Happy James Bond Day! Today (5 October 2012) is the fiftieth anniversary of the premiere of Dr. No, kickstarting one of the world's best and most successful movie franchises. It's also the day that Adele has chosen to release her Bond song- 'Skyfall' (which fittingly premiered at seven minutes past midnight, or 0.07 if you like). It's epic, beautiful and downright tingly and deserves to do well. It could even be the first Bond theme to get a Number 1 in the UK charts. Check it out here. So, to celebrate, Rhys has chosen his five favourite and least favourite Bond themes. Here they are in chronological order: FAVOURITE SONGS
'Goldfinger' (Shirley Bassey)
Bassey's diva vocals and the use of Bond theme music throughout the theme – to me makes it the archetype (like the film it's from) and sets the tone for all others.
'Thunderball' (Tom Jones)
TOM JONES! What more can be said? Maybe - If only Tom returned for a Dalton adventure, we would have had even more Welsh perfection!
'Live And Let Die' (Paul McCartney & Wings)
How can this not be in anyone's top 5 Bond Themes? Just different, but shows the rest how to be different and keep it Bond!
'Licence To Kill' (Gladys Knight)
Storming, powerful, strong– just like the film. This song signalled a retun to the classic diva vocal and is also a powerful song, while the film saw the return of Bond's edgy side!
'The World Is Not Enough' (Garbage)
This is a great example of taking the classic sound of a Bond theme and giving it a current (90s at the time) feel to it. Just sets you up for a Bond film – just great!
LEAST FAVOURITE SONGS
'From Russia With Love' (Matt Monro)
Such a drab, clunky song- it just irritates me every time I hear it and, if it wasn't for the use of the title in the lyrics, you would never be able to tell it's a Bond theme!
'Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (Dionne Warwick, recorded as an alternative to 'Thunderball' [also recorded by Shirley Bassey])
Words fail me – just so bad!
'All Time High' (Rita Coolidge)
This just makes me want to fall to sleep and I'm so glad that, when watching my Bond DVD, I can fast forward this and just get to the action!
'You Know My Name' (Chris Cornell)
This just sounded second class. It sounds like something produced for a video game adventure of 007 – it belongs on a PS3 not a cinema screen.
'Another Way To Die' (Jack White & Alicia Keys)
This should have had the vocal power that many others had – especially because Alicia Keys was involved. But what you end up with is just one hell of an overproduced mash of sounds trying to be a Bond theme. The whole thing just doesn't work – between Keys' voice squashed with weird vocal effects and the annoying Piano. NO! Just NO. …. yeah I hate this one! Rhys
One of the essential parts of any Bond film is the theme song. In the week that it was confirmed that Adele has recorded the theme song for Skyfall, it seems a good time to discuss my five favourite and five least favourite of the Bond themes so far (I haven't ranked them; they're done in chronological order) FAVOURITE SONGS
'Diamonds Are Forever' (Shirley Bassey)
As queen of the Bond theme (three to date), Dame Shirl would have to be here somewhere. It was a real toss-up between this and 'Moonraker' but my affection for the film Diamonds Are Forever snuck it. There's something so gloriously OTT and camp about the song which fits nicely with the film to follow.
'Live And Let Die' (Paul McCartney & Wings)
Recently voted the nation's favourite Bond theme (according to listeners of Radio 2), so who am I to argue? The guitars are fantastic and the rock-y nature of the song is a marked contrast from the power ballads and love songs of 60s and early 70s Bond.
'Nobody Does It Better' (Carly Simon)
This is a beautifully written song, beautifully sung and a song which has transcended the Bond theme origin to become a love song in its own right.
'License To Kill' (Gladys Knight)
There is an undeniable strength and passion to Knight's voice which suits this most powerful of power ballads. Knight's voice is just truly sublime, making this a strong entry to the Bond theme collection.
'GoldenEye' (Tina Turner)
Sinuous and slightly sensual, Turner's voice is a perfect match for the song written by Bono & The Edge from U2, providing not only a fantastic opening to the new chapter of the Bond franchise- but a fantastic opening to Tina's concerts too!
LEAST FAVOURITE SONGS
'The Man With The Golden Gun' (Lulu)
Lulu blares it out and even the innuendo-laden lyrics are grating and lacking in any kind of charm. Plus this is the worst kind of earworm which just nests in your head and won't go, no matter how many times you sing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to try and dislodge it.
'For Your Eyes Only' (Sheena Easton)
To think that this song was nominated for an Oscar is an affront to good music. Weak, whiny and bland- and that's as much to do with the lyrics as the way they're sung. A shame that such a good film is laden with such a bad theme.
'All Time High' (Rita Coolidge)
Much like 'For Your Eyes Only', I find this an insipid, weak dirge. Bond themes should grab you by the throat, not timidly tap you on the shoulder like this one does. Even a surprise rendition of it in Ted (by Mark Wahlberg) does nothing to redeem it.
'Die Another Day' (Madonna)
Utter tripe. Disposable pop nonsense. Haven't got much else to say about it. Awful, awful, awful.
'Another Way To Die' (Jack White & Alicia Keys)
It's not a bad song per se and it kind of grows on you but it doesn't really fit with the film. There's something slightly discordant about it as well which doesn't quite sit right as a song in its own right either. -------------- So those are my choices, my opinion on my favourite and least favourite Bond themes. Feel free to agree or disagree and let me know your favourites and least favourites in the comments below. Tez (PS. Rhys will share his choices of his favourite and least favourite Bond themes on the week that the new Bond theme is released.)
