“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.