AS YOU might expect from a film that’s designed as an ode to romance, the soundtrack to Valentine’s Day is packed with songs on the subject.

And it’s a veritable who’s who of ultra-successful contemporary artists and classic crooners all celebrating the emotion of being in love.

We’re talking the likes of Ben E King, Nat King Cole and Willie Nelson (from the old brigade) to new chart-toppers such as Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift, who also stars in the movie.

Rather like a Christmas compilation album, the lovey-dovey sentiment threatens (sorry, does) become stifling. But it’s more fun than the movie and there are some undeniable feelgood ditties, as well as the odd classic.

The best songs are delivered, almost naturally, by the classic performers. Hence, Nelson’s On The Street Where You Live is achingly romantic, as is Ben E King’s Amor and Nat King Cole’s sparkling rendition of Te Quiero Dijiste.

Jools Holland and Jamiroquai’s take on I’m In The Mood For Love puts a modern sheen on another classic romancer, and nicely, so, while Amy Winehouse delivers a typically classy update of Cupid.

Joss Stone is ultra soulful and reflective of the old-timers with 4 And 20 (even if she lays it on a bit thick), while Maroon 5 make a bit of a mess of The Way You Look Tonight.

Modern pop songs such as Somebody To Love, featuring Leighton Meester and Robin Thicke, and Black Gold’s Shine, meanwhile, are largely forgettable soundtrack fillers designed to pad out the movie’s innumerable montage sequences, or provide backdrop for restaurant/bar scenes.

But there is the odd nice offering among the newbies, too, with Michael Franti and Spearhead delivering a genuinely fun romp of a track in Say Hey (I Love You) and Taylor Swift confirming with Today Was A Fairytale and Jump Then Fall what anyone who sees her ‘acting’ performance in the film will soon know – that she should stick to the day job! (And yes, the former song is as sickly as the film itself, but she has a great voice!)

Final mentions, meanwhile, go to the breezy reinterpretation of I’m Into Something Good, which is among the album’s highlights, and Anju Ramapriyam’s Bollywood version of Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours, which smacks of the same “let’s please every demographic” desperation as the movie. It’s a dog’s dinner to end the album on.

A mixed bag of emtions, then…

Read our movie review of Valentine’s Day or view movie photos

Download picks: Say Hey (I Love You), On The Street Where You Live, Everyday, Amor, Cupid, Te Quiero Dijiste, I’m Into Something Good

Track listing:

1. Today Was A Fairytale – Taylor Swift
2. Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
3. I’m In The Mood For Love – Jools Holland & Jamiroquai
4. On The Street Where You Live – Willie Nelson
5. Everyday – Sausalito Foxtrot
6. Stay Here Forever – Jewel
7. Amor – Ben E King
8. Cupid – Amy Winehouse
9. Way You Look Tonight, The – Maroon 5
10. 4 And 20 – Joss Stone
11. Valentino – Diane Birch
12. Te Quiero Dijiste – Nat King Cole
13. Jump Then Fall – Taylor Swift
14. Shine – Black Gold
15. Keep On Lovin’ You – Steel Magnolia
16. Somebody To Love – Leighton Meester feat. Robin Thicke
17. I’m Into Something Good – The Bird And The Bee
18. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours – Anju Ramapriyam

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