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You made your point, twice now.
The latter is a bit nonsense Jason. Apparently "SkyFall" belonged on a piedestal, otherwise it wouldn't do so well at the box office. If you want it or not, the film got high ratings all over the place. Not just from critics, but from the public alike. Check some IMDB polls (And I mean public voting polls, NOT journalist reviews!).
Secondly, now this is happening with the song -the rather negative reviews- people start panicking again. You included. As if now those 'ruthless dictators pretending to be critics' now have the power to destroy "SPECTRE"? Ridiculous. Also bare in mind that for me personally the Bond song is just an aspect of the film. If the song isn't on par, then that doesn't result automatically in a bad film. Such bullocks. There are plenty of good films who, IMO, haven't got a real Bond song at all! Think "From Russia With Love".
In the end also critics and the public judge the overall film! It would be madness to claim that the song has a direct impact on the quality of a film....
The falsetto and Smith's voice (seen a number of complaints that it's not "manly" enough for Bond).
The sentimentality of the song.
The first issue, sure it's unusual for a male singer to do this, but it's something that's growing on me with this song. As for the second - I think this perfectly fits the characterisation of Craig's Bond, which as a concept I like, and I like how this develops over the course of these 4 films. If you don't like that concept, you're bound not to like the song.
I want to feel love, run through my blood
... in falsetto?
Yeah, I guess the days of masculine Bond is over. Now he is suppose to be a whiny lovesick puppy?
Thank goodness we have DC as Bond for this film. No one doubts his machismo bona fides, so he can transcend this sort of lyrical sentimentality. Otherwise this thing would be bordering on a fiasco
That girl above should be considered for the next song. She's done a much better job in a very short time imho.
I'm sorry @GG but I kinda agree that SP is going to be a target. Not so much because SF was arbitrarily place on a pedestal ...SF deserved the accolades for the most part but more because of what SP has to live up to.
I really prefer Bond not to be on top ...the fall can be devastating (just ask Zorin HA!) ...Bond always IMO performed better when rebuilding or the underdog (OHMSS, TPWLM, FYEO, TLD, GE, CR, SF )
But I see what you are saying as well.
When I realized this is almost a quote from one of the most embarrassing scenes of all blockbusters - the romance on Naboo in SW Ep II - I had to laugh out loud.
I am yet undecided on the song, it's got a phenomenal arrangement and some good melodies but lacks a true crescending climax.
As a lifelong James Bond fan I have to say ... I don't want to go back to the soulless void! I for one hope they keep the engaging personal stories and character development after DC tenure. Do we want another Brosnan Era? No matter how good a world domination plot/script could be, it gets tiring after a while ... where you watch the latest bond movie for the stunts! I say leave that to the MI and F&F franchises! Bond has too many talented people involved to just showcase stunts! Runs and Ducks for cover!
That particular part is more of a Smith touch if anything, I was meaning the whole song.
Wow! I approve of this by 9000!
They spent the latest three movies developing Bond's character. From a newbie to vengeful to a broken-down loser and then back to a rookie and an agent. How much more character development and battling inner demons before it gets too silly?
The first 21 Bond movies are certainly not "soulless void" as you call it, and I have been a lifelong Bond-fan, too. But I never wanted Bond to change for every movie. As long as I found the supporting cast, especially the villain and the henchmen, interesting.
When it was announced that he was the one that was going to perform the new song I was interested to find out what kind of Bond song he was going to do.
I was a bit surprised he was chosen as I thought for Spectre we were going to get something a bit like LALD (Mendes and Craigs favourite Bond film).
Pre-release info included classic Bond sound a love song. I’ve listened to the song a few times.
To be honest its pretty good. Its not as strong as Skyfall (a tough act to follow), but the orchestrations are lush and the lyrics I guess are what are going to be some of the themes running through the story of Spectre.
I guess for me and most people the most jarring part of the song is the sudden change to singing in a higher pitch. It throws you out of the song. There are moments were it sounds like there are 3 different voices singing (is this intentional?).
I can imagine that the song is going to play strongest in its shorter main title version with Daniel Klienman’s striking visuals, and at this point I think those who don’t like it in its longer version may warm to it a bit more.
Having said that, the song definitely is a grower. I'm liking it the more I listen to it, and can't wait to see what Daniel Kleinman does with the accompanying title sequence. But the falsetto is just too much, my dog almost shit itself when he heard Sam hit those hit notes. Just take it down an octave or two Sam and it could sound so much better.
Most of my disappointment lies with the fact that that orchestral opening is stellar, I want more of that. Like another four and half minutes of it.
Sam Smith accused of 'ripping off Michael Jackson's Earth Song' as his new Bond theme tune Writing's On The Wall receives a mixed response.
Here's 'Earth Song' for those wanting to compare songs.
Yes, agreed. The vocals are horrible. Too bad, the orhestration is brilliant, and screams 60s Bond. Here is hoping a terrific title sequence can enhance the song, that could change the entire experience in the cinema.
Is that just some collector's attitude, owning each one, regardless of whether or not you enjoy it? Personally, I've never understood sinking money into owning a movie you'll never watch just because of its case or collecting songs you won't listen to, etc.
I came in here to post that we should create a new "Writing's On the Wall Appreciation Thread" so that the 6 of us or whatever that like the song can talk about it in a safe environment ;)
It's a snowball effect, a few people in the very beginning say they don't like the song, more and more people have the same opinion so they get louder and louder because they know they share an opinion with the majority.
I'm disappointed the song is getting a negative reaction, I think it's a great track and his voice is magnificent all the way through. Hope Smith isn't too discouraged reading all the trash.
I have Played Guitar Keyboards Drums Bass for 20 years and have sang my whole life Many who know my taste know I prefer Classic Rock and Progressive rock over the typically bondian sound of artists like Shirley Bassey Nancy Sinatra etc (though Diamonds Are Forever and You Only live twice have crept in my heart and I love them as much as I do say Back in Black by AC Dc different genre's but both are fun) I am acquaintances with people who work in the music field (the best moment was when Geoff Downes Came up to me and said I am so glad your here the last yes tour.. but I digress and am not here to name drop)
To those who love the song I am genuinely happy for you. I need to point out I am not some troll who feels only his opinion is right. I am glad those who enjoy this song. in much the same way I wish people would stop dragging Another Way to Die over the coals. (what can I say I love Another Way to die I have tried to be cool and hate it but that riff is so awesome and as a guitarist I just can't help but love it sorry)
However My feelings are well..... it's a demo that somehow got released. It is. this is a first draft. Sadly no one since January even thought to look at this and go "well maybe we should change some of the lyrics and the orchestration is too plain we should add an instrumental break here or..." so it's what we got. If someone close to production like Marketto or what have you sent this to me in January saying "here is the demo of the new bond theme" I would say cool there is a lot to work with and with a lot of work and production the song could be a bond classic. But no work was done to it... This is the flaw perhaps of modern music in general that everything is "hurry hurry hurry' not time to wait first drafts are fine etc. Giving a slightly different story and explaining my point a bit further about a decade ago Trevor Rabin released 90124 basically a bunch of demos he later worked with yes on 90125 Big Generator Union and Talk. Anyways an early version of yes's biggest hit Owner of a lonely heart is on there and the demo is horrible. Now I love the Yes finished version but the original is crap however Horn White Squire Anderson and Kaye worked the song and reworked it into what we got which is a million times better.
So to sum up Writing on the Wall is a great demo but a horrible finished song.
I find it so difficult to rank the Bond themes (or the films, or anything Bond for that matter). I've got a playlist on my phone with the following rotation (chronologically ranked):
Dr. No Bond Theme
FRWL (Instrumental Opening)
FRWL (Monroe)
FRWL (Eric Winstone Band Cover, so fun)
Goldfinger
YOLT
OHMSS
LALD
NDIB
Goldeneye
Surrender
You Know My Name
Vesper Theme
The Names Bond... James Bond (from Casino Royale, Bond theme that ends the film)
Another Way to Die
No Good About Goodbye
Skyfall
And now Writing's.