1942 replies to this topic

[PlayItBogart]

I have to side with the "It'd be so much easier to like this song if it 'took off' at some point" crowd. Perhaps the film edit of the song will have that; the single for YKMN was quite different from the version that was featured in the film, and then the music video version held off on going all in until towards the end of the first verse.

 

It's the modern music industry; I'm sure there are studio-sanctioned alternate versions of the song somewhere.

[PPK_19]

Sent the link to the song to my mate who is coming to see Spectre with me. He hadn't heard it before. The first thing he said after listening to it was "nothing happens!". He then said "it's so whingey, but I dunno, maybe it will sound better in the cinema!"

You and me both!

[Robinson]

You almost want this song to run during the end credits as there's literally, no climax.

FWIW, you could have replaced this with Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" and it would have been more rousing.

[Orion]

I know I'm in a vast minority here but I really like the song. I'm enjoying the change of tone - some are calling it 'wimpy', but I think the restrained quality is actually quite a brave artistic choice. The vitriol against it reminds me of the way people talked about Daniel Craig after he was announced. I doubt this will turn opinion around in quite the same was as Craig managed, but I have a feeling time will be kind to it, especially once we've seen/heard it in the context of Spectre. 

Thing is you're not in the vast minority, look at the poll, its only a slight minority. It's just the nature of people that you only make a whole lot of noise when you don't like something.

[RMc2]

A question for everyone who says 'nothing happens'/'there's no climax':

 

Is it something that could be easily 'fixed' by the film's sound mixers? I'm thinking in particular of the way Nobody Does It Better has a truncated-but-awesome synth warp at the end of the credits in the film version.

 

 

 

I only ask because I'm avoiding listening to it until the film's out, so I can experience it the way I experienced all the Bond songs before the internet... but it's fascinating (and frustrating) reading all your reactions to the song! 

[glidrose]

HEY MODS, please create a third poll category for those of us who have made up our minds are somewhere between those two extremes.

It's okay. It's better than I feared but not as good as that fifteen second snippet promised. The opening and the main theme reprise throughout the song is best.
 
It's one part Bond song, one part drippy pop music.
 
If someone wants truly wimpy, they need to listen to FYEO again. All in all, I'd gladly take WOTW over FYEO any day.
 
Among the Daniel Craig Bond songs, I'll put it third, ahead of AWTD.

That an non-vocal version of the song is also being released strongly suggests that it will be used in the main part of the film itself, like in the old days.

[Bond... Raybond]

Please read the entire post. BTW - These are my feelings and how I reacted. I am not attempting to convince anyone else how they should react. You have to decide for yourselves.

 

I'll be honest - I had not heard of Sam Smith prior to his name being linked to the new Bond song. Since other artists were mentioned, I made no effort to seek out his music until he was named as the singer. Only then did I have a listen to some of his songs on YouTube and my heard sunk and I got a sick feeling in my stomach. Really, they picked this guy? Lovely melodies, but his voice was too high for my tastes. I was really worried for the Bond song.

 

I heard the teaser and relaxed a little - a hint of Thunderball and The World Is Not Enough. This could be interesting. All I could do was wait for the 25th September for the final product.

 

Finally, the day arrived. I waited for the song to play on BBC Radio 1. Would I like it? Would it suck? - Please do not suck, I hoped. Some of the title songs I instantly liked (which is most of them), others I had to warm to (AVTAK, YKMN and, yes, even Skyfall). Others I still struggle with (guess? cough, DAD, AWTD, cough) Where would this one sit with me?

 

After the usual radio waffle, the song began. Started well, then the voice came in - I was impressed. Starting in the mid-range (sorry musical vocab is not my strength) it began well. Not too extreme. For the first two minutes I was loving it. Maybe it was just a case of exceeding my expectations. But it continued to get better. So when the higher pitched sections arrived, I felt they were an organic continuation. Loved the 'melodic chorus' before the restatement of the title towards the end. That strings & piano, followed by that little drum motif. Excellent.

 

Initial reaction therefore was pretty good. Disaster averted. Then the search began for an mp3 version began, so I really listen to it (don't worry the CD-single is on order). Found one by the end of the end of the day and listened to it again... and again... and again. With each repeat the song went up in my estimation. I was enjoying it, humming it and trying to imagine it against the main title sequence. It was melancholic and haunting. It fit very well with the vibe I was getting from the trailers and plot points I have been hearing about the film.

 

To me not every Bond song needs to be bombastic and Bassey-esque. I love Goldfinger (who doesn't?), but equally enjoy the lushness of You Only Live Twice or the simplicity of From Russia With Love. I listened to Writing's On The Wall repeatedly over the weekend, and put it with the other Bond title songs in various playlist orders and found it more than held its own - even against You Know My Name or Skyfall.

 

I feel sad that some (many?) seem to hate it. If that is how you genuinely feel, fair enough. Music, like all arts, is completely subjective. Others have their reasons for liking it or disliking it.

 

I won't rush out and buy Smith's back catalogue, but on this one song he has me as a supporter. The only part of the negativity I do not understand is the vitriol and utter hatred that seems to come from some quarters, along with a group think mentality from others. I like to come to my own conclusions in life. Despite previous fears I was willing to give Smith his chance. To my mind, he has produced a great song. I like it and hope others come around to it in the future.

[baerrtt]

According to BBC News it's looking like it's going to become the first Bond song to be No 1 in the charts. Say what you want but I doubt Eon give a stuff for the 'mixed' reaction in light of this evening's news.

[SecretAgentFan]

The "mixed" reaction does not represent the general audience or the buying consumer anyway.

 

Let´s face it: a Bond song cannot please anybody.  Nor can any other piece of music (or art).  Bond songs just get loads of attention.  And lots of people chime in.

 

If you asked as many people what they think of any other artist´s work you would get the same mixed reactions.  Just look at their message boards.  It´s astonshing how much vitriol and hatred can be found uttered by so-called fans.

 

In any event, it´s all great for raising awareness for SPECTRE. 

[Mr_Wint]

Oh, those were the days. When EON were at the top of the game.

[Odd Jobbies]

The "mixed" reaction does not represent the general audience or the buying consumer anyway.

 

Let´s face it: a Bond song cannot please anybody.  Nor can any other piece of music (or art).  Bond songs just get loads of attention.  And lots of people chime in.

 

If you asked as many people what they think of any other artist´s work you would get the same mixed reactions.  Just look at their message boards.  It´s astonshing how much vitriol and hatred can be found uttered by so-called fans.

 

In any event, it´s all great for raising awareness for SPECTRE. 

A good methodology if all you care about are ticket sales.

[DaveBond21]

Well, one confirmed fan of the song is Sam Mendes who told the BBC in July:-

 

"I can say that the song’s been recorded and it’s fantastic and I’m very excited about it..."

 

http://metro.co.uk/2...mendes-5303939/

[Robinson]

Oh, those were the days. When EON were at the top of the game.

Funny you should say that, as TSWLM was widely considered a true comeback film for the series; at that time.

[SecretAgentFan]

 

The "mixed" reaction does not represent the general audience or the buying consumer anyway.

 

Let´s face it: a Bond song cannot please anybody.  Nor can any other piece of music (or art).  Bond songs just get loads of attention.  And lots of people chime in.

 

If you asked as many people what they think of any other artist´s work you would get the same mixed reactions.  Just look at their message boards.  It´s astonshing how much vitriol and hatred can be found uttered by so-called fans.

 

In any event, it´s all great for raising awareness for SPECTRE. 

A good methodology if all you care about are ticket sales.

 

 

Not just that.  It´s really impossible to find a piece of art everybody will consider great for the same reasons.  Or bad.  Everybody has his/her own way of looking at things.  Trying to satisfy everyone is not possible.

[bebel01]

Agreed.

Edited by bebel01, 30 September 2015 - 11:14 AM.

[Jim]

Poll updated.

 

Vote radish.

 

The previous poll sees to have disappeared but for those bothered with such things it was a close victory for "dislike" - fortysomething percent vs fortysomethingless percent for "like".

[Dustin]

Well, one confirmed fan of the song is Sam Mendes who told the BBC in July:-
"I can say that the song’s been recorded and it’s fantastic and I’m very excited about it..."

He couldn't have said it better. EON is surely proud of him.

It's obviously to be expected that Mendes praises the song. But it's perfectly possible this is honest praise. Even our poll - thanks for updating it, Jim! - was a close call up to now. I'm still not 'liking' it per se, but I developed a certain fondness for the tune itself.

Come to think of it...
It's a good thing this poll now includes the other title songs. For some reason I didn't even realise myself that in fact AWTD is still my favourite; wouldn't have thought so myself. YKMN, the obvious choice for the old rock addict inside me, now feels uncomfortable for its on-the-nose willing-to-die lyrics. And Skyfall already feels a little empty with it's retro charm, can't say I'm happy when I hear it in the muzak-mix of a shopping mall. So now WOTW falls somewhere in the middle for me.

[thecasinoroyale]

I'm sure this will hit No1 or No2 in the charts - Sam Smith, regardless of how he is to us Bond loonies, is a bankable name in the music business with millions of fans eager for new material and he seems to be riding a little higher with Adele with chart activity and status so it may get the first top-spot in 53 years.

 

That's a pretty neat achievement to have, I have to say.

[Shrublands]

I'm sure this will hit No1 or No2 in the charts 

 

Oh, I'm certain it will be Number One. WotW currently has double the sales of its closest competitor, Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean?'.

Something very dramatic would need to happen at this stage for it to not top the charts on Friday.

 

No, it will be Number One and by a huge margin.

 

http://www.digitalsp...~ppCWtNcg3SVqhY

[thecasinoroyale]

Well gotta give him credit where credit is due, and getting the first ever Bond #1 in the series history. That's a superb achievement to own.

[sharpshooter]

An interesting note regarding the "Bondness" of this song.  I had it playing on my computer when Mrs. Navy walked into the room.  Now she is by no means a Bond fan, but she has sat through enough of the films to know a thing or two about them.  Her first response when I tried to tell her what the song was, " I know, it's the new Bond song.  You don't have to tell me."  Her second reaction, "Turn that off, I hate Sam Smith!"

I've been giving WOTW a good listening to. The "if I risk it all" and "for you I have to risk it all, because the writing's on the wall" segments are the highlights. That's what makes it 'Bond' - largely due to the orchestration. Although to Smith's credit, he does have his vocals soar appropriately in these sections. Most people are just iffy about the 'how do I breathe' falsetto. But anyway, I think this song can work quite well in the title sequence. I'm actually looking forward to it. I expect to see the gunshot/octopus logo worked in, along with Bond's name written on a wall ala the film. And perhaps flashbacks to CR, QoS and SF during 'a million shards of glass that haunt me from my past'. It would also be neat to see some snow, alluding to the Austria sequences. 

[thecasinoroyale]

^^ Echo that, sharpshooter. Good summary.

[Alex Zamudio]

I like it as a song out of the Bond context, but as a 007 theme; for me it lacks the haunting aspect of other Bond themes of the past, songs and melodies that linger in your mind for a while after a listen. And also I was expecting a powerful middle or end, but the song remained quite the same all throughout, but still I find it a beautiful song. But the best male singer of a bond theme remains Tom Jones in my book (then maybe Chris Cornell and Sir Paul Mccartney tied for close second).

 

 

But it is not the worst 007 song by a long shot!

[Odd Jobbies]

 

 

The "mixed" reaction does not represent the general audience or the buying consumer anyway.

 

Let´s face it: a Bond song cannot please anybody.  Nor can any other piece of music (or art).  Bond songs just get loads of attention.  And lots of people chime in.

 

If you asked as many people what they think of any other artist´s work you would get the same mixed reactions.  Just look at their message boards.  It´s astonshing how much vitriol and hatred can be found uttered by so-called fans.

 

In any event, it´s all great for raising awareness for SPECTRE. 

A good methodology if all you care about are ticket sales.

 

 

Not just that.  It´s really impossible to find a piece of art everybody will consider great for the same reasons.  Or bad.  Everybody has his/her own way of looking at things.  Trying to satisfy everyone is not possible.

 

It's not easy to please everybody, but this song has disgruntled most to some extent. However much i can learn to accept aspects of the song, the falsetto is resoundingly awful. That is something the majority seem to agree upon.

 

It's as tough the song were a duet with a women whom couldn't make it to the recording, so Smith sang her parts as a temporary measure and then decided not to bother re-recording it so they could save cash on Smith's singing partner. I'm not suggesting this is true, but i find it easier to believe than Eon really thinking the falsetto sections were acceptable. Perhaps it was a case of the emperors clothes with a room full of yes men afraid to say it's crap.

[AMC Hornet]

"Splunge!"

[Dustin]

Post of the decade!

[DaveBond21]

Well gotta give him credit where credit is due, and getting the first ever Bond #1 in the series history. That's a superb achievement to own.

 

First UK number one, we should mention.

 

A View to a Kill reached No.1 in the US and Canada.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Mr.Hinx]

 

Well gotta give him credit where credit is due, and getting the first ever Bond #1 in the series history. That's a superb achievement to own.

 

First UK number one, we should mention.

 

A View to a Kill reached No.1 in the US and Canada.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I find it hiliarous that something that reminds me of poodle S*** it actually going to be the number one track on the music chart. People will upvote anything this days.

[tdalton]

It's as tough the song were a duet with a women whom couldn't make it to the recording, so Smith sang her parts as a temporary measure and then decided not to bother re-recording it so they could save cash on Smith's singing partner. I'm not suggesting this is true, but i find it easier to believe than Eon really thinking the falsetto sections were acceptable. Perhaps it was a case of the emperors clothes with a room full of yes men afraid to say it's crap.

Very much agreed.

Having listened to it again, the vocals on this song are just unacceptable. It's shocking that EON would accept a song that features such a poor vocal performance. The falsetto is just cringeworthy and the switching between falsetto and not is often extremely awkward and rather poorly done. When they say that only 20 minutes was spent putting this song together, someone should tell them that it's not something that they should be bragging about.

[blueman]

Hated Skyfall, this is very nice.