"Best Man Holiday, The" Soundtrack Lyrics

"The Best Man Holiday: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" Soundtrack Description

Questions and Answers

Is there an official soundtrack album?

Yes. “The Best Man Holiday: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” was released in late October 2013 by RCA Records and is widely available on streaming.

What kind of music is on it?

Modern R&B and soul-forward Christmas cuts—new originals and curated covers—plus a few non-holiday slow-burners for the film’s dramatic beats.

Who composed the score?

Jazz legend Stanley Clarke composed the film’s score; the commercial album centers on songs by various artists.

Which artists appear?

Contributors include Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton, Ne-Yo, Jordin Sparks, Monica, Mario, Emeli Sandé, R. Kelly, and more.

Is the famous “Can You Stand the Rain” scene on the album?

The film’s on-screen performance uses New Edition’s classic; it became an iconic moment, but the track isn’t on the standard OST.

Who handled music supervision?

Music supervision credits on the film include George Madrid (music supervisor) with additional supervision credits for Jasper Randall.

Additional Info

• RCA partnered with the production to deliver a Christmas-leaning R&B set that could stand alone as a holiday playlist (as reported by Billboard and Apple Music listings).
• The album rolled out just ahead of the film’s November 2013 release, with digital pre-release streaming promotions (according to Apple Music and Spotify metadata).
• The men’s talent-show lip-sync to New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain” became an instant franchise touchstone—widely clipped online.
• Director Malcolm D. Lee leaned on classic Motown/Stevie Wonder holiday DNA while commissioning new songs to fit character arcs (per contemporary coverage).
• Stanley Clarke’s score underpins quieter hospital/home scenes; the album itself is a songs-first compilation.
• (according to Variety) critics singled out the film’s “ace soundtrack full of soulful yuletide tunes.”
• (as noted by The Hollywood Reporter) some reviewers felt the Christmas standards were used a lot—but agreed the cues were effective.

Overview

Why does this soundtrack feel like a family gathering that actually sticks the landing? Because it marries glossy, radio-ready R&B with the mess and warmth of a reunion story. The film is a sequel about forgiveness and time; the album answers with soul voices that carry history in the grain.

Across the set you’ll hear classic spirit—Stevie Wonder/Nat King Cole DNA—reframed by contemporary singers. Originals land where the plot needs fresh emotion; covers act like memory triggers. It’s both playlist and screenplay support. When the movie reaches for grace, the record is already there, steadying the scene. (as stated in Apple Music’s release page and Variety’s contemporaneous review)

Genres & Themes

• R&B holiday standards → communal rituals, old friendships, and the glow of tradition.
• Modern soul ballads → intimacy for hospital visits, porch talks, and reconciliations.
• Uptempo party cuts → the pajama-party and talent-show mayhem; joy as pressure valve.
• Score (jazz-tinted orchestral) → Stanley Clarke’s cues thread somber truth beneath the festivities.

Key Tracks & Scenes

“Can You Stand the Rain” — New Edition
Where it plays: The guys’ talent-show lip-sync/dance—comic détente that melts tension (diegetic performance).
Why it matters: Turns an R&B classic into a plot device for reconciliation. (Not on the standard OST.)

“Christmas Time to Me” — Jordin Sparks
Where it plays: A montage/holiday-prep beat and promotional tie-ins (non-diegetic).
Why it matters: Bright, contemporary carol energy that sells the film’s cozy winter frame.

“As” — Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton
Where it plays: Used around celebration beats; a Stevie Wonder devotion reimagined (non-diegetic).
Why it matters: Old-school vow, new-school timbre—mirrors couples recommitting.

“Shelter” — John Legend
Where it plays: Emotional pivot sequence—quiet care after hard news (non-diegetic).
Why it matters: Offers hush and mercy when the script asks for both.

“I Want to Come Home for Christmas” — Ne-Yo
Where it plays: Late-night reflection; distance vs. yearning (non-diegetic).
Why it matters: Longing folded into holiday imagery—very on brand for the characters’ separations.

*Timings vary by cut and region; table reflects widely reported placements.

Music–Story Links (characters & plot beats)

• When the guys hit “Can You Stand the Rain,” the scene writes an apology without words—shared choreography as a truce.
• New holiday originals (Jordin Sparks, Ne-Yo) play like postcards from the house party—soundtracking found family, not just romance.
• “Shelter” arrives where language shrinks; the vocal sits close, letting characters lean on each other instead of speeches.
• Stevie Wonder DNA (“As” via Ambrosius/Hamilton) ties the crew’s history to a bigger lineage of soul devotion—tradition as character glue.

How It Was Made (supervision, score, behind-the-scenes)

Writer-director Malcolm D. Lee built a holiday sequel that needed both nostalgia and newness. RCA’s team assembled a roster—Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton, Ne-Yo, Jordin Sparks, Monica, Mario, Emeli Sandé—balancing covers with fresh material (according to Apple Music and press rundowns). Stanley Clarke handled score, while music-department credits include George Madrid (music supervisor) with additional work credited to Jasper Randall. The soundtrack campaign kicked off weeks before theatrical release with advance streaming and a clean 13-track retail edition. (as covered by Billboard and Spotify listings)

Reception & Quotes

Reviewers clocked the album as a strength: an easy-spin R&B holiday set that also carries the film’s heavier beats. It charted on U.S. soundtrack tallies and hung around seasonal playlists afterward. (as noted by Wikipedia’s chart roundup and trade coverage)

“An ace soundtrack full of soulful yuletide tunes.” — Variety review

“There’s a lot of effective music… though the Christmas standards are overused.” — The Hollywood Reporter

Technical Info

• Title: The Best Man Holiday: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
• Year: 2013
• Type: Movie
• Score Composer: Stanley Clarke
• Music Supervision: George Madrid (with additional supervision credit to Jasper Randall)
• Label: RCA Records (Sony Music)
• Release Window: Late Oct. 2013 (digital/retail); physical CD followed shortly after
• Availability: Streaming (standard 13-track edition); retail CD in select markets
• Selected Notable Placements: “Christmas Time to Me” (Jordin Sparks); “As” (Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton); “Shelter” (John Legend); “I Want to Come Home for Christmas” (Ne-Yo); film-only: “Can You Stand the Rain” (New Edition, talent-show scene)

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Apple Music (album page); Spotify (album listing); IMDb (Soundtracks & full credits); Variety; The Hollywood Reporter; Discogs (release data); YouTube (official trailers & film clips); Wikipedia (film & soundtrack overview for chart notes).

October, 23rd 2025