Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Arts and Entertainment => Topic started by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 09:43:52 am

Title: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 09:43:52 am
I think the new Skyfall theme by Adele is a really good return to "proper" Bond theme tunes.

Definitely some musical references to past greats.

What is the greatest Bond theme tune?

There are some absolute stunners to choose from.




Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 09:44:57 am
Shirley wins, but there are some other real corkers.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 October, 2012, 09:56:50 am
Apropos of nothing in particular, today's Metro contains a review of Skyfall which says that Daniel Craig thrusts himself around the screen like an urgent penis.

I think Adele's song is a dead ringer for Diamonds are Forever. DaF, Goldfinger, Thunderball and Nobody Does it Better are the best Bond songs.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 09:59:40 am
Live and let die and Nobody does it better are my favourites.

Most of them are pretty bland and follow the same tired formula. The current one included....
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: TimC on 26 October, 2012, 10:00:17 am
Live and Let Die for me too.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 26 October, 2012, 10:06:53 am
Live & Let Die is great – there’s a wonderful bit in the film Grosse Pointe Blank where the G&R version of it is blasting out, until John Cusack’s character walks into a convenience store, when the soundtrack switches to a muzak version of Live & Let Die, at the exact same point in the song.  Lovely. 
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 10:15:57 am
I have Spotify playng them in the background, starting with Dr No

My verdict in later today (although Goldfinger ticks all the boxes and will take some beating).

The greatest Bond parody of course was "Life of Brian" by Sonia Jones.  It even out-Goldfingers Dame Shirley.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 10:18:43 am
I've just looked at the list.  I can't bring to mind any of them since Goldeneye, which was terrible.

But I agree LALD is good, and Carly Simon singing 'Nobody Does It Better' (though I still think DaF and Goldfinger are just utter blockbusters).

Which are the worst, I wonder?  The Living Daylights?  View To A Kill? 
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:05 am
View to a Kill is obviously the second worst, because Simon le Bon. But the total worst ever is Madonna's Die Another Day.

Live and Let Die can go on my list of best ones too.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Karla on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:55 am
You know my name - Chris Cornell

(Casino Royale)
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 10:21:46 am
Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:05 am
... But the total worst ever is Madonna's Die Another Day.

You're right.  I just looked that one up, expecting it to be bad.  It was worse.

That's comprehensively answered my question. ;D
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 10:29:20 am
I'm not that keen on Goldfinger as a song. Maybe because it's the one that so many of the others try and be like. And it's played to death. But I do really like the incidental music throughout the film. Much of which is of course rearrangements of parts of the theme...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 10:31:35 am
OHMSS had an fabulous instrumental theme AND Lois Armstrong's amazing, and fairly ironic, "We have all the time in the world"

Currently, on my Bond odyssey, Thunderball has it over Godlfinger.

Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 10:32:40 am
Wasn't that the playout rather than the theme?  I do like that song, though.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: TimC on 26 October, 2012, 10:35:42 am
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 26 October, 2012, 10:31:35 am
OHMSS had an fabulous instrumental theme AND Lois Armstrong's amazing, and fairly ironic, "We have all the time in the world"

Currently, on my Bond odyssey, Thunderball has it over Godlfinger.



Tom Jones over Burly Chassis any day for me. Madonna is indeed dire. Lulu's is a good one (The Man With The Golden Gun).
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: pcolbeck on 26 October, 2012, 10:37:23 am
Two Shirleys have done Bond themes. I quite like "The world is not enough", it sounds like a Bond them.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 10:41:29 am
Ouch!  "The Man with the Golden Gun" by Lulu is more awful than I remember

"He's got a powerful weapon........" (Mr Humphries innuendo alert)
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: TimC on 26 October, 2012, 10:47:52 am
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 26 October, 2012, 10:41:29 am
Ouch!  "The Man with the Golden Gun" by Lulu is more awful than I remember

"He's got a powerful weapon........" (Mr Humphries innuendo alert)

Ah, yes. I retract what I said earlier. A listen proved my memory is fallible. 'The Man With The Golden Gun' is awful.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 10:52:17 am
I swear I've never heard "All Time High" by Rita Coolidge" before (Octopussy).

I wasn't missing anything. It's the worst so far....it's just ...nothing.

Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: mattc on 26 October, 2012, 10:55:30 am
Live and Let Die is probably the best tune of the whole lot, but it never really feels like Bond music.

(All The Time in The World - gorgeous music, and so poignant in the context. I checked Wiki:
" Barry also composed the love song, "We Have All the Time in the World", with lyrics by Burt Bacharach's regular lyricist Hal David, sung by Louis Armstrong. It is heard during the Bond–Tracy courtship montage, bridging Draco's birthday party in Portugal and Bond's burglary of the Gebrüder Gumbold law office in Bern, Switzerland. It was Louis Armstrong's last recorded song as he died of a heart attack two years later."
)

The longer Bond goes on, the more I think it benefits from retro music instead of risking Madonna/LeBon disasters!
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 10:56:31 am
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 26 October, 2012, 10:52:17 am
I swear I've never heard "All Time High" by Rita Coolidge" before (Octopussy).

I wasn't missing anything. It's the worst so far....it's just ...nothing.



I recall it quite clearly, funnily enough.  It is awful.  I considered nominating it for the worst.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: rogerzilla on 26 October, 2012, 10:56:31 am
There have been a lot of shite ones; even Bassey's "Moonraker" is very indifferent.

I'd go for Live And Let Die*, OHMSS or the cheese of From Russia With Love (Matt Monro) or Thunderball (Tom Jones).

"Nobody Does It Better" isn't the best but it suits The Spy Who Loved Me, which is probably the most perfect (not the best, that's OHMSS as any fule no, but the most representative) Bond film.   The amazingly cheesy pre-title sequence with the Union Flag parachute, a truly mad villain living under the sea, the Pyramids and a submersible Lotus Esprit.  What more could you want?


*although I think G'N'R improved on the original
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: mattc on 26 October, 2012, 11:04:20 am
Quote from: Wascally Weasel on 26 October, 2012, 10:06:53 am
Live & Let Die is great – there’s a wonderful bit in the film Grosse Pointe Blank where the G&R version of it is blasting out, until John Cusack’s character walks into a convenience store, when the soundtrack switches to a muzak version of Live & Let Die, at the exact same point in the song.  Lovely.
Like RZ, I prefer the GnR version. (Sorry Sir Paul).

The above reminded me of another good usage of GnR: Interview With a Vampire uses their version of Sympathy For The Devil. It's a good cover (if not remotely innovative), and it fits that final scene just beautifully - a proper cinematic moment.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: TimC on 26 October, 2012, 11:05:37 am
Quote from: rogerzilla on 26 October, 2012, 10:56:31 am
From Russia With Love (Matt Monro)


(OT) I met Mr Munro after watching him in a CSE show at RAF Gutersloh in about 1975. He, I, and assorted hangers-on repaired to the Sergeants' Mess where, over the next six hours, he gave a masterclass in whiskey drinking and ribald story-telling. The hangover I suffered was world-class, and is why I've never drunk whiskey since.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 11:10:23 am
But do you still drink whisky?

Bond of course preferred whiskey in the books.

Nice story btw!
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 11:17:15 am
Just heard Skyfall on the radio again.  You're right.  It's derivative - all the elements that 'are supposed to be' there for a Bond theme.  I think that the themes should be kept a bit retro, but not fossilised.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 11:54:00 am
Just my opinion

#1 - Theme from OHMSS (menacing and driving rythm.)
#2 - Diamonds are forever (100% Bassey but nicely restrained)
#3 - Thunderball (100% Jones and 100% Bond lyrics)
#4 - Goldfinger (100% Bassey but way over the top)
#5 - Theme from Dr No. (It's THE Bond theme, what became the leitmotif through all the films.  It's up there with the Dr Who theme for evoking memories .  Maybe it's something to do with Doctors)

They span the first (classic?) 10 years of Bond

I don't like any of the contemporary themes. 

If you choose a contemporary piece then you risk having The Monkees, or Freddie and the Dreamers, instead of Shirley Bassey or Tom Jones. (See A-Ha)

Only great voices need apply (Which is why Adele is a good choice, I think it will stand the test of time, many good ones are derivative to a greater or lesser extend....you just can't beat a good old "WAAAAHHHH WAAHHHH" brass section or some sweeping violins )
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 October, 2012, 12:19:23 pm
Quote from: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 11:10:23 am
But do you still drink whisky?

Bond of course preferred whiskey in the books.

Nice story btw!
Quite right. All the fuss about martini is bollocks.

He also drank lager in the books - Red Stripe when in Jamaica.  Yes, it's named, omg, product placement <facepalm>

I heard interview with DC last night - when asked about the significance of the films and relevance to live, he said (I paraphrase)
"It's fantasy . . . spies and assassins . . . anyone looking for deep meaning risks disappearing up their own arsehole."

He came across as being a real laugh.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 12:58:58 pm
Quote from: mrcharly on 26 October, 2012, 12:19:23 pm
He also drank lager in the books - Red Stripe when in Jamaica.

He didn't like it though. He only drank it to fit in...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 October, 2012, 01:29:36 pm
I can't bring "The Man with the Golden Gun" to mind right now, but the very idea of Lulu singing a Bond theme seems wrong.

I shall have to go on a Bond-listening spree now.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 26 October, 2012, 01:48:13 pm
TMWTGG is no worse than some of the others. Plus it has an amusing, out of place, over enthusiastic guitar part buried in the mix...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: geraldc on 26 October, 2012, 09:22:23 pm
TMWTGG at least has double entendres in the lyrics. Lulu is quality compared to some that followed.

Sheena Easton is up there with the least deserving Bond singers.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: red marley on 26 October, 2012, 09:45:15 pm
The trouble with that Lulu song is that her voice just sounds feeble and throaty compared to Shirley's that she appears to be trying to imitate.

For some top Bond covers, I would recommend Natacha Atlas' gorgeous You Only Live Twice  (my favourite Bond theme) and From Russia With Love.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 26 October, 2012, 11:08:49 pm
Quote from: geraldc on 26 October, 2012, 09:22:23 pm
TMWTGG at least has double entendres in the lyrics. Lulu is quality compared to some that followed.

Sheena Easton is up there with the least deserving Bond singers.

Sheena Easton falls into the category "extremely contemporary artist".

Apart from "A-Ha" I don't think there was a more fleeting moment of fame than Sheena (she did duet with Prince).

I'd have put George Michael down for a Bond theme.  He's got a great voice and he's stood the test of time.  It's not like he can claim Bond is too camp for his image.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Fab Foodie on 26 October, 2012, 11:58:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:55 am
You know my name - Chris Cornell

(Casino Royale)
Great, especially the way it weaves through the film like a proper overture.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 27 October, 2012, 06:46:36 pm
Quote from: Fab Foodie on 26 October, 2012, 11:58:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:55 am
You know my name - Chris Cornell

(Casino Royale)
Great, especially the way it weaves through the film like a proper overture.

But ask anyone in the street to hum it?
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Fab Foodie on 27 October, 2012, 08:13:59 pm
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 27 October, 2012, 06:46:36 pm
Quote from: Fab Foodie on 26 October, 2012, 11:58:11 pm
Quote from: Mr Bunbury on 26 October, 2012, 10:20:55 am
You know my name - Chris Cornell

(Casino Royale)
Great, especially the way it weaves through the film like a proper overture.

But ask anyone in the street to hum it?

Doesn't make it a bad tune ...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: madcow on 27 October, 2012, 08:32:09 pm
Think you are a bit harsh on Sheena Easton as she had 2 top ten records in close order and made No. 1 in the USA. Her chart success was limited but she lasted longer than some of the recent X-Factor bozos.

My choice

1. From Russia with Love-Matt Monro's voice clinches it and it ties in with the plot. Although the original theme was an instrumental version.
2. You only live twice- Is that a Rolf Harris Stylophone ?
3. Nobody does it better-I remember coming back into UK after 6 weeks in Iceland (pre-internet, Bond hype etc.) and I heard this record on the car radio coming home. Stood out from all the dross on radio that day, still does.
Title: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: docsquid on 27 October, 2012, 08:40:36 pm
Skyfall theme. Lovely bit of writing. Good song. Really recalls the proper Bond themes of the past. But Adele is no Shirley Bassey. Her performance is very weak, even for her, on this song. No light and shade at all in her voice.  It needed somebody to belt it out and she just potters her way through it with no emotion at all in her performance.

So good song, shame about the singer, hope somebody good does a cover of it. And I normally like Adele. But this is really not her best.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 27 October, 2012, 08:48:52 pm
Quote from: docsquid on 27 October, 2012, 08:40:36 pm
Skyfall theme. Lovely bit of writing. Good song. Really recalls the proper Bond themes of the past. But Adele is no Shirley Bassey. Her performance is very weak, even for her, on this song. No light and shade at all in her voice.  It needed somebody to belt it out and she just potters her way through it with no emotion at all in her performance.

So good song, shame about the singer, hope somebody good does a cover of it. And I normally like Adele. But this is really not her best.

I heard rumours about it being written for Amy Winehouse.  Now there's a shame.

EDIT.  She co-wrote it so maybe not.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Charlotte on 29 October, 2012, 08:00:19 am
Quote from: clarion on 26 October, 2012, 11:17:15 am
Just heard Skyfall on the radio again.  You're right.  It's derivative - all the elements that 'are supposed to be' there for a Bond theme.

Maybe - but you've only just heard it and it's new to you.

See, I like pretty much all of the Bond themes.  Of course you can't beat a bit of Burly Chassis for sheer vocal power, but they've all got a little bit of magic in them, I think.

Living Daylights, All Time High, View To A Kill - even Die Another Day.  I don't care - they're marvellously of their time and still worth listening to on the bike :smug:
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: bobb on 29 October, 2012, 08:30:10 am
Quote from: Charlotte on 29 October, 2012, 08:00:19 am
they're marvellously of their time and still worth listening to on the bike

I used to have a tape of the all the Bond themes when I was 17. I used to listen to it when driving around in my mothers MkII Cavalier (Bond had to go under cover sometimes you know) I was driving through town one day and the theme came on. I was suddenly aware of being followed by SMERSH. The traffic ahead had stopped as a bus was in the way. The first "DER DER DA DERRRR!" came in, so I slammed it into first, went round all the cars in front and squeezed past the bus to make my escape. The gap wasn't really wide enough, but that never put Bond off so I carried on - scrapping the passenger side wing mirror down the length of the bus. The driver (who I was pretty sure was a SMERSH operative) started shouting stuff, so before he could kill me, I turned down a side street leaving my pursuers in a cloud of tyre smoke.

I had some explaining to do when I got home - like why the nearside mirror was dangling off the side of the car and I had to keep my head down for weeks. Every time I saw the number 32 bus with a thick black scrape down its side I was reminded of my lucky escape...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: redshift on 29 October, 2012, 04:56:49 pm
Apart from the originals, I heartily recommend the David Arnold James Bond project 'Shaken and Stirred' which includes a doozy of a version of Diamonds Are Forever sung by David McAlmont.

Also, the Propellerheads...
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 01:35:27 pm
Moonraker, Living Daylights or View to a kill were my favs.

50/50 on Skyfall tbh
Title: Re: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 October, 2012, 05:54:59 pm
Quote from: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 01:35:27 pm
Moonraker, Living Daylights or View to a kill were my favs.

50/50 on Skyfall tbh
Philistine!
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Von Broad on 30 October, 2012, 05:59:21 pm
Quote from: jo on 26 October, 2012, 09:45:15 pm
You Only Live Twice  (my favourite Bond theme)

Yes, mine too [Easy to forget that Nancy Sinatra sung the original.]
I also loved the film. Taking pleasure the Japanesse way  :)

For a classically-sounding John Barry Bond theme you need those plenty of those good old-fashioned false relations going on, mixed in with a few minor 9ths and some high strings, and you've cracked it. Knowing that is the easy bit. Writing a good one? That's not quite so easy!

[Haven't heard Skyfall yet]

Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 30 October, 2012, 06:09:40 pm
Quote from: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 01:35:27 pm
Moonraker, Living Daylights or View to a kill were my favs.

50/50 on Skyfall tbh

You're on your own in that particular Venn diagram I suspect.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 October, 2012, 06:24:18 pm
I didn't think the Skyfall theme was that striking, but I suppose I was watching the blood and the tombstones at the time.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 07:56:36 pm
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 30 October, 2012, 06:09:40 pm
Quote from: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 01:35:27 pm
Moonraker, Living Daylights or View to a kill were my favs.

50/50 on Skyfall tbh

You're on your own in that particular Venn diagram I suspect.

I was talking about theme music, in terms of the films Goldfinger is still I think the best.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: LEE on 02 November, 2012, 04:40:07 pm
Quote from: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 07:56:36 pm
Quote from: Paul Metcalfe on 30 October, 2012, 06:09:40 pm
Quote from: gene hunt on 30 October, 2012, 01:35:27 pm
Moonraker, Living Daylights or View to a kill were my favs.

50/50 on Skyfall tbh

You're on your own in that particular Venn diagram I suspect.

I was talking about theme music, in terms of the films Goldfinger is still I think the best.

I wouldn't argue that it wasn't, despite my own selection.

Goldfinger sort of defines the Bond genre and almost every Bond stereotype is based on it.

Of course it did have the most beautiful of co-stars

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: rogerzilla on 02 November, 2012, 04:57:22 pm
I don't think you'd get type approval with all those pointy edges.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: mattc on 02 November, 2012, 06:12:37 pm
(I'm too proud to post in Vroom, so I'll try sneaking this in here: the Top Gear Bond Cars special was rather good. )
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 October, 2013, 08:05:05 pm
Quote from: docsquid on 27 October, 2012, 08:40:36 pm
Skyfall theme. Lovely bit of writing. Good song. Really recalls the proper Bond themes of the past. But Adele is no Shirley Bassey. Her performance is very weak, even for her, on this song. No light and shade at all in her voice.  It needed somebody to belt it out and she just potters her way through it with no emotion at all in her performance.

So good song, shame about the singer, hope somebody good does a cover of it. And I normally like Adele. But this is really not her best.
I've been going to Bodybalance at the gym for the past few weeks and the current balance track is a very insipid rock cover of Skyfall. The best thing I can say about it is that the quality of the song manages to shine through, and makes you miss Adele.
Title: Re: Skyfall and other Bond theme tunes
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 20 October, 2013, 07:23:26 pm
I don't get the fuss about the Skyfall theme. I'll admit I'm not a big lover of Adele anyway but she sounds like she's asleep or been drugged while she's singing,
Live and let die possibly has the most bombastic track, but Macca's singing is pretty feeble, which lets it down IMO.
Goldfinger I reckon is the nearest in terms of both music track and vocals.

PS I was a big fan of a-ha in my yoof  but will happily admit The Living Daylights is shite. I don't think there was a meeting of minds there. If There Was A Man by The Pretenders on the same soundtrack was better.