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The heady and exciting world of James Bond, one that has built up over these many years, is still palpable and real for those of us who have journeyed with Bond for several decades. We know times are different now, but we remember ... and how lucky we were, we Originals.
I think that all of those earlier films that set the template, exploded Bond globally, and stamped Bond into our culture in so many ways - let's say Dr. No through Moore's era - carry a certain weight for Original fans that simply cannot be exactly replicated for anyone who did not grow up in the sixties or early seventies. We experienced the Bond phenomena as it first happened ... so fresh, different, huge, exciting, and glamorous! Indeed some of us remember more vividly the sixties when Bondmania was at its height. I caught fire with Diamonds Are Forever and never looked back. But others here definitely started before me.
To go see a Bond film and hear the theme song for the first time during that first viewing of the film, in a huge darkened theater, is a sublime experience. I clearly remember the hairs on my neck practically standing on end, literally, over Shirley Bassey singing "Diamonds Are Forever" amidst the glorious opening titles ... how that song built and swirled and the final words just soared! Glorious song, sung seductively then powerfully by the perfect singer, and also a great score by John Barry. =D>
In today's world, it is truly just about impossible to NOT hear the theme song before you see the film in the theater. Because it is everywhere ... more than Quantum or SPECTRE could hope make it so. So that also means that now we do not hear the song for the first time in its fullest, best audio experience (not in the theater; just on radio or computer, etc.) :-< I accept that is the way it is. But I do remember what it felt like in years past ... good memories; a more visceral and fascinating experience that was. Those were the days, indeed.
As I've stated before, I don't mind hearing the theme song first before a released Bond film now because it helps me be excited for the film, builds the mood, and can be fun. I don't mind because it is inevitable and I choose to make it be enjoyable: hearing the song before the film. But if I had a choice, I would go back to not hearing the song at all until that moment when the film starts. And also to not know major plot points or even every location shot, let alone more info. But I accept that is not to be (though I have, miraculously, remained mostly spoiler-free).
It is a different world now, Commander Bond. Believe me, I still love the adventure, the thrill, the intrigue and the elegance. You are still a unique character, and by now you feel like part of my DNA. I'm more than happy to go along for whatever ride you give us, dear James. Because you are one I have loved - in novels, stories, and film - for more than 40 years now. You don't disappoint. Perhaps a theme song, or particular aspects of certain films, may let me down a bit at times. But at the core, you never do.
Roll on, SPECTRE ~ B-)
So I have not yet heard “The Writing‘s on the Wall” …but hey, this is the internet, which means I have every right to express my opinion even if I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about! ;)) And the opinion I’ve formed is this: if part of the point of hiring a Name singer to produce a Bond theme song is to promote the film in question by piquing the audience’s interest in that film when they hear the theme song a month or so in advance of the movie’s release…then as far as I’m concerned, “TWotW” has failed, big time. If I don’t hear the song on the radio in my car on the way to work, how am I going to get excited about seeing the upcoming movie it’s supposed to be promoting? Regardless of whether or not the lyrics express a point of view that we fans feel accurately represents the character of James Bond…regardless of whether or not the singer’s voice fits our opinion of what a Bond theme should sound like, regardless of whether or not the composition sounds like something John Barry would have offered us were he still around and conducting… if marketing decisions narrow the availability of this song to those who are willing to seek it out and pay for the privilege of hearing it in advance of the release of the film itself…then as far as I’m concerned, speaking as someone whose first awareness of the very name of “Goldfinger” came from Shirley Bassey’s voice issuing forth from someone else’s transistor radio as we passed on the street, trumpets blaring and golden words pouring in your ear… we are losing something remarkable, something precious, something that made the Bond phenomenon very special indeed. And what are we left with? The writing’s on the wall…
We do welcome comments from nonOriginals of course, as well as Originals. And it's great to have older fans here as part of our core group. Definitely. :)
I think you are well aware of SirHenry, patb - but let me take a moment to just clarify our thread for other people who may be newer to the forum. With SPECTRE looming (so many punny ways to phrase things these days thanks to the title!), we will be getting many more brand new members, too. Please bear with me as I again explain this thread's origin and purpose:
This thread is named SirHenryLeeChaChing'sForOriginalFans because it was started by one of the best Bond fans ever, and a really great guy, SirHenry (the sorely missed Greg Ferrell, who passed away in Jan 2013). He wanted this thread to be a special place for older "originals" to hang out, chat, and give their thoughts on Bond. He did the rankings for all films using only Originals' scores, so it did give us a way to look at one group of Bond fans (the oldest ones) to see where our thoughts agreed or disagreed, our opinions on anything about Bond. He wanted this to be a special place for older fans, but also welcomed input from all members as long as their comments were relevant, respectful, did NOT contain spoilers, and were thoughtful. So no bashing, no spam, etc. :)>-
Meaty discussions ensued, friendships forged, and the thread became a very valuable source of information on Bond. I think that is a true statement, not just my opinion. For me personally, during SirHenry's time, this thread became golden. A wonderful resource - also filled with humor and real camaraderie. If you look back from the beginning and well before page 100, you will find tons of factual information that SirHenry culled and gave us on each Bond film, plus a huge variety of topics discussed. :>
An Original Fan, by SirHenry's definition, is someone who saw their first Bond film in a theater during its initial run and that Bond in that film was played by Sean Connery. So that right there gives a specific boundary on who would be an official Original. But let me hasten to add, that criteria is there only because when we do rankings on anything, any type of scoring, only the Originals' ranking or score would count. So there could be a consensus of that particular age group. All along the way, however, we definitely want other members to join us in discussion. Anything we discuss, all members are welcome here to join us as long as they realize their scores would not count towards the total. And, also important, as long as they brought some relevant and respectful comments here. Humor a definite plus, too.
More thoughts now on the title song, score, and of course the upcoming trailer (due in about 6 more hours I think) ... anything SPECTRE! Just no spoilers at all, please - not even in spoiler tags. I'll ask a mod to remove them if that happens. But let's do talk - there is plenty to think over and discuss here. And this film will soon be here before we know it! Almost in the blink of a white cat's green eyes ... ;)
What you say about the song is interesting. I've just listened to the link playing Sam's song, sung by him, about 14 times now. There may be different versions (someone kindly mentioned an instrumental version, which I would probably like more). I gave us a link here to one cover and it is nicer. BUT I was assuming the song was also being played on the radio. I am in Asia, away from all other countries radio stations. :-\"
So I have no idea. I'd love someone to tell us. Like as soon as possible, please.
I found that link, to hear Sam singing his song, on the thread with Writings On The Wall in its title. But I do not want to go in there again ... so I'm asking for assistance to get the correct link here, please. Then @Beatles and other folks here may listen to it, if they choose to click on that link. Can someone please post Sam's version here on this thread for me? Without giving any spoilers or background info or anything, just post it, please? I'd genuinely appreciate that.
Since I am avoiding nearly all threads and cannot really even tiptoe into the thread on this particular song anymore (because people very recently are commenting on there about others deliberately spoiling things for them, in that thread!) ... I need assistance to find out when the song will be released in full, regular radio play. Someone on this forum knows that - I don't. There is a date for the release of the score, too; but I do not remember that either.
So I have to throw this open now - Can somebody answer us, please:
1) When is Writings on the Wall going to be played on the radio, regular air play? In the U.S. and U.K. especially.
and
2) When is the score available to purchase?
And if someone could post Sam's version, here, thanks very much for your help with that, too.
Thanks to all. Cheers! :-bd
I fully agree that her version is better, and disagree on the 'it's a man's thought so it should be sung by a man'. We don't expect a narrator of a film, i.e. to be the same sex as the main character either do we. Sam Smith, as a man, is hardly James Bond material, in so many ways I can't begin to count. That isn't bad, it just means he neither is 'Bond'while he sings the lyrics. Which means it doesn't really matter who sings it in the first place.
I've been pondering the 'worst' Bond-song list for quite some time and I feel rather falling short, as I have a couple I like less, but can't really put in order. Basically there's only one 'song'I find so appaling it sure as hell takes the nr. one spot, and that is AWTD. It's so terrible even the pope must have sweared when he first heard it.
there are more I'm not very keen on, All Time High, Moonraker, TMGG. But they still work in their respective ways. Even Madonna's song works for the title sequence (but what Freud has to do with it I can't fathom).
So I'm afraid I can only count to one...
And folks, here is the final SPECTRE trailer, for on our thread, too:
I frickin' LOVE this!!!!!!! So excited about this film! Please feel free to discuss your first impresions and thoughts of the trailer here.
(unfortunately I am tied up with work all day, special event at my school, so I will be offline for about another 10 hours probably). Enjoy! :-bd
Edit - the new trailer. Lots of new footage for us to get our teeth stuck into. Although I guess some wags will complain about the apparent use of CGI - the bit where the wall collapsed etc. Still, looking forward to Spectre, even if the final trailer did not treat us to John Barry and his theme from Majesty's. The month of Spectre is upon us. The countdown now starts in earnest.
I was wondering about that too. I'm very excited for what I see, but at the same time I wonder if they haven't shown too much of th film allready, with such different trailers. Still, that helicopter stunt is one I really look foreward to. Didn't quite know the Bo105 could do a barrel roll. Should've known, they've been extensively used as military recce aircraft, but still it looks phenomenal.
And thanks very much for your thoughts, @delfloria. I know you started even before me with Bond in the theaters - you experienced the full on Bondmania of the sixties. It was such a different experience in so many ways. The world was just not instantly globally connected then, nor was access to info on films so overwhelming. But Bond's influence on culture was huge.
Trailers - I am with you, @delfloria, @CommanderRoss, and @Birdleson regarding teaser trailers showing too much. I do think the final trailer is exciting, yes, @royale65. I did not mind the CGI there and if the film is good (and done mostly with real stunts, which is what I've read!) people should not pick that scene apart. For most films trailers can contain too many spoilers; that is true - for many years now. As a lifelong Bond fan, I want to see the trailer ... yet every time, I am a bit anxious before I press "play" because I don't want huge climatic scenes shown. I have not been strong enough to avoid the trailers, though. For SPECTRE trailers, it has not spoiled much for me. And I was okay with Skyfall's too. But they are not perfect in that regard, no. If I wanted to stay far more unaware I would have been off the forum last Dec. after the title was revealed and certainly after the Sony leaked script. But I am rolling along, doing the best I can. I only watch the trailers 2 or 3 times each, no more. That probably helps me stay fresher for the film when I do finally see it. Good there was not any specific music in this trailer and no huge spoilers (note: if I did not pick up on something, please do NOT tell me!) ;)
@delfloria, your thoughts on that it could be sung by a woman from Madeline's point of view are interesting. I have listened to only one cover (Sofia's, which I posted) and I definitely preferred the song as sung by her. But it's been stated (by Sam S., too) that it is from Bond's perspective. And @CommanderRoss, I note you also think it could be sung by a woman without that being problematic. I wish ... but:
Anyway, there is no turning back now! And SPECTRE will be in your theaters soon (alas, not mine).
Other Originals and all other members, too, please give us your thoughts (with no spoilers) about the trailer, Sam's song, your least favorite Bond theme songs (any or all), and any thoughts you'd like to discuss about SPECTRE. We are near the crest of the rollercoaster now, folks! :D
Then I really have a problem with Sam's version.
Still happy to hear from others, too. :)
I love the Avengers T.V series tho!
Just saw the new music video - and that is an improvement! Thankfully, the song is less grating with the film footage added. Very nice scenes indeed - there seems to be great chemistry between Bond and his women; and the cinematography is a dream com true! Very, very happy with what I have seen of the cinematography. So Sam's song won't be so annoying to me, wrapped up in the film opening titles sequence or as used in the score a bit. Everything else surrounding it will be the stronger factor and that is a huge help. I still feel it definitely should have been sung in a lower key - and I would probably still prefer it sung by a woman (meaning lyrics changed) - but at least it was not so annoying or obviously weak. It is a rather bland song, listened to on its own. I think the refrain will help; it is the only good part of the song for me and can easily feature in the score. I get they wanted a romantic song; I only wish it were a stronger melody throughout and sung differently. But it is good news indeed that the song is far better with the cinematography added. What a relief!
It does contain brief scenes from the film - so if you do NOT want to see any footage from SPECTRE, then please do not watch this.
I did not feel it contained enough spoilers to really spoil anything, that is why I am putting it here. But it does show parts of scenes.
Just watched it again and finally watched Sam more at the end ... and he does appear to have some tears on his cheeks as he finishes.
(Again, I do not think it contains real spoilers, but it does show scenes from the film - so if you do not want to see any scenes from SPECTRE, please do not watch this)
Agree. It was really great going to see the film without much prior knowledge. Most of it gleaned of the fantastic posters (another negative these days) outside. And then after the film checking the poster again picking out details from the film - this was especially true of DAF, LALD and TMWTGG, not great films (although I thought so then!) but great posters.
I was hoewever dissapointed there were so many scens from the film in it (I saw it before I got here), now wondering if I haven't seen too much allready. I won't watch it again nor any trailers. It opens the 29th here, so that should be doable.
Seeing scenes beforehand is such a personal reaction, of course. I don't feel it has been spoiled for me. I think they were a bit restrained, actually and could have really blown it. But I won't be seeing the film until Dec. 6th and I won't be watching the trailers many times before then. I hope you feel it is fresh enough when you see it in the theater.