BuzzJack
Entertainment Discussion

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register | Help )

Latest Site News
 
This thread is locked.Create a new thread
> James Bond Theme Survivor ● Round 2
Track this thread - Email this thread - Print this thread - Download this thread - Subscribe to this forum
James Bond Theme Survivor ● Round 2
Choose your TWO least favourites
Matt Monro - From Russia With Love [ 15 ] ** [21.74%]
Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Tom Jones - Thunderball [ 9 ] ** [13.04%]
Nancy Sinatra - You Only Live Twice [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Louis Armstrong - We Have All the Time in the World [ 1 ] ** [1.45%]
Shirley Bassey - Diamonds Are Forever [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Paul McCartney & Wings - Live & Let Die [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Lulu - The Man With the Golden Gun [ 3 ] ** [4.35%]
Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Shirley Bassey - Moonraker [ 1 ] ** [1.45%]
Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Rita Coolidge - All Time High [ 8 ] ** [11.59%]
Duran Duran - A View to a Kill [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
a-ha - The Living Daylights [ 3 ] ** [4.35%]
Gladys Knight - Licence to Kill [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Tina Turner - GoldenEye [ 1 ] ** [1.45%]
Sheryl Crow - Tomorrow Never Dies [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]
Garbage - The World is Not Enough [ 2 ] ** [2.90%]
Madonna - Die Another Day [ 13 ] ** [18.84%]
Chris Cornell - You Know My Name [ 10 ] ** [14.49%]
Adele - Skyfall [ 3 ] ** [4.35%]
Total votes: 34
  
Liam.k.
post Jan 24 2020, 06:17 AM
Post #1
Group icon
BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,917
User: 12,472


In last place is the most recent James Bond theme, 'Writing's on the Wall' by Sam Smith. I know it's a polarising track but I think being first out is undeserved. I imagine the heavy use of falsetto is what deters people from the track, but the production has all the drama and intensity you'd expect from a Bond theme and everything comes together so well when you hear it play during the opening credits (I think it may work better in this context than when played as a stand-alone song). Radiohead had originally been approached to compose a track for the film. The band put forward 'Man of War', an outtake from OK Computer, but the producers wanted an original piece in order to be eligible for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. They created 'Spectre' but it was ultimately rejected, supposedly 'too dark' (why you'd ask Radiohead to write a song and be shocked that it was dark!).



We also lose 'Another Way to Die' by Alicia Keys and Jack White, the first and only duet. I have a soft spot for this song but I do agree that it places at the bottom of the Bond themes. It starts off great, I really like the snarling, aggressive electric guitar and I think the piano compliments it well. Jack and Alicia's contrasting vocals work fine in A-B-A-B form but it doesn't work when it comes the chorus, which is already to jarred and awkward. The problems with the song become more prominent towards the end. I remember there being lots of names rumoured to record the Bond theme at the time; Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse were originally signed but the latter's personal problems meant they were unable to, which lead the producers to reach out to various music agencies. 'Forever (I Am All Yours)' by Christian Wolf and Eva Almér can be heard online and Bond theme legend Shirley Bassey recorded a song titled 'No Good About Goodbye' with David Arnold, although the latter has since confirmed the song wasn't written for Bond.

Results
22. Another Way to Die (Alicia Keys & Jack White) // 18 votes out of 52
23. Writing's on the Wall (Sam Smith) // 19 votes out of 52



For Round 2, again pick your TWO least favourites.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Bjork
post Jan 24 2020, 07:39 AM
Post #2
Group icon
BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 November 2015
Posts: 33,144
User: 22,665
I have to admit I voted for those 2 but without re-listening to the old ones, but I did now, and certainly some are worst than Sam
the problem with the SamSmith song is that he over-sings it and ruins it
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Tafty³³³
post Jan 24 2020, 08:55 AM
Post #3
Group icon
I found the love, I found the love in me
Pronouns: He/Him
Joined: 13 December 2007
Posts: 87,407
User: 5,042
Good riddance to that Sam track. Maybe not quite "first to go" but def bottom 5. So overrated (in general - obvz not on here lol)

I went for Rita and a-ha.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
gavindeejay
post Jan 24 2020, 09:16 AM
Post #4
Group icon
Why do today, what you can do tomorrow?
Joined: 7 November 2008
Posts: 10,466
User: 7,645
Madonna has to go next! Also voted Rita Coolidge
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Liam.k.
post Jan 24 2020, 09:33 AM
Post #5
Group icon
BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,917
User: 12,472
I went for 'From Russia With Love' and 'The Man With the Golden Gun'.

'From Russia With Love' just isn't much to my taste and I think Matt Monro's voice is a bit dull and lacks in feeling, especially when compared to the other early Bond themes. I do like the John Barry instrumental that was used over the opening credits though, very vibrant, romantic and exotic.

'The Man With the Golden Gun' is another guilty pleasure of the Bond themes but seems more suited to Austin Powers than James Bond. I can't fault Lulu's vocal though, she gives it her all and it's a belty and provocative performance.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
coi
post Jan 24 2020, 09:55 AM
Post #6
Group icon
BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 23 June 2018
Posts: 9,511
User: 73,240
Writing’s On The Wall didn’t deserve to finish bottom here, it’s not that bad!
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Jessie Where
post Jan 24 2020, 09:57 AM
Post #7
Group icon
Break the tension
Joined: 7 March 2006
Posts: 88,842
User: 51
I don't think Sam's is quite the worst, but I definitely would have been voting for it soon anyway so it's no biggie.

Tom Jones - Thunderball
Chris Cornell - You Know My Name
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Jordanlee
post Jan 24 2020, 12:00 PM
Post #8
Group icon
Jord
Joined: 12 March 2017
Posts: 10,757
User: 27,116
No way did Sam deserve to be last here. It’s actually one of the best Bond themes for me and I’m not really a huge fan of them personally but if we’re voting on the song it’s a smash!
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Jordanlee
post Jan 24 2020, 12:01 PM
Post #9
Group icon
Jord
Joined: 12 March 2017
Posts: 10,757
User: 27,116
Back to the poll I voted LuLu and a-ha.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
pippa
post Jan 24 2020, 08:40 PM
Post #10
Group icon
BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 11 June 2011
Posts: 23,981
User: 14,031
Matt Monro.
Madonna.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post
Jason
post Jan 25 2020, 01:04 AM
Post #11
Group icon
I've been looking for a Lasting Lover
Joined: 23 March 2007
Posts: 28,665
User: 3,149
Matt Monro & Madonna to die this round.
Go to the top of this page
 
+Quote this post


This thread is locked.Create a new thread

1 user(s) are reading this thread (1 guests and 0 anonymous users)
0 members:


 

Time is now: 16th April 2024 - 04:36 AM