I loved this soundtrack even before I saw the movie. It has so many fantastic songs to offer, including the classic "Build Me Up Buttercup" by "The Foundations," which I think most people know already. Actually, after you see the movie, you'll want the soundtrack all that much more. I found myself going home and playing it non-stop after I saw the film. But, no one has ever accused me of being normal. I just know that this is the CD I'll pull off the shelf if I'm feeling down because it's impossible to be sad with this playing around you.

The CD starts off with "Jonathan Richman's" "There's Something About Mary," which is a slow, rolling kind of tune that just introduces us to the idea of this irresistible girl that everyone just has to have for their own.

Then comes "Ben Lee's" "How to Survive a Broken Heart," which has an upbeat sound to it, although the theme is a bit depressing. The music sort of carries you away and you won't find yourself thinking about much once you get caught up in it. If you're like me, you'll be up on your feet dancing around the room in no time. 0 "Everything Shines," by "The Push Stars," is yet another of the "make me get up and dance" songs on this soundtrack. The line that really jumped out at me in the song was "broken angel take that plane and fingerpaint the sky...'til everything shines." I think it's the idea of fingerpainting the sky that grabs me. I like that image.

"This is the Day," by "Ivy," has some great vocals - female vocals, very smooth and a fabulous beat. Continuing on with the trend of upbeat tunes and danceability, this song fits in perfectly with the previous songs.

"Is She Really Going Out With Him" by "Joe Jackson," has that nostalgia thing working for it. Back when this song was a hit, I got kind of sick of hearing it. Now that it's an "oldie" I find myself enjoying it more and more. I think we've all had this thought about someone at some time in our lives. Haven't we?

"True Love is Not Nice" is another of the "Jonathan Richman" interludes. You cannot completely appreciate Richman's contributions if you haven't seen the film. Richman and his drummer appear in the movie at various points when Ben Stiller's character is at one low point or another, and his songs accentuate that moment and emphasize it.

"History Repeating" by the "Propellerheads" is another of my favorites on this CD. It features the vocals of "Miss Shirley Bassey," and I think that her voice is what made this song so mesmerizing to me. Strong, sensual, and just all-around fun to listen to.

There is a cyclical relationship between this soundtrack and the movie for me. When I listen to the CD, it makes me want to go and see the movie again. When I watch the movie, it makes me want to go home and listen to the CD. It's a good thing I have a full-time job or I'd never see much daylight. <chuckle, chuckle>

The best thing about this soundtrack, is that although they could easily have gone the 80's route that many others have gone ("Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion" and "The Wedding Singer," for example), but instead they put together this collection, and I think it's so much better. I'm big on 80's music (I can admit that now, after extensive psychotherapy), but there are only so many hits from that decade, and I think they've all been used and re-used on various soundtracks and compilations already. You have to know when enough is enough.

Despite my own somewhat warped view on things, I strongly recommend picking up this CD. If you haven't seen the movie, go and see it ASAP. You'll have a great time and a lot of good, hearty laughs. Then go home and put on the soundtrack again and you'll find yourself appreciating it all that much more.