Title song artist suggestions

Number24 · November 2009

I think there has been many good suggestions for title song artist for the next Bond. Here are some suggestions I've heard (or would like to have heard):

Joss Stone
Duffy
Muse
Pixie Lott
Katie Melua
The Killers

After having a male singer in CR and a male/female duo in QoS, perhaps they should go back to a ballad sung by a woman?
Bond 23 is rumoured to be more traditional, so why not? Or possibly go in the other direction a and use something instrumental?

Pixie Lott caught my eye before she caught my ear. Being an avid FHM reader I eventually read the words next to the pictures and found out she was compared to Duffy and Amy Winehouse, two artists I like and believe have a bondian style.
What do you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNHRUOF0j-8&feature=fvst

Comments? Suggestions? Screams in horror? Please post!

Dan Same · November 2009

Pixie Lott sounds terrific.

She reminds me of Amy Whinehouse, which is not such a bad thing. However, I really would like a rock band to perform the title song. It's been years since we've had a group perform the title song, and the last time we had a proper hard rock band do it was, what, LALD 36 years ago? It's been forever. I think that Red Hot Chili Peppers could do a fantastic job and could take the theme song in a really funky yet rockin' direction.

They would be my first choice. However if the producers do opt for a single performer, then I think that George Michael or Amy Whinehouse could do a wonderful job.

Mr Martini · November 2009

Just some I've heard over the years that sounded good to me.

Sting
U2
Coldplay

I'd like them to give Sting a chance. I think he could do some good things with the song.

Infernorhythm · November 2009

Gavin Rossdale
U2

Jamesbondjr · November 2009

God I would hate it to be Pixie Lott, Joss Stone or Duffy. I find them really irritating.

I would love to see Dame Shirley back to do a song

DaltonFan1 · November 2009

I think Duffy has a great voice but The Killers are a fantastic band and would get my vote any day of the week.

However a good alternative would be Green Day.

Number24 · November 2009

Jamesbondjr wrote:

God I would hate it to be Pixie Lott, Joss Stone or Duffy. I find them really irritating.

I would love to see Dame Shirley back to do a song

And perhaps you also would like to have Barry, Connery, Binder and Ken Adam back? :v
They all did a fantastic job back in the day, but it's time to let the past be the past be teh past and create something fresh, yet in the Bond tradition. It is unlikely that any of the cast and crew from the old days will do anything as good as what they did in the 60's again, one more time is far more likely to tarnish our wonderfull memories from their masterpieces.

But what is it that makes a song a good Bond title song?

In my opinion it is this:

* A good melody that catches the ear
* A good voice that can carry a tune very well
* A hint of something dark, a treath and danger in both lyrics and the instrumentals.
* Some use of brass and/or string is often good
* The song must feel both modern and classic.
* A performer who seemns to fits into the Bond universe is good, including being attractive and cool.
In other words: Beyonce would be better than Susan Boyle. Shallow, but probably true.

Comments?

Moonraker 5 · November 2009

Number24 wrote:

It is unlikely that any of the cast and crew from the old days will do anything as good as what they did in the 60's again, one more time is far more likely to tarnish our wonderfull memories from their masterpieces.

I disagree. Here's a track from the Dame's latest album that's being discussed in the Music forum, called No Good About Goodbye, written and produced by David Arnold:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEAWlUKRHHk

As for Pixie Lott. Eek.

Jarvio · November 2009

My suggestion is always U2, and it's always gonna be U2 until they make the damn song

Napoleon Plural · November 2009

Re Moonraker 5's comments,

I agree, but that ship has sailed. I mean, that really would have hit the spot - and they let it go! Unbelievable. Likewise, Gary Barlow did a great Bond-style song with Rule The World, but almost certainly wouldn't do anything as good if asked to do the next one, just as Hunting High and Low by Aha is better than The Living Daylights, Save a Prayer more Bondian than A View to a Kill (which I like) and just about any Madonna ballad better than Die Another Day.

Moonraker 5 · November 2009

Napoleon Plural wrote:

I agree, but that ship has sailed. I mean, that really would have hit the spot - and they let it go! Unbelievable.

On that one, totally. But crucially, the potential is still there. That song was something fresh and in the Bond tradition, but with a familiar voice. Given the right material, the right song and production, that voice can still work today in 2009 as it did last in 1979. Number24's comment seemed to have an air of "they're all a bit washed up now", but the performer is only as good as the song. I don't think certain artists should be dismissed purely because of their historical contributions.

Sadly, in recent years, we've had dire performers AND songs. All arguably fresh and in the Bond tradition, however.

Number24 · December 2009

Moonraker 5 wrote:

Napoleon Plural wrote:

I agree, but that ship has sailed. I mean, that really would have hit the spot - and they let it go! Unbelievable.

On that one, totally. But crucially, the potential is still there. That song was something fresh and in the Bond tradition, but with a familiar voice. Given the right material, the right song and production, that voice can still work today in 2009 as it did last in 1979. Number24's comment seemed to have an air of "they're all a bit washed up now", but the performer is only as good as the song. I don't think certain artists should be dismissed purely because of their historical contributions.

Sadly, in recent years, we've had dire performers AND songs. All arguably fresh and in the Bond tradition, however.

I have no reason to believe she is less good today, but her earlier Bond songs are classics now and seen through the time past and rosy memories. What they do now will allways be compared to them and compared to them they are bound to loose.

The Bond Vivant · December 2009

May I throw my hat in the ring, and suggest Rob Dougan? Check out Speed Me Towards Death - epic and orchestrally dangerous and soaring...

Jamesbondjr · December 2009

I think Paloma Faith has a voice that would suit a Bond song

Predator · December 2009

Jarvio wrote:

My suggestion is always U2, and it's always gonna be U2 until they make the damn song

Goldeneye is the closest you're going to get I fear. I don't particular think nobo's voice has what it takes tbh.

I have long thought Muse (as has been mentioned above) would be an excellent choice. Now that they are so big, I wonder if the Producers have missed their chance. Nevertheless, their style of grandiose rock seems perfect for Bond.

The Bond Vivant · December 2009

Did anyone hear Straw's take on The World Is Not Enough? Blew Garbage's out of the water.

Jarvio · December 2009

Predator wrote:

Jarvio wrote:

My suggestion is always U2, and it's always gonna be U2 until they make the damn song

Goldeneye is the closest you're going to get I fear. I don't particular think nobo's voice has what it takes tbh.

I have long thought Muse (as has been mentioned above) would be an excellent choice. Now that they are so big, I wonder if the Producers have missed their chance. Nevertheless, their style of grandiose rock seems perfect for Bond.

You may be right about U2. A man can dream though

Muse is a good choice yes. Up there for me.

Another suggestion - even though I don't particulaly like them, 'the last shadow puppets' would do an excellent job at a bond theme as it suits their style anyway

Dan Same · December 2009

Jarvio, I don't particularly like U2 :v as I find them quite boring. :v But I think that a big song from a rock band would be great, and as such, U2 would be a fine choice. Although I would really love it if the Rolling Stones could perform the song. Perhaps the producers can give Mick and Keith a call.

Predator · December 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Jarvio, I don't particularly like U2 :v as I find them quite boring. :v But I think that a big song from a rock band would be great, and as such, U2 would be a fine choice. Although I would really love it if the Rolling Stones could perform the song. Perhaps the producers can give Mick and Keith a call.

I'm not quite sure what Eon could do with the 60-something icons the Glimmer Twins. Not as young and vibrant as they want the series to be ...

The Last Shadow Puppets was an interesting suggestion and certainly have the youth impact, but I wonder whether (musically at least) they fall in the same box as Jack White.

If I were a betting man, I would put some money on a female lead vocalist for B23. Duffy would have my vote (hopefully also with Bernard Butler in tow to assist David Arnold). Something classy and classic.

Verona · December 2009

Someone suggested La Roux on IMDb which I would go crazy for but they might be too electronic. From what I've read, Amy Winehouse already recorded a demo for Quantum of Solace but had her breakdown and couldn't do it in the end. Maybe she'll clean up her act and do Bond 23. She has an awesome voice.

Loeffelholz · December 2009

My far-fetched dream was always Bowie...

But I have to day, Dame Shirley can come back and I'd be thrilled. What a great voice, after all these years. If you're going to throw something out just because it's old, better toss old 007 away. He's pushing fifty years on film...

IMO, good is good. Great is great. And Dame Shirley Bassey still 'has it.' If they're serious about a bit more tradition with 23, perhaps it's time for the ultimate nod to the film roots. We can't have Barry, Connery, Binder or Ken Adam back, as they're either dead, estranged or too old (or a really twisted combination of all of the above). But we can still have this fantastic, iconic voice.

But alas, we probably won't

Perhaps I'm being greedy; I've gotten a solid adaptation of CR that preserves the spirit and intent of the novel---done as an origin story---and a nonstop, gritty action follow-up. Perhaps Eon is temporarily out of surprises...and yes---I think a Shirley Bassey vocal would be a great, huge surprise.

Hope springs eternal.

Dmitri Mishkin · December 2009

I'd vote for

the pixies http://www.myspace.com/pixies (they haven't put out a new song in decades)
Feist http://www.myspace.com/feist (it would be nice to have a solo female artist do a bond theme again)
the sounds http://www.myspace.com/thesounds (they're european, but have a have an american rock edge)
Morrissey http://www.myspace.com/morrissey (he's english, he's old school, and he's got the lungs to belt it out)

Solaris · December 2009

I'm gonna throw Michael Buble in there for a slightly more classic swing theme. his version of Cry me a River already sounds like a Bond theme.

Predator · December 2009

Dmitri Mishkin wrote:

I'd vote for

the pixies http://www.myspace.com/pixies (they haven't put out a new song in decades)
Feist http://www.myspace.com/feist (it would be nice to have a solo female artist do a bond theme again)
the sounds http://www.myspace.com/thesounds (they're european, but have a have an american rock edge)
Morrissey http://www.myspace.com/morrissey (he's english, he's old school, and he's got the lungs to belt it out)

Not sure about any of those tbh. With Arnold, Feist might come up with something memorable I reckon.

But Morrissey and the Pixies? Much as I love them both, they are not appropriate either for the international or the mainstream market.

Dmitri Mishkin · December 2009

On the contrary, both Morrissey and The Pixies are well loved internationally, when the pixies first toured they had a better following with England than in their own country.

Predator · December 2009

Dmitri Mishkin wrote:

On the contrary, both Morrissey and The Pixies are well loved internationally, when the pixies first toured they had a better following with England than in their own country.

Precisely.

ps Have you thought about Europe?

ghost1 · December 2009

I would really enjoy seeing what Kings Of Leon. Europe might be good also maybe Bon Jovi.

Dmitri Mishkin · December 2009

Predator wrote:

Dmitri Mishkin wrote:

On the contrary, both Morrissey and The Pixies are well loved internationally, when the pixies first toured they had a better following with England than in their own country.

Precisely.

ps Have you thought about Europe?

Never.

AdamOmega · December 2009

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And no, not just because they covered "Goldfinger".

Perhaps their distinctive western-y twang would be unfitting, but I'd still love to see them perform an original theme song; even if it ends up next to Alice Cooper's "The Man with the Golden Gun".

spy008 · January 2010

1. The Killers
2. Coldplay
3. Muse
4. The Hives
5. Greenday

Take ur pick, good luck, pretty good choices @ that.

ghost1 · January 2010

I think out of those 5 probably Killers and Muse have the best chance.