Keane have shared their new song Love Actually – an unreleased track intended for the soundtrack to the hit film.
Originally written for 2003 Christmas romantic comedy, the band have finally recorded a version 20 years after its inception for their upcoming ‘Hopes And Fears’ reissue.
“In 2002 we were an unsigned band; and our friend and manager Adam was working for the producer of ‘Love Actually’,” says Tim Rice-Oxley. “While they were making the film, Adam suggested we should quickly write a song and he’d see if he could get it into Richard Curtis’ hands…and maybe we could sneak onto the soundtrack and get our big break!
“Needless to say it didn’t turn out that way, but Richard always very graciously said he loved the song and wished he’d put it in the film. We all loved the song too, but having called it Love Actually, it was very hard to do anything with it! In fact, for 20 years whenever I’ve played a new demo to my mum, her response has usually been ‘Hmm…when are you going to record Love Actually?’
“Well, the film ‘Love Actually’ is 20 years old now, which at last gives us a perfect reason to record our song properly.”
Curtis adds: “Everyone makes mistakes – even if they’re understandable ones. When I first listened to ‘Love Actually’ by this totally unknown combo called Keane, I thought it was beautiful. I tried really hard to put it in the film – but in the end it was a little melancholy and, dare I say, a bit DEEP for the film I’d made.
“Of course, I realised what a dreadful mistake that had been when six months later ‘Hopes & Fears’ was No. 1 in the charts. It is SO wonderful that the song is now being released for everyone to hear. I’ve listened to it a lot over the years and love it even more now than I did then. And this time, myself and my son Spike have made a little edit of the whole film to go with the song.
“I think I actually prefer that three-minute version of Love Actually to the long, chaotic film that’s been doing the rounds now for 20 years.”
Listen to Love Actually below.
Due May 10, 2024 – exactly 20 years after its initial release – the remastered re-release of ‘Hopes And Fears features the UK Top 10 hit singles Somewhere Only We Know, Everybody’s Changing and Bedshaped, with the original LP selling over 10 million copies worldwide.
Lead singer Tom Chaplin says; “I remember standing by that amazing old mixing desk at Heliocentric Studios where we made ‘Hopes And Fears’, listening to an early mix of Somewhere Only We Know. I had this feeling that we’d come up with something that had an extra bit of magic.
“Making music is so often a process full of doubt…but on this occasion there was something undeniable about what we’d created. Clearly a lot of people felt the same when the album came out!”
Rice-Oxley continues: “When I think about these songs, I still picture us playing them in little rooms in pubs around the UK. I remember how exciting it was watching the crowds start to grow.
“Those songs opened the door to another dimension for us; everything that has happened in our lives since then was born out of that moment. It’s an incredible privilege for us that people are still listening after all this time.”
Coinciding with the release, the band will embark on a World Tour, launching April 1 in Mexico City before reaching Europe and the UK. Their US tour in September includes dates at LA’s Greek Theatre, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
Support comes from The Sherlocks & The Lathums.
Tickets are on sale now
