It is 2002. You are sitting in a darkened theater, watching Sandra Bullock stuff a whole cake into her mouth while Hugh Grant looks on with that specific brand of posh, stuttering bewilderment. They have zero in common. He is a billionaire real estate mogul who can’t choose a tie without her; she’s a pro-bono lawyer trying to save a community center in Coney Island. It’s a classic setup. But what really anchors the whole vibe of the movie—and what people honestly forget to talk about—is the two weeks notice soundtrack. It isn't just background noise. It is the secret sauce that makes the transition from corporate drudgery to romantic tension feel earned.
Music in rom-coms usually follows a formula. You get the "getting dressed" montage song, the "crying in the rain" ballad, and the "running through the airport" upbeat track. Two Weeks Notice does it differently. It’s sophisticated. It’s jazzy. It feels like New York City in the fall, crisp and expensive but a little bit messy.
The Soul of the Two Weeks Notice Soundtrack
Most people think a soundtrack is just a list of songs on a Spotify playlist. It's not. For this film, the music had to bridge the gap between George Wade’s glass-tower lifestyle and Lucy Kelson’s grassroots activism. You have these sweeping, orchestral moments composed by Ed Shearmur, which give the film a "Big City" dignity. Shearmur is the guy who did Cruel Intentions and Charlie's Angels, so he knows how to handle tone. But it’s the licensed tracks that really stick in your brain.
Think about the scene where they’re at the benefit. The music isn't just there; it’s an extension of the wealth on screen. Then you have "Where Is the Love" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. That song is pure 1970s soul. It’s warm. It’s grounded. Putting that in a movie about a 2002 corporate buyout was a stroke of genius. It tells the audience that despite the shiny buildings, these characters have actual hearts.
You’ve probably noticed that some movies use music to tell you exactly how to feel. Two Weeks Notice is a bit more subtle. It uses "I'm Your Boogie Man" by KC and the Sunshine Band. Why? Because it’s ridiculous. It fits the chaotic energy of Lucy trying to maintain her sanity while George calls her at 2:00 AM because he doesn't know which stamps to use.
Why the Score Matters More Than You Think
While the pop songs get the glory, the original score by Ed Shearmur is the real MVP. If you listen closely to the cues, they aren't your typical bubbly rom-com synth tracks. They are orchestral. They feel like a throwback to the 1940s screwball comedies, like something Cary Grant would have walked along to.
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Shearmur’s work here is about movement. The strings are fast-paced when Lucy is stressed, which is basically the entire first hour of the film. When things slow down—when George and Lucy finally share a moment that isn't about a skyscraper or a divorce settlement—the music breathes. It’s a masterclass in not over-complicating things.
The two weeks notice soundtrack succeeds because it doesn't try to be "cool." It doesn't use the biggest hits of 2002 just to sell records. It uses music that fits the characters. Lucy Kelson wouldn't be listening to the hottest pop track on the radio; she’d be listening to something soulful, something with history. George Wade would be listening to whatever sounded "correct" for a man of his status. The soundtrack navigates that divide perfectly.
The Missing Commercial Release Mystery
Here is a weird fact: there was never a formal "Various Artists" soundtrack album released for this movie. That’s almost unheard of for a major Sandra Bullock rom-com. Usually, these things are marketed to the moon. Instead, we got the score album by Ed Shearmur, but if you wanted the songs by Aretha Franklin or Norah Jones, you had to go find them yourself.
This actually makes the two weeks notice soundtrack a bit of a cult favorite among music nerds. You have to be a bit of a detective to put the whole thing together. You’ve got:
- "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (The ultimate Lucy Kelson anthem).
- "Nearness of You" by Norah Jones (Which was everywhere in 2002, let's be real).
- "The Look of Love" by Dusty Springfield.
- "Let’s Get It On" by Marvin Gaye.
It’s a heavy-hitting list. It’s basically a "Greatest Hits of Soul and Jazz" compilation disguised as a movie soundtrack.
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The Norah Jones Connection
You can't talk about the music of 2002 without Norah Jones. Her album Come Away With Me was the soundtrack to everyone's life that year. Her inclusion in Two Weeks Notice was a total vibe shift. When "Nearness of You" plays, the movie stops being a comedy for a second. It becomes a genuine romance.
It’s interesting because Norah Jones represents a specific kind of New York—the Village, the jazz clubs, the intellectual side. That’s Lucy’s world. By bringing that music into George’s world, the filmmakers are visually and auditorily showing the merger of these two opposite lives. It's smart filmmaking that usually goes unnoticed because people are too busy laughing at the "tennis match" scene.
Breaking Down the Key Tracks
Let's look at "Respect." It plays during a montage where Lucy is basically running George’s entire life. It’s cliché, sure. But it works because Sandra Bullock plays "frustrated" better than anyone else in Hollywood. The song provides the rhythm for the editing. The cuts happen on the beat. It’s a textbook example of how a well-known song can carry a scene that might otherwise feel like a filler.
Then there’s "I’m Your Boogie Man." This is used for George. It’s playful and a little bit arrogant. It captures his playboy persona before he realizes he’s actually in love with his Chief Counsel. The contrast between Aretha’s "Respect" and KC’s "Boogie Man" is basically the entire movie in a nutshell: Duty vs. Fun.
How to Curate the Perfect Two Weeks Notice Vibe
If you’re trying to recreate the feel of the two weeks notice soundtrack for your own life, you have to lean into the "Sophisticated New Yorker" aesthetic. It’s about mixing high and low. You want classic soul that feels timeless, paired with a few quirky disco tracks that shouldn't work but do.
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The trick is the pacing. The movie moves fast. The dialogue is snappy. The music reflects that by never staying in one mood for too long. One minute you’re in a serious meeting with a string quartet playing in the background, and the next you’re in a taxi cab with the radio blasting 70s funk.
- Start with the classics. If it’s on a Motown "Best Of" album, it belongs here.
- Add some "Coffee House" jazz. This is the Norah Jones influence. It’s for the quiet moments.
- Don't forget the disco. You need that energy for the moments when you’re actually getting stuff done.
- Throw in a few orchestral cues. Even if you aren't a billionaire, Shearmur’s score makes walking down the street feel like a cinematic event.
Why This Music Still Ranks in 2026
Even now, decades later, people are still searching for this soundtrack. Why? Because the music isn't dated. If they had filled the movie with 2002-era boy bands or nu-metal, it would be unwatchable today. By sticking to soul, jazz, and a classic orchestral score, the film remains timeless.
The two weeks notice soundtrack acts as a bridge. It connects the classic romantic comedies of the 1940s with the modern (well, 2000s-modern) corporate world. It’s a testament to the fact that good taste never goes out of style. Whether you’re a fan of the "enemies-to-lovers" trope or you just really like Hugh Grant’s hair in this era, the music is what holds the experience together.
Honestly, the lack of a proper commercial release is probably why we’re still talking about it. It feels like a discovery. It’s not a corporate product pushed by a record label; it’s a collection of songs that feel hand-picked for these specific characters.
Actionable Steps for Soundtrack Lovers
If you want to fully experience the music of Two Weeks Notice, you have to do a little bit of legwork. Since there isn't one definitive "Everything from the Movie" album, you have to build it.
- Hunt for the Ed Shearmur Score: You can usually find the official score on streaming platforms or specialty soundtrack sites like Varèse Sarabande. It’s great for focus or working.
- Create a "Lucy & George" Playlist: Search for the licensed songs mentioned above. Add "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell (it’s not in the movie, but it fits the "saving the community center" vibe perfectly).
- Watch the Credits: The best way to find every single track is to sit through the end credits. There are often smaller, independent tracks used in the background of restaurant scenes that never make it to the "unofficial" playlists online.
- Focus on the Lyrics: Notice how the lyrics of "Where Is the Love" mirror the tension between the characters' values. It’s not just a nice melody; it’s subtext.
The two weeks notice soundtrack isn't just a collection of songs. It’s a vibe. It’s the sound of New York, the sound of falling in love when you’re too busy to fall in love, and the sound of a really great cake. Next time you watch the movie, turn the volume up during the transitions. You’ll realize that the music is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.