‘Love Actually’ is a 2003 romantic comedy with a Christmas theme that was written and directed by Richard Curtis. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Emma Thompson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Keira Knightly, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Martin Freeman, Olivia Olson, and Andrew Lincoln. Several love stories run simultaneously throughout the movie. It was a box-office hit, grossing more than $246 worldwide, despite being made on a budget of $40-45 million. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture- Musical or Comedy. One of the film’s features that makes it memorable is its soundtrack. The ‘Love Actually’ original score was composed, conducted, and orchestrated by Craig Armstrong. The rest of the soundtrack features songs by various artists from across several eras and covers different genres. Here are the songs from the ‘Love Actually’ soundtrack ranked.
17. Christmas Is All Around, Bill Nighy as Billy Mack
‘Christmas I All Around’ is a song sung to the music of Wet, Wet, Wet’s hit single ‘Love Is All Around,’ but the Christmas-themed lyrics were specifically written for the film. The song is performed in a deliberately cheesy style, and it is sung at various points throughout the film by the character Billy Mack, played by Bill Nighy, who is an aging pop star trying to make a comeback.
16. Sometimes, Gabrielle
‘Sometimes’ only features in the non-US release of the film, as it was removed from the soundtrack of the US edition. It is sung by Gabrielle, and she recorded the song specifically for the film and did not release it personally as a single.
15. White Christmas, Otis Redding
‘Irving Berlin wrote ‘White Christmas’ for the 1942 musical film ‘Holiday Inn.’ Over the years, the song has been recorded by multiple artists, including Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, and the cast of ‘Glee.’ Otis Redding performed the version that features on the ‘Love Actually’ soundtrack.
14. Both Sides, Now, Joni Mitchell
‘Both Sides, Now’ is one of Joni Mitchell’s best-known songs. However, it was originally recorded by Judy Collins in 1958. Mitchell recorded her version in 1969, then re-recorded it in 2000. It is the 2000 version of the song that features in the film, and it is played during an emotional scene featuring Emma Thompson.
13. I’ll See It Through, Texas
‘I’ll See It Through’ is the second single released from Texas’ seventh studio album ‘Careful What You Wish For.’ The song peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart. It was written by John McElhone, Sharleen Spiteri, and Guy Chambers.
12. Wherever You Will Go, The Calling
The Calling’s most successful single was ‘Wherever You Will Go.’ It was the first single released from their debut studio album ‘Camino Palmero.’ The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in New Zealand, Poland, and Italy and reached number three in the UK. Not only was the song used for the ‘Love Actually’ soundtrack, but it also featured in ‘Coyote Ugly.’
11. Take Me as I Am, Wyclef Jean and Sharissa
‘Take Me As I Am’ is a song that features on ‘Love Actually’ that was recorded by Wyclef Jean and Sharissa in 2003. Wyclef Jean is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame as part of the Fugees before embarking on a solo career. Sharissa is a singer who performed with groups Triple Dose and 4Kast before becoming a solo artist.
10. Turn Me On, Norah Jones
‘Turn MeOn’ was written by John D Loudermilk and was first recorded in 1961 by Mark Dinning. Norah Jones recorded a cover of the song in 2003, and it was the seventh track on her debut album. It peaked at number 10 on the Canadian charts.
9. Medley: Sweetest Goodbye/ Sunday Morning, Maroon 5
On the UK version of the soundtrack, only ‘Sweetest Goodbye’ appears. However, on the US version of the soundtrack, the song was replaced by a medley of ‘Sweetest Goodbye’ and ‘Sunday Morning’ Both the UK and US versions were recorded by band Maroon 5.
8. Here with Me, Dido
Dido’s debut single ‘Here with Me’ features on both the UK and US versions of the ‘Love Actually’ soundtrack. She released the song in 1999, and it features on her debut album ‘No Angel.’ It peaked at number four on the charts in the UK. In addition to appearing on the soundtrack for ‘Love Actually’, it was also the theme song for the sci-fi drama series ‘Roswell.’
7. All You Need Is Love, Lynden David Hall
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote ‘All You Need Is Love,’ which was recorded by the Beatles in 1967. However, the version of the song used in the film was recorded by Lynden David Hall. Sadly, Hall died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma three years after the film’s release.
6. Songbird, Eva Cassidy
Christine McVie wrote ‘Songbird,’ and Fleetwood Mac first recorded it. Various artists have covered it over the years, but one of the most famous versions was sung by Eva Cassidy. Her version was released posthumously in 1998 on her compilation album that was also called ‘Songbird.’ It reached number one on the UK charts, despite being two years after her death.
5. God Only Knows, The Beach Boys
‘God Only Knows’ was written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher and recorded by the Beach Boys in 1966 for their album’ Pet Sounds.’ It is considered one of the best songs written of all time. Not only is the song used in ‘Love Actually,’ but it was also used in the 1997 film’ Boogie Nights.’
4. All Want for Christmas Is You, Olivia Olson
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ is one of the most popular and played Christmas songs of all time. It was first recorded in 2994 by Mariah Carey, who co-wrote the song with Walter Afranasieff. The version heard in ‘Love Actually’ is performed by singer Olivia Olson, who was a child at the time of filming. She sings it at the end of the school Christmas performance.
3. Too Lost in You, Sugababes
Diane Warren wrote ‘Too Lost in You’ as an English interpretation of the French song ‘Quand j’ai peur de Tout,’ which translates as ‘When I’m Afraid of Everything.’ The Sugababes recorded the song in 2003, and it is featured on their albums ‘Three’and ‘LoveActually: The Soundtrack.’ It was commercially successful worldwide, and the song is considered one of the best of the 2000s. ‘Too Lost In You’ was a top ten hit in the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. The song is played during the dance scene at the office party in the film.
2. The Trouble with Love Is, Kelly Clarkson
‘The Trouble with Love Is’ was the fourth single released from Kelly Clarkson’s debut album ‘Thankful.’ Clarkson co-wrote the song with Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken. The single’s music video shows Clarkson singing on a rooftop and features scenes from ‘Love Actually,’ and it was used to promote the film in the United States.
1. Jump (For My Love), Girls Aloud/ The Pointer Sisters
The best song on the ‘Love Actually’ soundtrack, and the one most typically associated with the film, is ‘Jump (For My Love).’ However, there are different versions of the song used for the US and non-US releases. In the non-US release, the song is performed by the British girl group Girls Aloud, while the US release features the original version of the song by The Pointer Sisters. The song is played during one of the film’s most famous scenes, where the Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant, dances around Downing Street.
