🎅 About the Song
“Christmas Is All Around” is Love Actually’s most outrageous subplot — a washed-up rock star (Billy Mack) re-records his old hit as a cynical Christmas cash-grab… and somehow stumbles into redemption and chart glory.
It’s intentionally clumsy, knowingly tacky, and absolutely glorious.
What began as a parody became a genuine holiday anthem — mostly because it’s impossible not to grin through it.
On ukulele, it becomes even funnier: that mix of sincerity and silliness shines through every strum.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
We’ll play it in G major, the same feel as Love Is All Around.
You’ll need G, Em, C, D, and Am.
Verse progression: [G] – [Em] – [C] – [D]
Chorus: [C] – [G] – [Am] – [D]
Tempo: 100–105 bpm — relaxed rock-ballad sway.
Strumming: down–down–up–up–down–up with a bit of bounce, or go down–chuck–up–up–chuck for a tongue-in-cheek pop feel.
Lean slightly behind the beat to get that “washed-up rocker trying to be sexy” groove.
Vocals:
Channel Bill Nighy’s half-spoken drawl — somewhere between sarcasm and sincerity.
You’re not singing about Christmas — you’re selling it to yourself.
Throw in a “yeah baby” if you’re feeling brave.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Actor Bill Nighy actually performed the vocals — no dubbing.
- The track charted in the UK Top 30 in 2003, beating some genuine Christmas singles.
- The original melody is “Love Is All Around” by The Troggs (1967) — Wet Wet Wet made it a mega-hit in 1994.
- Richard Curtis wrote the parody lyrics himself, including the immortal line “Feel it in my fingers, feel it in my toes.”
- The film’s fictional record label was called “Pop Records” — perfection.
🌈 Final Word
“Christmas Is All Around” is part parody, part genius, part hangover.
On ukulele, it becomes pure pub sing-along magic — perfect for end-of-night crowd participation.
Play it loud, slightly off-key, and with utter conviction.
You’re not aiming for Bublé — you’re aiming for Bill Nighy in a sparkly suit.
