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And no, I still don't like the song.
A more memorable tune? It's not the style or Smith's voice that bothers me - it's the lack of anything about the melody that grabs me.
This is definitely not a classic Bond song. But hey, we've had a lot worse.
Pitty. I wasn't sold on him ever but I was sure he would produce something that would click with me given the circumstances. Oh well. There's always Bond 25.
It's different alright. But is it any good?
I understand your reasoning perfectly @RC7. "Writing's On The Wall" isn't the typical, safe Bond song. "SkyFall" in that sense was way more 'typical'. Regarding his voice, that is actually not even the problem I have with the song (the fact that it's a 'grower' initially irritated me a bit). I actually think Sam Smith has a crisp, clear voice. He doesn't sing out of tune at all. It's merely a matter of liking his high voice. That's it. If people say he sounds like a male-to-female transsexual is ridiculous, disrespectful and even discriminating. No need to use faul language. Just saying "I like it!" or "I don't like it!" is enough!
Perhaps we should also point out that back in the 1960's every Bond song was more or less........'very new to ears'. "Goldfinger" hit the people with a bang! "You Only Live Twice" was a radical change from "GF" and "TB", in that it was a very slow-tempo, loungy, exotic ballad. Teen-star Nancy Sinatra didn't even like singing it ("I was nervous during the recording!"). Then there was "Nobody Does It Better", which was an equally radical song choice. Until that time Bond songs sounded slightly 'mysterious', something that only belongs to a Bond universe. But "Nobody Does It Better" and even "For Your Eyes Only", though very good romantic songs, didn't sound 'Bond-esque' at all. They were perhaps more suitable to drama films like "On Golden Pond"!
And then there was Madonna's "Die Another Day". Hated by many, but certainly something that we haven't heard before in a Bond film. It was the 'sound of that time'. An extension of the safe and worry-less 1990's. To a lesser extend you could say the same of "Another Way To Die". You know, I firmly dislike the song, but it WAS unique and perhaps one of the most a-melodical, hard-rock entries ever in a Bond film. "AVTAK" and "LALD" sound rather sweet and whimpy next to "AWTD".
I do however think that "Writing's On The Wall" is more 'Bond-esque' than "DAD", "AWTD" and even "YKMN". It's soft, very slow-tempo, has mysterious strings in it, and a chorus that is more romantic. In a way it reminds me of Nancy Sinatra's "You Only Live Twice", Julie Rogers' "You Only Live Twice", Matt Munro's "From Russia With Love" and Rita Coolidge's "All Time High". Songs I really like. They really de-stress me after work. They are loungy, romantic, but mysterious at the same time.
And at the same time it has this typical Sam Smith sound. There's one thing however I disagree with @RC7. I never expected a song like "SkyFall" from Adele. In the weeks leading up to the premiere of that Bond song, I made myself acquinted with Adele's discography. And that was far less 'Bond-esque' and experimental. So "SkyFall" was a more radical change for Adele. And I don't know about how she thinks of the song, but I still think as of today she isn't very comfortable in singing "SkyFall".
Sam Smith however, stays with "Writing's On The Wall" more loyal to his discography so far. And in a way, like Smith already said, the song is also linked to Smith's own experiences in life.
Or are they the same thing?
They are, in this case.
:) battling hashtags
Saved by the copyright.
:P
I reckon this fits in with the mood of the film than you know what.
E.O.N make good calls and bad calls. The one above was a bad call - should have gone with it - but not down with the kids is our Shirley. Let's have Alicia screaming nonesense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=106&v=-OLocm8AVMM
Glad this didn't go through but we got a weak Aha song which was a shame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=83&v=M3anh2SV-7s
Another bad call, this was much better than Sheena's, no?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=58&v=R500VKA9-Zo
And another one.
Clunky Thunderball instead of this smooth silky number.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=34&v=qSxT6mufIyM
Close call this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=36&v=I-AN5mJF13A
As for you know what, I wonder what we've missed with Adele saying no to the gig...she could have been our Shirley, getting better with each film. Would have been good no doubt.
Everything needs to be composed in the round.
Speaking of which, I read that Mendes said there were going to be two or three songs in the movie. Any news on that?
PS If we had not heard the Arnold/Bassey effort and it had been chosen for Spectre, I would have been over the moon. As a benchmark, does anyone prefer SS's effort to the Bassey/Arnold song?
I hate this song. It is a disgrace that it was ever considered for a Bond film.
I agree with those who feel that maybe it is time for Mendes to take his leave from this franchise.
The song is sappy with a bullet.
No words are too strong to describe the awfulness of this horrible piece of music.
Art evokes emotion.
This song belongs on a Sam Smith record but in a Bond film!?
Mendes has lost his mind.
Oh well its only 3 min of the movie.
With luck the song won't appear on the soundtrack, like SF, although in SF's case, I do miss that passably adequate song not being on the soundtrack album.
Very important that mortified Bond fans vent.
It's cathartic!
There I feel better. ~O)
#PrayForTimmer
Pastiche - there lies the road to franchise ruin...
whoa there whoa there, let's rub the sam smith golden trudge from our eyes....
DC coming out of the water in swimming trunks - ummmm.
Ms Fields covered in oil on a bed - ummmmm.
Fingerprint gun - ummmm.
Skull mask - ummmm.
Did you mean pistachios instead surely not pastiche?
I was thinking more of Diamonds Are Forever and Die Another Day than the homages in the more gritty and Fleming-faithful Craig era to be honest.
You betcha I pray for @timmer. I pray that he keeps posting right through the SP opening as I can't wait to read his reactions. Nobody on this site has nailed "Poop on the Wall" better than him.