Love Actually [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists (Composer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 14, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: J-Records
• ASIN: B0000DZ3IG
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,303 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Noted English screenwriter Richard Curtis makes his directorial bow with this romantic comedy that follows the dizzying foibles of no less than a dozen couples, featuring a cast that includes Hugh Grant as a bachelor British PM and Billy Bob Thornton as a disturbing hybrid of the worst of Clinton and Bush. Seemingly taking its lead from Bridget Jones's Diary and its sequel (both of which Curtis also wrote), Love's rich, eclectic collection of pop songs becomes something more than mere movie-soundtrack wallpaper. Indeed, tracks as disparate as Joni Mitchell's hauntingly autumnal remake of "Both Sides Now" and the Pointer Sisters' effusive '80s hit "Jump" function somewhere between supporting player and narrative Greek chorus. It's a mature, often introspective collection that mixes the expected chestnuts (the Beach Boys' evergreen "God Only Knows") and covers (Eva Cassidy's stately version of Christine McVie's "Songbird," an R&B-infused take of "All You Need Is Love" by Lynden David Hall) with standout work from Norah Jones (a torched-up "Turn Me On"), Texas (the Dusty Springfield-esque dramatics of "I'll See It Through"), and Wyclef Jean's joyous "Take Me As I Am." Underscoring the film's Christmas subtext are three holiday-themed bonus cuts by Otis Redding, Billy Mack (the film's resident rock star burnout, played by Bill Nighy), and Olivia Olson. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

255 of 262 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled- the tracks ARE here!, January 3, 2004

By A Customer

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!

171 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Actually, This CD Very Much, December 16, 2003

By	"sunnieday" (Rochester, Ny) - See all my reviews

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.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complete List of Songs for "Love Actually", September 9, 2004

By	Wesley Goo "Wesley108" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

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!