even likeable. I couldn't even remember where they came in the movie.

However, there are some in there that hit the nail on the head and bring the scene back to you EXACTLY. You'll find the very great "Both Sides Now", "Jump" (insert images of Hugh Grant dancing here), "All You Need Is Love", the beautiful "Turn Me On", the hilarious "Christmas Is All Around", and the awesome, AWESOME cover of "All I Want For Christmas".

I have to say, it's a worthwhile cd after all and I recommend it to anyone who admires the nice mix of songs (take note though, Amazon only lists 14 tracks of the 17 actually included) and to anyone who liked this great movie.

Wow, a great soundtrack to an even greater movie! What could be better? I bought this CD minutes after I saw the movie and I love it! The music in the movie is so different. Some of it contempary, some old, but all wonderful!

1. "The Trouble With Love Is" (Kelly Clarkson): An amazing love ballad with great vocals.

2. "Here With Me" (Dido): Touching song that plays during a great scene in the movie.

3. "Sweetest Goodbye/Sunday Morning" (Maroon 5): This is a superb new band with a unique sound.

4. "Turn Me On" (Norah Jones): This song is GORGEOUS! Norah's voice is pure bliss. This song is so blunt and beautiful. "I'm just sitting here waiting for you to come home and turn me on."

5. "Take Me As I Am" (Wyclef Jean feat. Sharissa): Cute little love song, funky beat.

6. "Songbird" (Eva Cassidy): slow sweet love song.

7. "Wherever You Will Go" (The Calling): Amazing smash hit that moves you!

8. "Jump (for my love)" (The Pointer Sisters): This is the song in the movie that Hugh Grant dances to and it makes me laugh when I hear the song. :)

9. "Both Sides Now" (Joni Mitchell): Great pretty song. This song plays during an emotional scene in the movie.

10. "All You Need Is Love" (Lynden David Hall): CLASSIC SONG. Sung beautifully and makes you feel good.

11. "God Only Knows" (The Beach Boys): Another classic tune that brings back memories.

12. "I'll See It Through" (Texas): Okay song.

13. "Too Lost In You" (Sugarbabes): Neat sound, sounds like a cross between Sade and Pink.

14. "Glasgow Love Theme" (Craig Armstrong): Theme song of the movie. It's just a piano playing, but it sounds beautiful.

BONUS TRACKS!!!!!

15. "White Christmas" (Otis Redding): CLASSIC Christmas song with that great Otis Redding sound.

16. "Christmas Is All Around Me"(Billy Mack): This song plays several times during the movie and it's such a funny/cute song and you'll see why when you view the movie.

17. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (Olivia Olson): This young girl sings this Mariah Carey classic tune during the movie and it's such a cute scene. She has an angelic voice.

All in all, AMAZING soundtrack, do not miss out on these great songs! Make sure you get the cd that includes the bonus tracks. :)

I have been reading reviews of this CD being a disappointment becuase the US version is missing some tracks from the UK version, or a few have been altered. For example, Maroon 5 is no longer a full cut of Sweetest Goodbye, but now it's a joining of two songs, and this US version has the original Pointer Sisters version of Jump, unlike the UK version which has the new Girls Aloud edition. Both are great, but I feel I should just warn some unsuspecting others. Another difference which is effective on both additions is the Lynden David Hall version of 'All You Need Is Love'. This is a disappointingly dull song with an appaling beat, that doesn't compare to the version in the film and its trailer.
Despite the US version's flaws, Love Actually is an excellent CD soundtrack that hands a lot more respectful reputation to the brilliant film. Unlike the US version, the UK soundtrack has two more of the instrumentals. In addition the UK gets the beautiful PM's and Portuguese Love Themes. It also gets the same treatment as the US soundtrack, but in different track order. The UK soundtrack has got the instrumentals last on the CD, whereas the three Christmas songs not displayed on the Amazon.com page are placed in different areas of the CD, and so are more smoothly spaced out.
Those three are all excellent covers. Otis Redding does a surprisingly good rendition of 'White Christmas', Billy Mack's 'Love Is All Around' is hilarious, but lacks the backing vocals of the Motown singers featured at the start of the film, and Olivia Olson's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is fantastic. The second best song on the CD, just behind Kelly Clarkson's 'Trouble With Love', but definitely the best cover. She has just such an incredible voice for such a young age, and at times can just make you not care about the other tracks! IT'S BRILLIANT!!!
My song preferences rank like this:
1. Kelly Clarkson - Trouble With Love Is
2. Olivia Olson - All I Want For Christmas Is You
3. Beach Boys - God Only Knows
4. Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
5. The Calling - Wherever You Will Go
6. Girls Aloud - Jump (For My Love)
7. Maroon 5 - Sweetest Goodbye
8. Otis Redding - White Christmas
9. Dido - Here With Me
10. Norah Jones - Turn Me On
11. Sugababes - Too Lost In You
12. Lynden David Hall - All You Need Is Love
13. Gabrielle - Sometimes
14. Eva Cassidy - Songbird
15. Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
16. Texas - I'll See It Through
17. Wyclef Jean - Take Me As I Am

My instrumental preferences rank like this:
1. PM's
2. Glasgow's
3. Portuguese

Probably the best song on this disk and one of all-time is "God Only Knows," which is a haunting (maybe best) song by the Beach Boys, of all groups, lol. It is played at the very end of the movie when most viewers are tearing up :)

Joni Mitchell also does a great "Both Sides Now," one of the movie's best.

Kelly Clarkson is another highlight. Her "The Trouble With Love Is" is the soundtrack song that is getting the most radio play at both Pop and Adult Contemporary stations. It is played during the middle of the movie, then again after "God Only Knows" when the credits start (funny thing is that this song is on her solo album "Thankful" too, which is such a strong album, that this song was probably my 2nd least favorite) and works well with this movie.

This soundtrack is well worth the money. You don't even need to have liked-or for that matter seen-the movie to appreciate it.

I have new appreciation for Kelly Clarkson after hearing her version of "The Trouble With Love Is." She really does have a great voice. I had dismissed her as a gimmick because of American Idol.

I also renewed my appreciation for the Beach Boys "God Only Knows." To hear it on a track away from their other beach songs made me realize its haunting quality.

Joni Mitchell's cover of her classic hit "Both Sides Now" makes you ache. When I saw the movie, I was near tears when it played under a very emotional scene with Emma Thompson. When I heard it minus the visual cue, I teared up again-it's that heartbreaking.

Finally, two of the most fun tracks come at the end: "Billy Mack's" hilarious Christmas tune and a very catchy jingle by the young OLivia Olson "All I want for Christmas is You." The Olson tune is playing under the commercials for the movie right now: perfect commercial music as it stays in your head.

Good movie, great soundtrack

Very often, soundtracks serve as a platform for unknown artists to try out material to an audience by slipping a few moments of it into the underscoring of a movie. Over the years, this has become such a common practice that soundtracks have become less and less popular and generally get looked over by consumers.

The soundtrack to "Love Actually" does exactly the opposite.

This soundtrack, which features a wide range of talent, includes some of the top names in the music industry today. The songs, a few of which are re-makes of some of the top love ballads of all time, are a collection of pieces that, like the film itself, reflect the many facets of love.

Norah Jones, who has become recognized and praised by the music community world wide, graces this soundtrack with the beautiful ballad "Turn Me On", a beautiful, sultry song that is so much more than its name suggests.

Lynden David Hall provides a new rendition of "All You Need Is Love", which he also sang in the film. This new arrangement, which features a gospel choir, gives a new vitality to this song which will give the listener goosebumps.

Joni Mitchell brings vitality into the blues arrangement of "Both Sides Now", which is haunting in this rendition and her voice wraps itself around the lyrics of love and love lost in a way which touches the soul.

A particular favorite is Eva Cassidy's songbird, which is a beautiful ballad about finding love, and the powerful impact that true love can have. Its a beautiful piece and a definite head turner. Like many of the other ballads on this album, the song is deeply moving.

Don't be mistaken from this review about the substance of this album. Although the soundtrack contains a number of slower pieces, it has a couple of up-tempo songs that are familiar and fun. The Beach Boys "God Only Knows" takes listeners back to a time when these guys were a staple in the music industry, serving as a reminder why-the Beach Boys are as vital today as ever. Kelly Clarkson (of "American Idol" fame) belts out "The Trouble With Love Is", and demonstrates why she is the American Idol....her voice is dynamic, nailing highs and lows in the song with an inflection and skill that gives her the sound of a veteran singer, not the rookie she, in actuality, is.

Other talents included in this soundtrack include the Pointer Sisters with "Jump (For My Love)", Texas, Dido, and a selection from the instrumental scoring of the movie, which was mastefully written by Craig Armstrong.

So whether you are looking to set a romantic atmosphere, or simply looking for a solid collection of great music, this soundtrack is a worthwhile purchase which promises many hours of listening enjoyment. I promise you will actually love the "Love Actually" soundtrack.

Scott Kolecki