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Comments
I'll vote for WHATTITW...while acknowledging the lyricist did not need to make up quotes about or rhymes for a nonsensical movie title, but was allowed to write straightforward lyrics.
Interesting! I love YOLT the song but I wonder if it's the orchestration that accompanies the lyrics or if it's the lyrics. Your post has given me some pause.
Pure brilliance
I'm glad to see the voting become more varied now. On the question of "lyrics or orchestration" for YOLT: on a truly great song, both are working in sync. I'd submit that this is why many of us do love this song so much -- the sum of the parts is better than either considered alone.
It's a hard choice between DAF and NDIB. Both are cheeky, funny songs disguised as ballads. As a song, I would choose Carly Simon's effort. It's way more catchy for me. But DAF has those unshameful, racy sexual overtones that coupled with Shirley Bassey's outrageously corny, fake-orgasmic performance make for an awesome theme. It's a good introduction to the wackiness to follow.
Don Black gets my vote.
I feel like a song like WHATTITW, while good, is an easier song to write, because there are less limitations to push clever lyric writing. The one thing it does do, is to lay the foundation of irony to help create a more emotional ending, despite however obvious it may be to a first time viewer.
YOLT is by far the worst of the bunch. One life for yourself and one for your dreams? ...
As DRP spokesbird it is my duty to point out
as just a handful of the cornucopia of linguistic delights this song has to offer. Indeed comparisons with Shakespeare are littered throughout the many academic articles we have written on the subject.
Why the academy is even bothering voting on this subject when then Bondie should have just been given to AVTAK by default is frankly beyond us.
I must be in a minority of one who finds that song utterly grating.
I think it's more to do with how Le Bon 'sings' it....
The lyrics are pretty meaningless....
I shall immediately send the dear parrot a lovely lapel pin to remind him why I am called the dove! Effective immediately his licence to vote has been revoked. For we are not a country club but an esteemed academy. ;)
I apologize for this public feud between feathered friends! :) I shall return you to the voting!
A Bondian classic.
“If that’s all we have
You will find we need nothing more
Every step of the way will find us
With the cares of the world far behind us”
It’s not concerned with the flowery language writers so often use to describe love. Hal instead goes for a direct, unadorned wording, more clear and concise, right to the heart, which gives it a timeless, universal appeal.
Beautiful song, beautifully sung by Louis.
We Have All The Time In The World : too much repetitiveness : lazy writting.
Diamonds Are Forever : very good lyrics, who makes sens (and double-sens ; far better than YOLT et OHMSS)
Nobody Does It Better : same than DAF.
Yo know my name : seems to lack of clarity (whose name it is ? who is the sing ? Bond ?). I'm not english but the "you yourself" seems wrong, there is other phrases that are obscure.
DAF and Nobody does it, seems by far more elaborate and have lyrics who makes more sens.
I love AVTAK the song, but the lyrics sound like they went through Google Translate to Japanese, then German, then finally back to English.
Repetition in lyrics and music is essential if you want your song to be as memorable as possible. Hence why pop music is often repetitious. Plus I don’t see how the simple, direct, unadorned lyrics of ‘We Have All The Time In The World’ don’t make sense. As I elaborated upon above, the words are so universal, it’s easy for virtually anyone to not just understand but relate to.
Hang on, I get a free gift?? Right, I'll soon put a stop to those bird-brained protesters! AVTAK indeed, the DRP will be the laughing stock of the avian community.
It could be interpreted as M or fate addressing Bond about his new career path.
As for the other nominees, any of which could be a good choice:
YOLT is a great song, but I like the music better than the lyrics, which are fine. But it's one of the least romantic Bond films, so it doesn't fit real well in that sense.
We Have All the Time in the World is also good for its film with strong lyrics.
DAF has long been a favorite and Shirley Bassey was perfect to sing it. Can we all just admit John Barry was a master?
Nobody Does It Better could be considered a quintessential Bond song. Despite this, I've never been real attached to it. The line "Though sometimes I wish someone could" always seems strange. Does that mean the singer knows Bond will eventually leave them?
"You only live twice, or so it seems
One life for yourself, and one for your dreams"
Our dream life often feels like a separate existence. The limitless of the imagination means you really can live twice. But as we will see, some dreams can come true.
'You drift through the years and life seems tame
Till one dream appears and love is its name"
You are dead for much of your normal life, until you stumble upon love. And since love is the only dream that can come true, it is truly a new life.
"And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone"
Carpe Diem. Yes, love can be terrifying and dangerous, but if you ponder that, you will hesitate and lose the stranger who can give you new life.
"This dream is for you, so pay the price
Make one dream come true, you only live twice"
Nothing is free. Anything worthwhile will require effort and sacrifice. To live again you must endure the terror and risks of love. Love is a dream that will come true and bring you new life. You must take it, because it's the only second life you can get.
Excellent assessment. Much better than I could do. My favourite Bond song. The film not so much...