Friday Jukebox, James Bond Edition
This is the new James Bond song, “Skyfall,” by Adele, just released to the public today at 0:07, London time:
Some of my favorite other James Bond theme music follows the jump:
“A View To A Kill”:
“Goldfinger”:
“Nobody Does It Better” (from The Spy Who Loved Me):
“The World Is Not Enough”:
The most fun music in the Bond movies, of course, can only be John Barry’s iconic “007 Theme,” which timelessly embodies the suspenseful, fun, sexy, jazzy, and in-your-face ethos of the character:
So here’s the Brian Setzer Orchestra doing that same fine piece of music, at a Christmas show, because, hey, why not?
I’m not including “Live and Let Die” because frankly, I find it more than a bit tedious. It’s far from Sir Paul’s best work either with or without Lennon, and it’s not the best contribution to the Bond film franchise. Sorry if you like it, but that’s my opinion. Got an issue with that? Think I should have found some other ones instead? That’s what comments are for!
Perfect timing! I just told myself that I need to have a Bond marathon because I have never seen any of them.Report
Might I be so bold as to suggest a refreshing cocktail to go along with your movies, Miss Mary?Report
I like the way you think, Mr. Likko.Report
Watch Thunderball and From Russia, With Love firstReport
Yes sir. Burt for booze, Pat for movies. I ain’t no dummy.Report
I’m not going to listen to her song. I am just going to hum the theme to Thunderball and insert Skyfall for Thunderball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8DbPSXzvxgReport
It’s my theory that the John Barry music was the primary reason for the success (and subsequent longevity) of the Bond series.
The music was epic, portentous, mysterious, compelling, and awesome. And they totally set the tone of the series.Report
I second the comment on perfect timing. I just heard the new Bond song was out and was going to google it and you deliver it on a plate…. Gracias.
I like it, but must admit a strange thought. I had been thinking that the perfect person to perform the next Bond song was Amy Winehouse. She just had such a cool and smoky 60s vibe. After hearing her final album, the Bond producers chose well with Adelle.
I also am a fan of Live and Let Die, though I find the song so amoral it always strikes me as chilling. Its kind of like the ultimate FU song.Report
Wow! I had forgotten Duran Duran made a Bond song.
Goldfinger still sounds awesome. I would also add the original Casino Royalle to my list of favorites Bond songs.Report
For Your Eyes Only is the only addition I would put on your list.
I don’t think I’m liking the Skyfall theme, because it *does* follow the same pattern as Goldfinger.Report
I like that one too, but I already had an eighties song on the list. And all the other ones have female vocalists.
Any thoughts on the Craig-era songs — the Chris Cornell one from the newer Casino Royale and the Jack White/Alicia Keyes song from Quantum of Solace? I didn’t like the Cornell song a ton, and White/Keyes was at about the same level as the Sheena Easton, Madonna, and Rita Coolidge.Report
I had to youtube each because I didn’t remember them (which tells you something), but after the tubin’ my opinion matches up with yours.Report
Oi, Nobody Does it Better makes me cry like an infant every time I hear it. Didn’t pay close enough attention when I was clicking down the list. *sniff*Report
I’ve not only seen every Bond film ever made (multiple times), I’m old enough to argue the merits of my preference for Connery over Moore over Brosnan over Dalton over Lazenby. (More or less in that order.)
That said, whatever wishy-washiness I might have ever felt about any Bond not Connery, I am totally on board with the Bond franchise’s evolution with Daniel Craig.
Totally. On Board.
Adele melds into the Bond evolution with … dare I say it, a most succulent artistry.
My kids–especially my son–really dig the Craig flicks.
Perhaps one day they’ll appreciate the earlier Bond stuff, but for now it’s all dismissively filed under “Old Stuff Mom Likes” and/or “Tell me again, who is Sean Connery?”Report
A map to some of the Bond locations over the past 50 years:
http://curbed.com/archives/2012/10/05/on-james-bonds-50th-anniversary-the-best-locations.phpReport