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ARTICLE
After guessing the next actor to take on the role, attention usually turns to who will create the music for the next film’s opening credits. For me, as I'm sure for many of you, the music and visuals for the opening sequence are an essential and exciting part of each 007 film; another reason to buy a cinema ticket and enjoy the latest franchise instalment on the big screen.
Over the years, the official ‘Bond songs’ have been performed by an eclectic array of stars from across popular music. Some make total sense (Sam Smith, Tom Jones, Adele, Carly Simon) whilst others have veered into more unusual territory (Duran Duran and Garbage being two examples).
Although, sometimes the more ‘out there' choices have worked too. I personally enjoyed what is perhaps the weirdest and most underrated Bond theme – Jack White and Alicia Keys’ ‘Another Way to Die’ for the Quantum of Solace film.
What the franchise’s most successful songs have in common are strong vocal performances, orchestral elements (such as brass and strings), suspenseful melodies and chord sequences, lyrics that allude to danger, romance and defiance, and musical elements that reference Monty Norman’s original theme.
Of course, we all have our favourites. And we all have our suggestions for artists the producers should have asked (Portishead, anyone?). But in the interest of us all learning something new, I wanted to stray away from the Bond songs that were and focus instead on all those that weren't. The ones that, for better or worse, were never given the licence to thrill….
Thunderball – Johnny Cash
Perhaps in an alternate universe – where James Bond was an outlaw in a Sergio Leone western, knocking back whiskey in smoky saloons and winning shoot-outs with evil sheriffs – this excellent country song might have made the cut. But as great as the lyrics are (deftly telling the story of the film in true Cash style), the sound just wasn’t right for the producers, who were no doubt in search of something much more bombastic and possibly a little less American.
Thunderball’s eventual theme song was performed by Tom Jones, who, legend has it, fainted in the booth whilst holding the track’s final note…
Spectre – Radiohead
Just like Timothy Dalton is arguably the marmite of Bond actors, Radiohead are somewhat of a marmite band. For that reason, you’ll either ...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full interactive access to this and the last year of magazines via the Pro Mobile Magazine App which is available from both the Apple App Store and Android PlayStore
Over the years, the official ‘Bond songs’ have been performed by an eclectic array of stars from across popular music. Some make total sense (Sam Smith, Tom Jones, Adele, Carly Simon) whilst others have veered into more unusual territory (Duran Duran and Garbage being two examples).
Although, sometimes the more ‘out there' choices have worked too. I personally enjoyed what is perhaps the weirdest and most underrated Bond theme – Jack White and Alicia Keys’ ‘Another Way to Die’ for the Quantum of Solace film.
What the franchise’s most successful songs have in common are strong vocal performances, orchestral elements (such as brass and strings), suspenseful melodies and chord sequences, lyrics that allude to danger, romance and defiance, and musical elements that reference Monty Norman’s original theme.
Of course, we all have our favourites. And we all have our suggestions for artists the producers should have asked (Portishead, anyone?). But in the interest of us all learning something new, I wanted to stray away from the Bond songs that were and focus instead on all those that weren't. The ones that, for better or worse, were never given the licence to thrill….
Thunderball – Johnny Cash
Perhaps in an alternate universe – where James Bond was an outlaw in a Sergio Leone western, knocking back whiskey in smoky saloons and winning shoot-outs with evil sheriffs – this excellent country song might have made the cut. But as great as the lyrics are (deftly telling the story of the film in true Cash style), the sound just wasn’t right for the producers, who were no doubt in search of something much more bombastic and possibly a little less American.
Thunderball’s eventual theme song was performed by Tom Jones, who, legend has it, fainted in the booth whilst holding the track’s final note…
Spectre – Radiohead
Just like Timothy Dalton is arguably the marmite of Bond actors, Radiohead are somewhat of a marmite band. For that reason, you’ll either ...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full interactive access to this and the last year of magazines via the Pro Mobile Magazine App which is available from both the Apple App Store and Android PlayStore
The full review can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 127, Pages 32-35.
