Ranking All the Songs from the 10 Things I Hate About You Soundtrack
The 1999 romantic comedy film, 10 Things I Hate About You starred the likes of Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, and Larisa Olynik. It was displayed as a modernized, high-school version of William Shakespeare’s sixteenth-century comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. Levitt’s character, Cameron, is smitten with Oleynik’s character, Bianca.
However, due to his father’s strict rules about dating, Cameron recruits Ledger’s character, Patrick, to date Bianca’s sister, Stiles’ character, Kat. This movie was released on March 31, 1999, and grossed over $60 million USD and it served as breakthrough roles for Stiles, Ledger, and Gordon-Levitt.
In addition to the production of this movie, there is also a soundtrack that had fourteen, mostly cover performances of classic original songs. Although not on the soundtrack, Heath Ledger earned himself a Best Musical Performance nomination for covering the 1967 Frank Valli classic, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
Overall, the soundtrack received above-average reviews from the music critics and was cited by AllMusic as one of the best modern rock soundtracks for 1999. It did earn a gold certification from the Australia Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
14. F.N.T. (Fascinating New Thing) (performed by Semisonic)
(F.N.T. (Fascinating New Thing)) was originally a 1996 track featured on Semisonic’s debut album, Great Divide. For the album, as well as for this soundtrack, it served as the lead track. As an opener for the film, as well as the soundtrack, it served its purpose to lay forth the theme this is a teenage-themed story that can be told just as easily audibly as visually.
13. I Know (featuring The Isley Brothers) (performed by Save Ferris)
(I Know) features an interpretation of the 1959 single, (Shout), that was originally performed by The Isley Brothers. This song, as performed by Save Ferris, this ska-style performance served as a musical comedy, which fit the theme of the movie, as well as the concept behind the soundtrack.
12. Your Winter (performed by Sister Hazel)
Sister Hazel’s (Your Winter) came from the group’s third studio album, (Fortress), which was released in the year 2000, just after the soundtrack to Ten Things I Hate About You came out. Their song is featured on the soundtrack as an acoustic, mellow apology performance.
11. Even Angels Fall (performed by Jessica Riddle)
In the year 2000, Jessica Riddle released her debut album, (Key of a Minor), which includes the song, (Even Angels Fall), which is also on the 1999 soundtrack. This easy-listening song may not be a standout but is enjoyable enough to just sit and listen to.
10. New World (performed by Leroy Miller)
Heavy hitting and fun, (New World), performed by Leroy Miller, is a decent song to get caught up in and simply enjoy. Not only is this song on the soundtrack, but on his self-titled album he released in 2001.
9. Saturday Night (performed by Ta-Gana)
Ta-Gana, performed (Saturday Night) specifically for the movie and its soundtrack, Ten Things I Hate About You. This hip-hop meets R&B song also serves as an easy-listening contemporary tune that puts a bit of groove into a night at the lounge, or even on the dance floor as a softer number to get swept up into the melody.
8. War (performed by The Cardigans)
Alternative rock band, The Cardigans, brought forth an EP, My Favourite Game, in 1998 that featured the song, (War). Although not a stand-out song, it sets a mood that isn’t heavy, but intentional in meaning, which is what this song was designed to do. Psychological wars are dramatic with methodical strategy, which is exactly how this song plays out.
7. One More Thing (performed by Richard Gibbs)
This beautiful instrumental, (One More Thing), is the last song featured on the soundtrack and serves as the perfect closure, as it did in the film. Cheery, yet thoughtful, Richard Gibbs’ performance gave a soulful, dramatic performance that makes this piece an easy to listen-to favorite that doesn’t need words to get into an appropriate mood for the occasion.
6. Cruel to Be Kind (performed by Letters to Cleo)
Nick Lowe’s (Cruel to Be Kind) is a 1979 classic rock hit that Letters to Cleo covered for Ten Things I Hate About You. Although it’s virtually impossible to match Lowe’s iconic performance, the alternative rock band managed to do a decent enough job in their own right.
5. I Want You to Want Me (performed by Letters to Cleo)
Letters to Cleo performed (I Want You to Want Me) in film, and has the group’s cover of Cheap Trick’s 1977 original. This alternative rock band provided a decent performance of the song, at least worthy enough for fans of the song to hear an alternative to the pop culture favorite.
4. The Weakness in Me (performed by Joan Armatrading)
(The Weakness in Me) was a song produced by Joan Armatrading that came from her seventh album, (Walking Under Ladders). It was released as a single in 1981 but failed to chart, despite it becoming one of her better-known songs. This ballad served as that perfect heartbreak song that doesn’t just suit the emotional whirlwind teenagers go through, but the heartbroken of all ages.
3. Wings of a Dove (performed by Madness)
In 1983, (Wings of a Dove) was a single Madness released that peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number two and at number one on the Irish Singles Chart. When it was included in the 1999 movie soundtrack, the popularity of the song surged again for a brief period of time.
2. Atomic Dog (performed by George Clinton)
The humorous, funk-pop (Atomic Dog) became George Clinton’s signature song when it was released in 1982. It was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also appeared at number ninety-four on the UK Singles Chart.
When this song was heard in the Ten Things I Hate About You movie, as well as the soundtrack, it drummed up a new wave of fans that caught themselves grooving to one of the most unique singles that’s ever been released. In 1998, hip-hop group, Public Announcement released a single that copied some of the trademarked lyrics used in Atomic Dog sparked a lawsuit that saw a ruling in favor of Clinton.
1. Dazz (performed by Brick)
In 1976, Brick produced (Dazz) as a single from his album, (Good High). When this hit was released at the time, it became a number three hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also made a number twenty-six impression on Canada’s official singles chart.
This song was so well-liked that it influenced a rock group that named itself after it. The Dazz Band rocked the music charts with their danceable jazz numbers during the late 1970s and early 1980s. As for the movie and the soundtrack, not only did Dazz bring back memories of older music fans who are already familiar with the song, but brought about new ones that couldn’t help but get caught up in its rhythmic punch.
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