As I've got older, I've become much more interested in Bond as a tragic figure rather than any kind of hero . With that in mind, the magnificent Diamonds Are Forever is, for me , the theme song that captures the underlying isolation of the character better than any other . Sadly, nothing in the eighties comes close, although The Living Daylights has an interesting ethereal quality I rather like. Of course, dance music can be heartbreaking as well as euphoric, but it's the ballad that's ultimately better suited to getting under the character's skin.
The producers (and John Barry) shared your opinion Paul 😁 Dame Shirley is the top, no doubt about that. Thanks for reading & reacting. Have a great weekend!
Great read! So well-written. I learned a lot too since this side of ‘80s music is one I’m less familiar with. Anyway: justice for Madonna’s “Die Another Day”! Deeply underrated Madonna song.
Big Bond theme guy. Got the CD through Duran, Duran. Der der der der der der der der der Goldfinger Der Der Der... hooked me young. But the best is Satchmo "We Have all the time in the world" chilling as he was so close to the end but perfect as ever. Another banger! I'll listen when I get a minute but wanted to give you some due props. Ah-ha holds up better than most. California Dreams is in Chapter 2 prequel to Lost in Austin. got the green light for Mack the Knife for Feb 15th Big Band gig so staying busy and growing. Music is the only escape left.
I agree that Satchmo is one of the very best. The whole soundtrack is Barry at his peak, and even the film has been rehabilitated since. Lazenby was (and is) better than Moore in every respect.
Researching this piece also sent me down a rabbit hole with the other theme songs. Satchmo was Barry’s choice, and it was the first soundtrack where he used an American orchestra. They nailed it in just a few takes, even though Armstrong was already seriously ill — he passed not long after. Apparently Blood, Sweat & Tears were also in contention for that theme.
Thanks for reading and reacting, Steve. Have a great weekend!
Interesting post Pe! I've actually only seen a few Bond films. I've always been aware of the songs that became hits though. "A View to a Kill" and "Nobody Does it Better" are my favorites. I liked "For Your Eyes Only" at the time it was released because Sheena Easton was the "it" singer of the moment. I REALLY disliked Madonna's "Die Another Day." Most of the rest of the Bond songs haven't really resonated with me. Even though I'm a fan of A-ha, I feel I don't know their contribution at all. I don't think it hit the charts here. Cool song though.
You’re right, Dan — The Living Daylights didn’t chart in the US. I suspect it had to do with their relationship with Warner US, which was pretty strained by then.
Funny that you dislike the Madonna theme — most Bond fans seem to, actually. I quite like it (especially the twelve-inch), though I agree it’s not a typical Bond track.
Thanks for reading and reacting, Dan. Have a great weekend!
Great post! I hope you get your replacement microphone soon. It's definitely a "he". I agree 😊
I like A-ha and have "Hunting High and Low" on vibyl but I don't think I knew this song or its Bond connection. Thanks so much for the deep dive! I loved your cultural and industry analysis. Spot on as usual. Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Andy. Their first three are fantastic albums. I never had them on vinyl—went straight to CD—but I can imagine the dynamics are even better on vinyl. New mic arrives on Monday 😁 Looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reacting. Have a great weekend!
Yes! I got a second-hand early European pressing of Hunting High and Low at a record fair in Hannover and it sounds phenomenal. Glad your new mic arrives on Monday! 🙌🏻 Happy weekend!
As a Bond fan, I have always loved the music. The evolution of the theme songs was slow, but it ultimately achieved satisfaction for many. While I favored Bassey, I enjoyed all the other artists as well. Thank you for another excellent read.
I agree, Marta — there really isn’t a bad Bond theme. The music is one of the true highlights of the series. Pick any era and the soundtrack is outstanding. The only real exception might be Eric Serra’s GoldenEye… but even the producers didn’t like it, so he was gone after one film 😁
And Dame Shirley is the undisputed queen of Bond themes — Goldfinger is still the benchmark. I read during my research that Harry Salzman originally hated it! Great film producer, probably not the best music producer 😉
Anyway, thanks for reading and reacting, Marta. Have a great weekend!
As I've got older, I've become much more interested in Bond as a tragic figure rather than any kind of hero . With that in mind, the magnificent Diamonds Are Forever is, for me , the theme song that captures the underlying isolation of the character better than any other . Sadly, nothing in the eighties comes close, although The Living Daylights has an interesting ethereal quality I rather like. Of course, dance music can be heartbreaking as well as euphoric, but it's the ballad that's ultimately better suited to getting under the character's skin.
The producers (and John Barry) shared your opinion Paul 😁 Dame Shirley is the top, no doubt about that. Thanks for reading & reacting. Have a great weekend!
Great read! So well-written. I learned a lot too since this side of ‘80s music is one I’m less familiar with. Anyway: justice for Madonna’s “Die Another Day”! Deeply underrated Madonna song.
Thanks Max. Much appreciated! Thanks for reading & reacting. Have a great weekend!
Big Bond theme guy. Got the CD through Duran, Duran. Der der der der der der der der der Goldfinger Der Der Der... hooked me young. But the best is Satchmo "We Have all the time in the world" chilling as he was so close to the end but perfect as ever. Another banger! I'll listen when I get a minute but wanted to give you some due props. Ah-ha holds up better than most. California Dreams is in Chapter 2 prequel to Lost in Austin. got the green light for Mack the Knife for Feb 15th Big Band gig so staying busy and growing. Music is the only escape left.
I agree that Satchmo is one of the very best. The whole soundtrack is Barry at his peak, and even the film has been rehabilitated since. Lazenby was (and is) better than Moore in every respect.
Researching this piece also sent me down a rabbit hole with the other theme songs. Satchmo was Barry’s choice, and it was the first soundtrack where he used an American orchestra. They nailed it in just a few takes, even though Armstrong was already seriously ill — he passed not long after. Apparently Blood, Sweat & Tears were also in contention for that theme.
Thanks for reading and reacting, Steve. Have a great weekend!
Interesting post Pe! I've actually only seen a few Bond films. I've always been aware of the songs that became hits though. "A View to a Kill" and "Nobody Does it Better" are my favorites. I liked "For Your Eyes Only" at the time it was released because Sheena Easton was the "it" singer of the moment. I REALLY disliked Madonna's "Die Another Day." Most of the rest of the Bond songs haven't really resonated with me. Even though I'm a fan of A-ha, I feel I don't know their contribution at all. I don't think it hit the charts here. Cool song though.
You’re right, Dan — The Living Daylights didn’t chart in the US. I suspect it had to do with their relationship with Warner US, which was pretty strained by then.
Funny that you dislike the Madonna theme — most Bond fans seem to, actually. I quite like it (especially the twelve-inch), though I agree it’s not a typical Bond track.
Thanks for reading and reacting, Dan. Have a great weekend!
I think I'd grown tired of what Madonna was attempting to do during the era of that movie/song. It felt like she was trying too hard to stay relevant.
Anyway, enjoy your weekend too!
Great post! I hope you get your replacement microphone soon. It's definitely a "he". I agree 😊
I like A-ha and have "Hunting High and Low" on vibyl but I don't think I knew this song or its Bond connection. Thanks so much for the deep dive! I loved your cultural and industry analysis. Spot on as usual. Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Andy. Their first three are fantastic albums. I never had them on vinyl—went straight to CD—but I can imagine the dynamics are even better on vinyl. New mic arrives on Monday 😁 Looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reacting. Have a great weekend!
Yes! I got a second-hand early European pressing of Hunting High and Low at a record fair in Hannover and it sounds phenomenal. Glad your new mic arrives on Monday! 🙌🏻 Happy weekend!
As a Bond fan, I have always loved the music. The evolution of the theme songs was slow, but it ultimately achieved satisfaction for many. While I favored Bassey, I enjoyed all the other artists as well. Thank you for another excellent read.
I agree, Marta — there really isn’t a bad Bond theme. The music is one of the true highlights of the series. Pick any era and the soundtrack is outstanding. The only real exception might be Eric Serra’s GoldenEye… but even the producers didn’t like it, so he was gone after one film 😁
And Dame Shirley is the undisputed queen of Bond themes — Goldfinger is still the benchmark. I read during my research that Harry Salzman originally hated it! Great film producer, probably not the best music producer 😉
Anyway, thanks for reading and reacting, Marta. Have a great weekend!
Likewise❤️!
P.S. Hope your mic arrives early!😊
He will be delivered on Monday! 😁😁😁
I probably only watched the Bond movies for the music 😂 I loved both the Duran Duran and A-Ha theme songs!
😁😁 Thanks Kristin. Have a great weekend