Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 5:43:42 GMT 1
Yah… Yah… right… but which is the best Craig-era theme song? Except for the one I that thought was a man and a woman singing a duet, but turns out was just one dude, I think they're all very strong and distinctive. I'm going to rank it like this… 1. You Know My Name - A nearly perfect theme song for a bond reintroduction 2. Another Way To Die - Diabolical lyrics that dredge up the paranoia and treasury inherent in the franchise 3. Skyfall - Great craftsmanship - feels like a true vintage love song 4. No Time Die - Weird - don't know what she's saying - sounds like mouth music 5. The Writing on the Wall - A kind of Victor/Victoria thing going on - don't get it I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan so You Know My Name is definitely a favorite. But… Skyfall really feels like a classic instantly iconic Bond theme. I love them both. Another Way to Die just doesn’t do it for me. It’s got good lyrics but the sound is too… I don’t know, mainstream? Pop? There’s probably a better word for it. But I could take it or leave it. Writing on the Wall could work if Sam What’s His Name didn’t hit those super high notes. That’s a quality of modern singers I just don’t get at all. Those high notes are so grating. I suppose modern music just isn’t for me, because I don’t think these screechy dudes are talented. And the lyrics, like the next entry, are just not Bond-ish at all. No Time to Die is just way too emo. It’s like the theme to a movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic or something. Not great, but not necessarily horrible either.
|
|
|
Post by AQUA SALZ! on Nov 23, 2021 6:08:22 GMT 1
Yah… Yah… right… but which is the best Craig-era theme song? Except for the one I that thought was a man and a woman singing a duet, but turns out was just one dude, I think they're all very strong and distinctive. I'm going to rank it like this… 1. You Know My Name - A nearly perfect theme song for a bond reintroduction 2. Another Way To Die - Diabolical lyrics that dredge up the paranoia and treasury inherent in the franchise 3. Skyfall - Great craftsmanship - feels like a true vintage love song 4. No Time Die - Weird - don't know what she's saying - sounds like mouth music 5. The Writing on the Wall - A kind of Victor/Victoria thing going on - don't get it I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan so You Know My Name is definitely a favorite. But… Skyfall really feels like a classic instantly iconic Bond theme. I love them both. Another Way to Die just doesn’t do it for me. It’s got good lyrics but the sound is too… I don’t know, mainstream? Pop? There’s probably a better word for it. But I could take it or leave it. Writing on the Wall could work if Sam What’s His Name didn’t hit those super high notes. That’s a quality of modern singers I just don’t get at all. Those high notes are so grating. I suppose modern music just isn’t for me, because I don’t think these screechy dudes are talented. And the lyrics, like the next entry, are just not Bond-ish at all. No Time to Die is just way too emo. It’s like the theme to a movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic or something. Not great, but not necessarily horrible either. These are basically my thoughts too, though I’d definitely rank “Skyfall” above “You Know My Name.” I think “No Time to Die” is the worst Bond song I’ve ever heard, and maybe the worst song I’ve ever heard. “A movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid addict”—brilliant. But, as you know, I’m that ’30s-’40s pop and/or old Broadway show tune kind of guy, so I’m not the target audience for any of this.Hear hear! Also, Lord Death Man, Victor/Victoria? As in my favorite Blake Edwards movie?
|
|
|
Post by Lord Death Man on Nov 23, 2021 6:26:47 GMT 1
Yah… Yah… right… but which is the best Craig-era theme song? Except for the one I that thought was a man and a woman singing a duet, but turns out was just one dude, I think they're all very strong and distinctive. I'm going to rank it like this… 1. You Know My Name - A nearly perfect theme song for a bond reintroduction 2. Another Way To Die - Diabolical lyrics that dredge up the paranoia and treasury inherent in the franchise 3. Skyfall - Great craftsmanship - feels like a true vintage love song 4. No Time Die - Weird - don't know what she's saying - sounds like mouth music 5. The Writing on the Wall - A kind of Victor/Victoria thing going on - don't get it I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan so You Know My Name is definitely a favorite. But… Skyfall really feels like a classic instantly iconic Bond theme. I love them both. Another Way to Die just doesn’t do it for me. It’s got good lyrics but the sound is too… I don’t know, mainstream? Pop? There’s probably a better word for it. But I could take it or leave it. Writing on the Wall could work if Sam What’s His Name didn’t hit those super high notes. That’s a quality of modern singers I just don’t get at all. Those high notes are so grating. I suppose modern music just isn’t for me, because I don’t think these screechy dudes are talented. And the lyrics, like the next entry, are just not Bond-ish at all. No Time to Die is just way too emo. It’s like the theme to a movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic or something. Not great, but not necessarily horrible either. You hit the nail on the head with Billie Ellish and Sam Smith(?). No Time to Die feels overwrought and lacks any tension. Writing's On The Wall feels like an extreme vocal showcase that was designed for The Voice. It adds nothing to the movie or franchise as a whole. I admit that Another Way To Die is not perfect, and I hated it when I first heard it, but I'm a sucker for an odd pairing. White and Keys bring enough bravura to the proceeding to at least keep you engaged. The lyrics really cut, and the duet format added something new to the Bond theme music lexicon. I've grown to like this song over time, and I don't hit skip anymore when it inevitably plays when listening to the best of… Cornell really set a high Bar with You Know My Name. No one managed to top it. I consider the song to be a part of the film's success as much as the overall quality of the filmmaking.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Death Man on Nov 23, 2021 6:31:19 GMT 1
I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan so You Know My Name is definitely a favorite. But… Skyfall really feels like a classic instantly iconic Bond theme. I love them both. Another Way to Die just doesn’t do it for me. It’s got good lyrics but the sound is too… I don’t know, mainstream? Pop? There’s probably a better word for it. But I could take it or leave it. Writing on the Wall could work if Sam What’s His Name didn’t hit those super high notes. That’s a quality of modern singers I just don’t get at all. Those high notes are so grating. I suppose modern music just isn’t for me, because I don’t think these screechy dudes are talented. And the lyrics, like the next entry, are just not Bond-ish at all. No Time to Die is just way too emo. It’s like the theme to a movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic or something. Not great, but not necessarily horrible either. These are basically my thoughts too, though I’d definitely rank “Skyfall” above “You Know My Name.” I think “No Time to Die” is the worst Bond song I’ve ever heard, and maybe the worst song I’ve ever heard. “A movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic”—brilliant. But, as you know, I’m that ’30s-’40s pop and/or old Broadway show tune kind of guy, so I’m not the target audience for any of this.Hear hear! Also, Lord Death Man , Victor/Victoria? As in my favorite Blake Edwards movie? Yes, that Victor/Victoria! I half expected the guy to show up in a half man half woman costume in the video. You would thrill to his vocal styling as he turned to profile to sing either the male or female parts while parading up and down the stage.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 8:29:12 GMT 1
I’m a huge Chris Cornell fan so You Know My Name is definitely a favorite. But… Skyfall really feels like a classic instantly iconic Bond theme. I love them both. Another Way to Die just doesn’t do it for me. It’s got good lyrics but the sound is too… I don’t know, mainstream? Pop? There’s probably a better word for it. But I could take it or leave it. Writing on the Wall could work if Sam What’s His Name didn’t hit those super high notes. That’s a quality of modern singers I just don’t get at all. Those high notes are so grating. I suppose modern music just isn’t for me, because I don’t think these screechy dudes are talented. And the lyrics, like the next entry, are just not Bond-ish at all. No Time to Die is just way too emo. It’s like the theme to a movie where Bond gets really depressed and becomes an opioid attic or something. Not great, but not necessarily horrible either. You hit the nail on the head with Billie Ellish and Sam Smith(?). No Time to Die feels overwrought and lacks any tension. Writing's On The Wall feels like an extreme vocal showcase that was designed for The Voice. It adds nothing to the movie or franchise as a whole. I admit that Another Way To Die is not perfect, and I hated it when I first heard it, but I'm a sucker for an odd pairing. White and Keys bring enough bravura to the proceeding to at least keep you engaged. The lyrics really cut, and the duet format added something new to the Bond theme music lexicon. I've grown to like this song over time, and I don't hit skip anymore when it inevitably plays when listening to the best of… Cornell really set a high Bar with You Know My Name. No one managed to top it. I consider the song to be a part of the film's success as much as the overall quality of the filmmaking. I believe we have discussed the remarkable lyric writing skills of Mr Cornell before, but it’s worth mentioning again. He was just so good, and his Bond theme is no exception… ”If you take a life, do you know what you give? Odds are you won’t like what it is. When the storm arrives would you be seen with me, by the merciless eyes of deceit. I’ve seen angels fall from blinding heights. But you yourself are nothing so divine. Just next in line.” Brilliant!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 20:12:41 GMT 1
Do we dare rank the Connery themes? They’re all pretty close in my book. Even Russia is iconic without lyrics.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 20:28:34 GMT 1
Where is Stimpford? He should be getting in on this… ArArArchStanton get in here! And rank up some theme songs!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 20:29:59 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by AQUA SALZ! on Nov 23, 2021 20:40:37 GMT 1
Do we dare rank the Connery themes? They’re all pretty close in my book. Even Russia is iconic without lyrics. I like “Russia” quite a bit, actually, even with the lyrics. For some reason its use at the end really works for me, even though the lyric has nothing to do with the movie. But my ranking would probably be this: 1. “You Only Live Twice” (music is so cool, and that rarest of rarities, a bearable Leslie Bricusse lyric!) 2. “From Russia with Love” 3. “Goldfinger” (I know, I know, but I can’t get over how the lyric doesn’t fit the movie at all) 4. “Diamonds Are Forever” (Shirley Bassey and the music are fun enough to overcome Don Black’s typically nonsensical lyric) 5. “Thunderball” (I don’t like this one at all, I’m afraid, and far prefer the original choice, “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) 6. “Never Say Never Again” (just dull) If we’re including the OHMSS instrumental with the Connerys, I like it a lot—it’d probably beat out “Russia” for No. 2. And Dr. No’s is just the Bond theme, right? Though “Underneath the Mango Tree” is such an earworm.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 21:33:11 GMT 1
Do we dare rank the Connery themes? They’re all pretty close in my book. Even Russia is iconic without lyrics. I like “Russia” quite a bit, actually, even with the lyrics. For some reason its use at the end really works for me, even though the lyric has nothing to do the movie. But my ranking would probably be this: 1. “You Only Live Twice” (music is so cool, and that rarest of rarities, a bearable Leslie Bricusse lyric!) 2. “From Russia with Love” 3. “Goldfinger” (I know, I know, but I can’t get over how the lyric doesn’t fit the movie at all) 4. “Diamonds Are Forever” (Shirley Bassey and the music are fun enough to overcome Don Black’s typically nonsensical lyric) 5. “Thunderball” (I don’t like this one at all, I’m afraid, and far prefer the original choice, “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) 6. “Never Say Never Again” (just dull) If we’re including the OHMSS instrumental with the Connerys, I like it a lot—it’d probably beat out “Russia” for No. 2. And Dr. No’s is just the Bond theme, right? Though “Underneath the Mango Tree” is such an earworm. I’ve always wondered: what is the origin of that song at the end of Russia? Was it written for the movie? If so, I wonder why didn’t just use those vocals over the main titles.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2021 21:34:00 GMT 1
Lord Death Man , care to rank the Connery themes? Also, anyone else that hasn’t posted yet. Taylor First? Biz Bizzington? Chalice of Evil? I forget who all is a Bond fan here.
|
|
|
Post by AQUA JAR!™ on Nov 23, 2021 21:43:41 GMT 1
Lord Death Man , care to rank the Connery themes? Also, anyone else that hasn’t posted yet. Taylor First? Biz Bizzington? Chalice of Evil? I forget who all is a Bond fan here. Nah, they haven't.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Death Man on Nov 23, 2021 21:46:56 GMT 1
You hit the nail on the head with Billie Ellish and Sam Smith(?). No Time to Die feels overwrought and lacks any tension. Writing's On The Wall feels like an extreme vocal showcase that was designed for The Voice. It adds nothing to the movie or franchise as a whole. I admit that Another Way To Die is not perfect, and I hated it when I first heard it, but I'm a sucker for an odd pairing. White and Keys bring enough bravura to the proceeding to at least keep you engaged. The lyrics really cut, and the duet format added something new to the Bond theme music lexicon. I've grown to like this song over time, and I don't hit skip anymore when it inevitably plays when listening to the best of… Cornell really set a high Bar with You Know My Name. No one managed to top it. I consider the song to be a part of the film's success as much as the overall quality of the filmmaking. I believe we have discussed the remarkable lyric writing skills of Mr Cornell before, but it’s worth mentioning again. He was just so good, and his Bond theme is no exception… ”If you take a life, do you know what you give? Odds are you won’t like what it is. When the storm arrives would you be seen with me, by the merciless eyes of deceit. I’ve seen angels fall from blinding heights. But you yourself are nothing so divine. Just next in line.” Brilliant! He was unequaled in my mind as a lyricist. His poetry is intelligent, sophisticated and haunting. He seemed unable to be dishonest in his work as a song writer. My favorite portion of You Know My Name is the following: Arm yourself because no one else here will save you The odds will betray you And I will replace you You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you It longs to kill you, are you willing to die? The coldest blood runs through my veins…You Know My Name. It pairs perfectly with Casino Royale's themes of hardening yourself to move up to the next level of a lethal game. There's a sense of needing to get to your essential self to survive.
|
|
|
Post by taylorfirst1 on Nov 23, 2021 23:55:18 GMT 1
"Goldfinger" is the number 1 theme of the Connery era.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Death Man on Nov 24, 2021 17:07:49 GMT 1
It was really tough to rank these as I like them all almost equally. What follows is a list ranked in order of how frequently iTunes says I've listened to these songs, along with some general impressions.
Thunderball The sense of drama and impending doom is unmatched in the catalog. For me, Thunderball is the king of all Connery-era Bond songs. I love the way the villain is rendered as an almost supernatural threat in the lyrics. …Black Thunderball!
Goldfinger Another song about the villain. Why don't they do songs about the villain anymore? This one is my favorite among the generally excellent Bassey songs, mostly because of the music. Lyrically, if Thunderball is a wrecking machine, Goldfinger is a snake, lying in wait.
You Only Live Twice …Twice is arguable a model Bond song, but at the same time, it feels atypical—there is something simultaneously soothing and urgent about it. I don't need these songs to be literal interpretations of the films. I like my themes, impressionistic and obscure, and this one is bittersweet and sophisticated. The lyrics expand on Fleming's meaning of the phrase as presented in the book.
From Russia with Love This one is far afield of the film and the novel it's derived from, but it saves itself as a study in contrasts. Munro sings in earnest about pining for lost love and growing "wiser" with time. The tone is corny but sincere, in stark opposition to the film/book where you can't take anything at face value.
Diamonds are Forever Love the music and the perspective shift here. Diamonds… is sung from the Bond girl's point of view (I suspect). The bass is killer on this tune, and it has an ending tailor-made for a grand explosion in the film. Bassey earns her DBE here… Most Excellent, indeed.
Never Say Never Again Never… is a throwaway, but it does serve as an interesting curiosity to listen to from time to time. I purchased the most recent deluxe collection of Bond themes (on gold vinyl) and found myself strangely disappointed by the absence of this disreputable tune in the canon. For better or (much) worse, it is a Bond theme.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2021 19:48:28 GMT 1
It was really tough to rank these as I like them all almost equally. What follows is a list ranked in order of how frequently iTunes says I've listened to these songs, along with some general impressions. ThunderballThe sense of drama and impending doom is unmatched in the catalog. For me, Thunderball is the king of all Connery-era Bond songs. I love the way the villain is rendered as an almost supernatural threat in the lyrics. …Black Thunderball! GoldfingerAnother song about the villain. Why don't they do songs about the villain anymore? This one is my favorite among the generally excellent Bassey songs, mostly because of the music. Lyrically, if Thunderball is a wrecking machine, Goldfinger is a snake, lying in wait. You Only Live Twice…Twice is arguable a model Bond song, but at the same time, it feels atypical—there is something simultaneously soothing and urgent about it. I don't need these songs to be literal interpretations of the films. I like my themes, impressionistic and obscure, and this one is bittersweet and sophisticated. The lyrics expand on Fleming's meaning of the phrase as presented in the book. From Russia with LoveThis one is far afield of the film and the novel it's derived from, but it saves itself as a study in contrasts. Munro sings in earnest about pining for lost love and growing "wiser" with time. The tone is corny but sincere, in stark opposition to the film/book where you can't take anything at face value. Diamonds are ForeverLove the music and the perspective shift here. Diamonds… is sung from the Bond girl's point of view (I suspect). The bass is killer on this tune, and it has an ending tailor-made for a grand explosion in the film. Bassey earns her DBE here… Most Excellent, indeed. Never Say Never AgainNever… is a throwaway, but it does serve as an interesting curiosity to listen to from time to time. I purchased the most recent deluxe collection of Bond themes (on gold vinyl) and found myself strangely disappointed by the absence of this disreputable tune in the canon. For better or (much) worse, it is a Bond theme. Excellent reviews here, LDM. I have to say though, I always thought that the lyrics in Thunderball were about Bond himself. After a google search it seems even the fan base is split on the interpretation. Very interesting. I’ll have to give this another listen later and see if my opinion changes.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2021 19:51:04 GMT 1
I believe we have discussed the remarkable lyric writing skills of Mr Cornell before, but it’s worth mentioning again. He was just so good, and his Bond theme is no exception… ”If you take a life, do you know what you give? Odds are you won’t like what it is. When the storm arrives would you be seen with me, by the merciless eyes of deceit. I’ve seen angels fall from blinding heights. But you yourself are nothing so divine. Just next in line.” Brilliant! He was unequaled in my mind as a lyricist. His poetry is intelligent, sophisticated and haunting. He seemed unable to be dishonest in his work as a song writer. My favorite portion of You Know My Name is the following: Arm yourself because no one else here will save you The odds will betray you And I will replace you You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you It longs to kill you, are you willing to die? The coldest blood runs through my veins…You Know My Name. It pairs perfectly with Casino Royale's themes of hardening yourself to move up to the next level of a lethal game. There's a sense of needing to get to your essential self to survive. By the way, as one Cornell fan to another, I’d be remissed if I didn’t recommend the Temple of the Dog album. You are likely already aware of it, but it’s one that a lot of people sleep on, myself included for a long while. It’s not on the level of Soundgarden’s (or Audioslave’s) best, but it’s a must listen for fans.
|
|
|
Post by Lord Death Man on Nov 25, 2021 8:44:10 GMT 1
He was unequaled in my mind as a lyricist. His poetry is intelligent, sophisticated and haunting. He seemed unable to be dishonest in his work as a song writer. My favorite portion of You Know My Name is the following: Arm yourself because no one else here will save you The odds will betray you And I will replace you You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you It longs to kill you, are you willing to die? The coldest blood runs through my veins…You Know My Name. It pairs perfectly with Casino Royale's themes of hardening yourself to move up to the next level of a lethal game. There's a sense of needing to get to your essential self to survive. By the way, as one Cornell fan to another, I’d be remissed if I didn’t recommend the Temple of the Dog album. You are likely already aware of it, but it’s one that a lot of people sleep on, myself included for a long while. It’s not on the level of Soundgarden’s (or Audioslave’s) best, but it’s a must listen for fans. I borrowed the Temple of the Dog record from a friend who was a big Andrew Wood fan. I played it once, and I remember thinking it was good but not as good as some other stuff I listened to. Hunger Strike was the stand out track to me. At the time, I was more into punk and hardcore. It also didn't help that I had a crappy sound system that did not do the record justice. I also didn't have the emotional maturity you need to truly appreciate the album. Cut to a year later (I think), and Hunger Strike was getting all of this airplay all of a sudden on mainstream radio. I knew the song from somewhere but had completely forgotten about the album. When I listened to it again on a better sound system, it blew me away - one of my all-time favorites. These days Say Hello to Heaven is now my favorite song on that record because Hunger Strike got played to death on pop radio. Poor girl never got her records back. She moved out of state - I still have her Love Buzz b/w Big Cheese seven-inch. It fetches a pretty penny in the collector's market these days.
|
|
|
Post by AQUA SALZ! on Dec 16, 2021 17:55:20 GMT 1
Funny question, but does this Sondheim song sound like a Bond theme to anyone else? Musically, not lyrically, but I could imagine it easily being in any one of the Daltons, Brosnans, or Craigs.
|
|
|
Post by Indiana Jones on Feb 5, 2022 3:40:08 GMT 1
Skyfall 10/10
Casino Royale 9/10
No Time to Die 8/10
Quantum of Solace 7/10
Spectre 6/10
|
|