"Up for Love" Soundtrack Lyrics

---

"Up for Love (Bande originale du film / Original Soundtrack)" – Album Guide to Tracks and Key Scenes

Overview

What happens when a glossy rom-com swaps bombast for a gentle, hand-played pulse? Up for Love leans into intimacy: acoustic guitars, brushed drums, and a melodic score that treats attraction like a conversation. It’s a Franco-Belgian remake of Corazón de León, but the musical soul is Parisian — light on its feet, slightly bittersweet, and quietly sincere.

Two stars — Jean Dujardin and Virginie Efira — circle each other through meet-cutes, awkward dinners, and second chances. The soundtrack blends original score by Éric Neveux with contemporary selections: an acoustic re-record of Gala’s 1996 hit “Freed from Desire,” several songs by Australian singer-songwriter Emilie Gassin, and choice cuts spanning soul and indie pop. The effect is cohesive: needle-drops carry the flirtation; Neveux’s cues glue the emotional beats together.

Genres & themes arrive in phases: acoustic pop — fresh starts and openness; folk-tinged indie — hesitations, self-doubt; classic disco & soul — chemistry and play; elegant chamber-score — vulnerability; and piano nocturne — a wink to old-school romance.

How It Was Made

The album pairs Neveux’s original score with licensed tracks under Gaumont/VVZ’s banner. Director Laurent Tirard favored songs that could sit close to dialogue — intimate, breathable arrangements that wouldn’t swamp performances. That led to recruiting Emilie Gassin for multiple cues and inviting Gala to cut a brand-new acoustic version of “Freed from Desire” specifically for the film’s release window and marketing. Two brief classical moments (including Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2) color the old-fashioned courtship vibe.

Neveux’s cues (e.g., the graceful “Valse pour Diane”) supply light thematic stitching: small-ensemble strings, woodwinds, and piano with subtle pop inflections. The soundtrack was delivered as a concise digital release (later mirrored on platforms worldwide); physical distribution in France followed typical Gaumont tie-in channels.

Tracks & Scenes

Below are the standout placements as documented on official listings and press notes; exact minute-marks can vary by edition/territory cut. The scene descriptions clarify function — whether the cue plays as source (in-world) or as score (non-diegetic).

“Freed from Desire (Acoustic Version)” (Gala)

Where it plays:

Featured in the film and used prominently in marketing. The acoustic take strips the ’96 dance classic to guitars, hand percussion, and voice, fitting café and city-stroll atmospheres. Non-diegetic in narrative passages; also heard as song-needle-drop over a transitional montage.

Why it matters:

Recasts a club anthem as a tender refrain about choosing love over status — a perfect mirror for the film’s theme of seeing beyond appearances.

“Break You as I Go” (Emilie Gassin)

Where it plays:

Used to bookend or propel early courtship beats — the breezy acoustic groove underlines texting/phone-call momentum and a daylight city rhythm. Non-diegetic.

Why it matters:

Establishes the film’s acoustic palette and the “almost-a-duet” energy between leads.

“Follow Blind” (Emilie Gassin)

Where it plays:

Placed during a tentative step-forward sequence — a stroll, an elevator ride, or a doorstep pause. Soft vocal stacks and fingerpicked guitar keep us inside Diane’s head. Non-diegetic.

Why it matters:

Underscores the film’s central question: can trust outrun insecurity?

“Valse pour Diane” (Éric Neveux) — score

Where it plays:

A lyrical waltz motif surfaces around reflective moments (scrapbook, mirror, or balcony beats), tilting the rom-com toward classic romance. Non-diegetic score cue.

Why it matters:

Provides continuity between disparate needle-drops — one elegant theme that belongs to Diane’s inner life.

“Last Dance” (Donna Summer)

Where it plays:

Heard as a celebratory, public-space needle-drop (party/club/restaurant ambience) — the film deliberately flirts with a dance-floor classic for levity. Mostly diegetic.

Why it matters:

A quick burst of disco glamour to puncture self-consciousness and let the characters breathe.

“Hope There’s Someone” (Antony and the Johnsons)

Where it plays:

Reserved for a lonelier beat — post-argument or introspection — where the vocal carries ache and resolve. Non-diegetic.

Why it matters:

Balances the film’s lightness with an honest quiet — love needs room for fear.

“England Skies” (Shake Shake Go)

Where it plays:

Sunlit montage energy — city exteriors, scooter glides, or a road-adjacent transition. The rhythmic claps and refrain work as travel-tempo. Non-diegetic.

Why it matters:

A hopeful, horizon-seeking hook that nudges the couple toward yes.

“I Hope” (Rebecca Ferguson)

Where it plays:

Used in end-credit or late-reel context; a soul-pop closer that lets the film exhale while viewers filter out of the theater. Non-diegetic.

Why it matters:

Turns the story’s final note into something warm and reflective — not a punchline, a promise.

Chopin: “Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2” — classical needle-drop

Where it plays:

Briefly quoted/used as genteel ambiance (dinner or living-room setting). Diegetic/source-like.

Why it matters:

A nod to salon romance, tying Parisian setting to an older courtship grammar.

Notes & Trivia

• Gala cut a brand-new acoustic version of “Freed from Desire” specifically tied to the film’s 2016 release.
• Emilie Gassin contributes multiple songs, giving the album its signature folk-pop color.
• Composer Éric Neveux anchors the cues with a small-ensemble approach; “Valse pour Diane” is the score’s lyrical keystone.
• The official digital album is concise — a mix of songs and a few Neveux cues under the Gaumont/VVZ imprint.
• Chopin’s E-flat Nocturne and other light classics briefly surface as genteel source touches.

Reception & Quotes

The soundtrack’s acoustic tilt earned friendly notices in French music press and soundtrack blogs, especially the surprise of hearing “Freed from Desire” recast as a tender, unplugged theme. Retail notes and label copy emphasized the film-specific nature of Gala’s new version and Gassin’s prominent role.

“A fresh acoustic take on a 90s classic — intimate, made for strolling scenes and soft Paris nights.” ELLE (France), on Gala’s unplugged rendition

“Digital release collects the key songs and Neveux’s elegant mini-score; small, but cohesive.” Film Music Reporter (album announcement)

“Emilie Gassin brings a folk freshness; Neveux’s pop-leaning original music ties it together.” FNAC retail notes

Availability: Streaming on major platforms (Apple Music/Spotify). Original digital release aligned with the French theatrical run.

Interesting Facts

• Re-imagined hit: Gala’s acoustic “Freed from Desire” was recorded in Paris studios specifically for the movie’s release cycle.
• Songwriter’s thread: Three Emilie Gassin cuts function like a chorus — same voice, different emotional angles.
• Short & sweet album: The official release favors highlights over completeness; it plays like a curated mixtape.
• Classical seasoning: A salon-style piano nocturne ties the modern courtship to timeless romance tropes.
• Marketing sync: The acoustic “Freed from Desire” doubled as a promo hook in trailers/clips and social posts.

Technical Info

• Title: Un homme à la hauteur / Up for Love — Bande originale du film (Original Soundtrack)
• Year: 2016 (film & album)
• Type: Film soundtrack (songs + original score)
• Composer: Éric Neveux (selected cues incl. “Valse pour Diane”)
• Featured artists: Gala (acoustic “Freed from Desire”); Emilie Gassin; Donna Summer; Antony and the Johnsons; Shake Shake Go; Rebecca Ferguson; George FitzGerald feat. Boxed In
• Label: Gaumont / VVZ Production (digital); distributed to Apple Music & Spotify
• Release context: Digital album released April 29, 2016; French theatrical release May 4, 2016
• Notable placements: Acoustic “Freed from Desire” (marketing & film); “Break You as I Go” (early courtship); “I Hope” (late/end); Chopin Nocturne (source touch)
• Languages/territories: Primarily France/Belgium release; international digital availability

Questions & Answers

Who composed the original score cues?

Éric Neveux — his pieces (e.g., “Valse pour Diane”) provide the film’s graceful connective tissue.

Is Gala’s “Freed from Desire” the original 1996 version?

No — it’s a newly recorded acoustic version made for the film’s 2016 release.

Where can I stream the album?

On major platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify; it appears as Bande originale du film with various artists.

Does the movie feature classical music?

Briefly, yes — including Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 as a salon-style touch.

Are all songs in the movie on the album?

The digital release focuses on highlights (songs + a few score cues); it’s not a comprehensive score album.

Key Contributors

Entity	Relation
Laurent Tirard	Director — shaped the light, dialogue-friendly song approach
Éric Neveux	Composer — original score cues (elegant small-ensemble palette)
Gala	Artist — recorded a new acoustic “Freed from Desire” for the film
Emilie Gassin	Singer-songwriter — multiple featured tracks, acoustic/folk tone
Gaumont / VVZ Production	Labels/production — released the official soundtrack
Jean Dujardin	Lead actor — Alexandre, the charming architect
Virginie Efira	Lead actor — Diane, the lawyer navigating love & perception
Up for Love (2016)	Primary work — feature film whose soundtrack is documented here

Sources: IMDb soundtrack page; Film Music Reporter (album announcement); Apple Music listing; Spotify album page; FNAC release notes; Wikipedia entries for film & “Freed from Desire”; ELLE (France) item on the acoustic version; official artist uploads on YouTube.

It is a French comedy saying that a little man on the growth can have a big heart, of the size of the statue of Cheops. It is about the fact that he may not feel too much trouble to meet with a girl, which is higher than he is on his 3 heads. Literally. About the fact that love really knows no bounds. Light veil of mystery and romanticism of Paris – that's the hallmark of all comedies from France. Including this one. Resaid did not only cover on Freed from Desire by Gala, but also this song was selected as the main theme of the trailer. In English there is no latter in the network, but even in French it is clear that the main characters will pass through all mandatory comedy stages – will be introduced, get to know each other better, will overcome suddenly encountered difficulties and will stay together eventually. All this will be accompanied by excellent music tracks. For example, as bright as by Donna Summer, or a strange and cold as England Skies. The girl-soloist of the last has good lyrics, but her voice is low and cold, and she has not very pleasant appearance. Her band should necessarily change the soloist to succeed, or they will play in a niche of alternative music – home to all sorts of renegades of society. Emilie Gassin did several good compositions, among which Break You as I Go with English lyrics, despite the fact she is a French girl. The collection gives the impression of lightness, evanescence of life, and in general is very suitable for a romantic comedy, which is not intended to remain in eternity. It is made for your entertainment on one or a maximum 2 times, so you can laugh heartily at jokes about the height in the company of your friends, stocked-up with the popcorn.

November, 19th 2025

Find "Up for Love" on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes

---

A-Z Lyrics Universe

---