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Worst Bond song

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  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    edited September 2013 Posts: 11,189
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Ha, I've got new respect for MR after listening to it at the dentist while having my teeth drilled last year. Suprisingly relaxing.

    TND isn't all that bad but its a crime Surrender wasn't used in the final cut instead.
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    Surrender is a million times better. Also, I want to correct my statement about DAD: it grotesquely resembles music.
  • steven88steven88
    Posts: 21
    AWTD or TND for me. Shame because AWTD starts off brilliantly.
  • SirHenryLeeChaChingSirHenryLeeChaChing
    Posts: 3,494
    May as well update my top 5 worst list-

    1. DAD- NO Madonna, James Bond does NOT NEED TECHNO! The most gutless and soulless music (if you can call techno music) ever created. It's scary to think that she wrote a better song for Austin Powers.

    2. AWTD- I can still take this a lot better in comparison because it's based on rock rather than garbage. It's only when Keys starts wailing the "whoah's" like a wounded animal during the bridge that it gets the total DAD mute treatment the rest of the way.

    3. TND- Shameless Beatles ripoff, and not well done either.

    4. TMWTGG- I can listen to it, but Lulu herself said it best- she sounds like Ethel Merman here.

    5. FRWL/OP- Both have dated terribly, can't decide which one more than the other.

  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    SirHenryLeeChaChing wrote:
    May as well update my top 5 worst list-

    1. DAD- NO Madonna, James Bond does NOT NEED TECHNO! The most gutless and soulless music (if you can call techno music) ever created. It's scary to think that she wrote a better song for Austin Powers.

    2. AWTD- I can still take this a lot better in comparison because it's based on rock rather than garbage. It's only when Keys starts wailing the "whoah's" like a wounded animal during the bridge that it gets the total DAD mute treatment the rest of the way.

    3. TND- Shameless Beatles ripoff, and not well done either.

    4. TMWTGG- I can listen to it, but Lulu herself said it best- she sounds like Ethel Merman here.

    5. FRWL/OP- Both have dated terribly, can't decide which one more than the other.

    I don't mind FRWL. It's got a certain nostalgic charm, and Munro sings it well. OP, OTOH, bores me stiff. It's not obnoxious, merely anodyne.

  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    SirHenryLeeChaChing wrote:
    May as well update my top 5 worst list-

    1. DAD- NO Madonna, James Bond does NOT NEED TECHNO! The most gutless and soulless music (if you can call techno music) ever created. It's scary to think that she wrote a better song for Austin Powers.

    2. AWTD- I can still take this a lot better in comparison because it's based on rock rather than garbage. It's only when Keys starts wailing the "whoah's" like a wounded animal during the bridge that it gets the total DAD mute treatment the rest of the way.

    3. TND- Shameless Beatles ripoff, and not well done either.

    4. TMWTGG- I can listen to it, but Lulu herself said it best- she sounds like Ethel Merman here.

    5. FRWL/OP- Both have dated terribly, can't decide which one more than the other.

    I don't mind FRWL. It's got a certain nostalgic charm, and Munro sings it well. OP, OTOH, bores me stiff. It's not obnoxious, merely anodyne.

    I like FRWL but its certainly very "60s". The sort of song thats on a "Best of the soothing 60s" album that your dad owns.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    4EverBonded wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!

    If you watch the 'Bonds Greatest Hits' doc on YouTube John Barry describes how she never managed to nail every aspect of it in one take so they had to stitch the final version together from various different takes. To be fair to Nancy in the same clip she says she did the best she could and you can see she's sincere.
  • Zorin61Zorin61
    edited September 2013 Posts: 418
    4EverBonded wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    4EverBonded wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!

    If you watch the 'Bonds Greatest Hits' doc on YouTube John Barry describes how she never managed to nail every aspect of it in one take so they had to stitch the final version together from various different takes. To be fair to Nancy in the same clip she says she did the best she could and you can see she's sincere.

    Apparently John Barry wanted Aretha Franklin to perform the song, but the producers insisted that he used Nancy, who was enjoying great popularity around this time with her huge hit 'These Boots Are Made for Walking'. 'You Only Live Twice' was recorded with a 60 piece orchestra, and i remember seeing an interview with Nancy Sinatra where she said that she was so nervous at the time, that it took around 30 takes to acquire enough material for the complete song, where Barry edited the song together out of around 25 takes.

    A singer named Julie Rogers recorded the title song for the film originally, but it doesnt sound anything like the eventual Bond song. Julie does have a very powerful Bassey type voice, but i much prefer Nancy's version with Barry's beautiful haunting strings..Personally, 'You Only Live Twice' is my most played Bond song, i love it..always have, always will.

    Julie Rogers version of 'You Only Live Twice' is available on Youtube..
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    Doubt opinion has changed much since a last review six months ago now, but whatever was said before, have to go again with the absolutely awful Keys and White from QOS, then not far behind, Madonna with Die Another Day, then perhaps Carly Simon with TSWLM. In fourth position, For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton and then say fifth place, Skyfall from the most recent release

    There's probably not much change from before, but I feel the absolute horror of QOS may stay undisturbed at the top of the 'worst Bond theme' category, for some time to come. Seriously, during a watch (which isn't often), I just fast forward through the opening credits or simply turn off audio. Too much to tolerate in all honesty
  • ShorelineShoreline
    Posts: 251
    DarthDimi wrote:
    I can easily give DAD a pass when compared to AWTD. This is handsdown the worst theme song in any of the Bonds.
    Yep, DAD is now the second worst, AWTD is such a train wreck it's hard to actually believe.
    It's the very worst, by a long long way!

  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Shoreline wrote:
    DarthDimi wrote:
    I can easily give DAD a pass when compared to AWTD. This is handsdown the worst theme song in any of the Bonds.
    Yep, DAD is now the second worst, AWTD is such a train wreck it's hard to actually believe.
    It's the very worst, by a long long way!

    So there is hope for you after all Shoreline!
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Zorin61 wrote:
    4EverBonded wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    4EverBonded wrote:
    Perilagu_Khan wrote:
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    AWTD, easily. At least DAD, though ever so slightly, resembles music. DAD, TMWTGG, MR, TND, and ATH are all worthy contenders.

    Will never understand how anyone can even dislike YOLT.

    Well said. There's little about AWTD that reminds one of music. YOLT, OTOH, is gorgeous, even if Nancy only just pulls it off.

    Well said about Nancy; I think that describes her singing well. Just makes it. Like she had to strain past her natural limited vocal range, or practice a zillion times. I'd really love to hear another singer sing this song - the song itself is so lovely, beautiful arrangement, haunting and fit the film so well. Does anyone know if there is another cover version of YOLT by a good singer ? I'd sincerely like to hear it. Thanks!

    If you watch the 'Bonds Greatest Hits' doc on YouTube John Barry describes how she never managed to nail every aspect of it in one take so they had to stitch the final version together from various different takes. To be fair to Nancy in the same clip she says she did the best she could and you can see she's sincere.

    Apparently John Barry wanted Aretha Franklin to perform the song, but the producers insisted that he used Nancy, who was enjoying great popularity around this time with her huge hit 'These Boots Are Made for Walking'. 'You Only Live Twice' was recorded with a 60 piece orchestra, and i remember seeing an interview with Nancy Sinatra where she said that she was so nervous at the time, that it took around 30 takes to acquire enough material for the complete song, where Barry edited the song together out of around 25 takes.

    A singer named Julie Rogers recorded the title song for the film originally, but it doesnt sound anything like the eventual Bond song. Julie does have a very powerful Bassey type voice, but i much prefer Nancy's version with Barry's beautiful haunting strings..Personally, 'You Only Live Twice' is my most played Bond song, i love it..always have, always will.

    Julie Rogers version of 'You Only Live Twice' is available on Youtube..

    Good grief, I can't imagine Franklin singing YOLT. That would have been dreadful. As bad as Knight singing LTK, a far inferior song to YOLT, I hasten to add.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Baltimore_007 wrote:
    Doubt opinion has changed much since a last review six months ago now, but whatever was said before, have to go again with the absolutely awful Keys and White from QOS, then not far behind, Madonna with Die Another Day, then perhaps Carly Simon with TSWLM. In fourth position, For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton and then say fifth place, Skyfall from the most recent release

    There's probably not much change from before, but I feel the absolute horror of QOS may stay undisturbed at the top of the 'worst Bond theme' category, for some time to come. Seriously, during a watch (which isn't often), I just fast forward through the opening credits or simply turn off audio. Too much to tolerate in all honesty

    One of my cardinal rules of Bond viewing is to never FF or mute anything. But during QOS' PTS I am SORELY tempted to violate that rule by stabbing the mute button. To listen to that "song" is to suffer grievously indeed.

  • SirHenryLeeChaChingSirHenryLeeChaChing
    Posts: 3,494
    I'll take rock over techno any day, as I've said.
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    I turn off audio to not only QOS (theme intro) but also Die Another Day, The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only. Number three may be seen as blasphemy to some, but I genuinely can't listen to the Simon soundtrack. Even Goldfinger can be an awkward listen often enough. Too high-pitched for some
  • forgotmyusernameforgotmyusername
    Posts: 2,782
    One clear winner for me....the man with the golden gun...and close second the living daylights...the great man himself, Barry, dissed them at every opportunity.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    I think that Die Another Day by Madonna would get my vote as it wasn't really appropriate for a James Bond film. "Sigmund Freud analyse this" indeed! 8-|
  • WillyGaloreWillyGalore
    Posts: 6,396
    My worst Bond songs are DAD, AWTD, TMWTGG and probably the one I hate most - TND.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    WillyGalore wrote:
    My worst Bond songs are DAD, AWTD, TMWTGG and probably the one I hate most - TND.

    I think AWTD and TMWTGG are very similar, but I like them both, even if they are composed wholly of doggerel.
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    Lulu's voice in TMWTGG sounds like Minnie Driver crossed with nails on a blackboard. There, I said it.
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    You know, I just listened to ATH and outside of the film it's beautiful. Even though it's very clearly a ripoff of the outro to Layla haha. But as a Bond theme it's one of the worst, it just doesn't work at all. Easily as inappropriate as techno.
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    Posts: 7,314
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    You know, I just listened to ATH and outside of the film it's beautiful. Even though it's very clearly a ripoff of the outro to Layla haha. But as a Bond theme it's one of the worst, it just doesn't work at all. Easily as inappropriate as techno.
    I'd never noticed that before. I can hear some similarities between the two.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    The Experience of Love.
    It is like Serra is vomiting in my ears.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    Thunderfinger wrote:
    The Experience of Love.
    It is like Serra is vomiting in my ears.

    Another good choice for worst Bond song of all time. I concur.
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    That's the end credits song for GE, right? Technically doesn't count since it was supposed to be used on the soundtrack for Leon.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,281
    StirredNotShaken wrote:
    That's the end credits song for GE, right? Technically doesn't count since it was supposed to be used on the soundtrack for Leon.

    Yes, that's the one, though I never knew that interesting factoid.
  • Perilagu_KhanPerilagu_Khan
    Posts: 2,483
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Thunderfinger wrote:
    The Experience of Love.
    It is like Serra is vomiting in my ears.

    Another good choice for worst Bond song of all time. I concur.

    Heh. Oddly enough, I kind of like this one. I've never heard another soul say a good word about it, though. 'Tis a lonely lot.



    :(
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