Here's Smith himself:
"I hope the people aren’t expecting for me to be bringing out a big pop song,” “Because that’s not what I wanted to do here. I wanted to bring out something timelessly classic that works with the project and the film. I’m not writing this for me. It’s not about me, my life…this is a James Bond song.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzlRtEuEQeQ
Joking or not, to quote Bond "I never believe what I read in the press anyway"
I caved and downloaded Spotify just to listen to this. The music is nice but that voice....This is not what I want in a Bond theme. Heck, this doesn't even sound like a Bond theme. How could they give us this after Adele's amazing turn with "Skyfall?"
"Casino Royale" had a great theme and was a great movie. "Quantum of Solace" had a lackluster theme and was a boring, dull film. "Skyfall" had an amazing theme and is my favorite Bond film. Good theme/movie, bad theme/movie, good theme/movie. I hope this won't be a pattern with Craig's Bond films as "SPECTRE" is my most anticipated film of 2015.
But perhaps Mark O'Connell is right, maybe this song will grow on me.
Why didn't they just write a check and get No Good About Goodbye? Now this is a Bond ballad. Listen to this an compare it to Smith's. Shirley's voice is haunting and beautiful and can almost bring one to tears, especially with these memorable lyrics. They even put it over the QOS titles and it actually improves them. Is it just me? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z8OKU48xMw
It's a fantastic song, but even though it wasn't written for QOS it fits with that film musically and lyrically ("no solace in a kiss"). And they couldn't use that theme and not have David Arnold write the score. That would be very insulting to David Arnold to use his song and not his score.
Indeed, certainly not R&B. I don't have problem with Sam Smith's voice, or the feel of the song. My problem is with the actual song. It feels like it's going somewhere but never quite gets there. But it's really close. The biggest problem are the terrible lyrics. The worst Bond songs are still Die Another Day and Another Way to Die. I might rank this above Sheryl Crow's Tomorrow Never Dies.
Actually- the song "No good about goodbye" WAS written for QoS but was rejected in favour of "Another way to die" - you can even hear the riff from the song in the PTS of QoS after Bond dispatches the 2 Alfa Romeos and "Sienna, Italy" appears on the screen!
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
I Good theme/movie, bad theme/movie, good theme/movie. I hope this won't be a pattern with Craig's Bond films as "SPECTRE" is my most anticipated film of 2015.
Unlikely with Mendes at the helm
Look they gambled with this one. Went for Sam Smith - which worked with Adele, but didn't with him.People are now taking ridiculous notions about Mr Smith....
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
I've finally identified the Earth Song likeness - It's the second half of the melody of the verses.
It is too much like it in fact - to the point of causing me to like it less now.
People really should be more specific as to which bits sound like Earth Song when making these claims. Because it is only that 1 bit that does. If told, I would have spotted it straight away. But because nobody specified which bit, it took me a while to spot it. But yes, nearly identical melodies.
The phrasing of Smith's falsetto chorus is also very much like the verses of Earth Song, with the lyrical "what" refrain. All in all, clearly inspired by Earth Song.
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
What would happen to this song if Sam Smith gets a law suit for "sampling" or whatever you want to call it, if he has ripped the Earth song off in some way, before SPECTRE is released!!
I don't like the song as I've stated earlier, but I don't want this film I've been looking forward to so much being possibly delayed in some way.
Its a very good song. For those who didnt't like it, sorry that theres not guitars, drums, electronic beats and reverb in there but this is an R&B song and not a pop song
That is not why people hate it
Its not a R&B song. More like an X Factor song )
It's more soulful than than Another Way to Die, You Know My Name and all of the Brosnan songs.
I don't see enough similarities between the Earth Song and Sam Smith's song to suggest any plagiarism. They both sing in a high pitched voice but that's it.
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
It's more soulful than than Another Way to Die, You Know My Name and all of the Brosnan songs.
I don't see enough similarities between the Earth Song and Sam Smith's song to suggest any plagiarism. They both sing in a high pitched voice but that's it.
There's more than just a high pitched voice in common with this and Earth Song. There are some similar melodic lines and chord progressions, and a similar structure. You're right about the soul, but that doesn't make it R&B, it makes it soul. Call it soul, not R&B. There is a distinction.
It's more soulful than than Another Way to Die, You Know My Name and all of the Brosnan songs.
I don't see enough similarities between the Earth Song and Sam Smith's song to suggest any plagiarism. They both sing in a high pitched voice but that's it.
There's more than just a high pitched voice in common with this and Earth Song. There are some similar melodic lines and chord progressions, and a similar structure. You're right about the soul, but that doesn't make it R&B, it makes it soul. Call it soul, not R&B. There is a distinction.
Yeah, as I said, it's the second melody of the verse - almost identical to the corresponding melody in earth song.
Chord progressions, IMO, are absolutely fine. IMO that doesn't border plagiarism at all, but that melody I mentioned does.
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
Exactly. A drum kit and an upright bass at least. I'm not saying it should have metal drums or a heavy bass line, but a well recorded rhythm track, even if it's vintage inspired, is a must so that the song has punch.
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
The swing era had some of the best rhythm sections ever. To say that the lack of backbeat tries to mimic that era is wrong, IMO. A good rhythm section wouldn't defeat the purpose of the song (if there is a purpose), it would greatly enhance that swing era vibe. As it is, it just sounds unfinished.
As many pointed out, the song is anticlimactic. The intro is very promising, sounding totally like a Connery era song. Then comes the naked piano and Sam Smith's voice, and it builds up, builds up, and when you expect a big rousing chorus, you get again the naked piano and Sam Smith's falsetto...It's like Earth Song indeed, but without the climax.
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
I didn't say Sinatra's music (and I was specifically referring to his work in the Fifties) didn't have rhythm, I said it didn't have a backbeat.
"Writings on the Wall" doesn't have a backbeat, neither did Sinatra's records that he did with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the Fifties. When Linda Ronstadt recorded an album of standards with Nelson Riddle ("What's New") she had problems with the phrasings because she was not used to singing songs that didn't have a beackbeat.
As for the rhythm that Sinatra sang in, he would change it within a single song in order to convey different emotions, although he often used the so-called "Dorsey rhythm" (he broke in with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) with emphasis on the one and three beat as opposed to on the two and four that you have with a song with backbeat.
Go listen to your recordings of "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely" (you do own those recordings, right?) and you might see what I mean.
Just listened to the James Bond Radio duo fawning over the song. I have no idea what they were listening to.
For me the song began with a "meh" and plummeted to "Die Another Day" or "Another Way To Die" depths with the falsetto. With another singer the song would be serviceable, but Smith's vocals make me want to take an ice pick to my eardrums.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
I didn't say Sinatra's music (and I was specifically referring to his work in the Fifties) didn't have rhythm, I said it didn't have a backbeat.
"Writings on the Wall" doesn't have a backbeat, neither did Sinatra's records that he did with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the Fifties. When Linda Ronstadt recorded an album of standards with Nelson Riddle ("What's New") she had problems with the phrasings because she was not used to singing songs that didn't have a beackbeat.
As for the rhythm that Sinatra sang in, he would change it within a single song in order to convey different emotions, although he often used the so-called "Dorsey rhythm" (he broke in with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) with emphasis on the one and three beat as opposed to on the two and four that you have with a song with backbeat.
Go listen to your recordings of "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely" (you do own those recordings, right?) and you might see what I mean.
Those were different kinds of compositions than Writing's on the Wall. They sound compete, whereas Writing's on the Wall does not. Since I mostly listen to jazz and classical music, I listen to little music with a back beat. As someone who studied music and theory for many years, I don't appreciate you insulting my musical knowledge.
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
I didn't say Sinatra's music (and I was specifically referring to his work in the Fifties) didn't have rhythm, I said it didn't have a backbeat.
"Writings on the Wall" doesn't have a backbeat, neither did Sinatra's records that he did with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the Fifties. When Linda Ronstadt recorded an album of standards with Nelson Riddle ("What's New") she had problems with the phrasings because she was not used to singing songs that didn't have a beackbeat.
As for the rhythm that Sinatra sang in, he would change it within a single song in order to convey different emotions, although he often used the so-called "Dorsey rhythm" (he broke in with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) with emphasis on the one and three beat as opposed to on the two and four that you have with a song with backbeat.
Go listen to your recordings of "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely" (you do own those recordings, right?) and you might see what I mean.
Tried to listen to it again, killed it afer about a minute , FFS Eon, stick this sh1te on the end title when everyone is leaving the cinema and use the OHMSS re-do from the trailer for the main theme. Oh and please don't put it on the soundtrack .
Comments
Here's Smith himself:
"I hope the people aren’t expecting for me to be bringing out a big pop song,” “Because that’s not what I wanted to do here. I wanted to bring out something timelessly classic that works with the project and the film. I’m not writing this for me. It’s not about me, my life…this is a James Bond song.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzlRtEuEQeQ
Joking or not, to quote Bond "I never believe what I read in the press anyway"
http://markoconnell.co.uk/breaking-bonds-fall-with-writings-on-the-wall-reviewing-sam-smiths-007-anthem/
facebook.com/catchingbullets
www.markoconnell.co.uk
"Casino Royale" had a great theme and was a great movie. "Quantum of Solace" had a lackluster theme and was a boring, dull film. "Skyfall" had an amazing theme and is my favorite Bond film. Good theme/movie, bad theme/movie, good theme/movie. I hope this won't be a pattern with Craig's Bond films as "SPECTRE" is my most anticipated film of 2015.
But perhaps Mark O'Connell is right, maybe this song will grow on me.
It was not rejected because it wasn't finished in time. See here: https://www.mi6-hq.com/news/index.php?itemid=8079
The strings and brass arrangement is good, pure Bond. But no drums, no bass? OK, they are experimenting. But why should Sam Smith experiment when Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, U2/Tina Turner, etc, didn't? Give the song a fighting chance at least. Hire a great drummer (I suggest Pete Thomas), a bass player and a guitarist, and record a proper rhythm track.
I have no problems with the lyrics though. They might be hinting at the story, which makes me think that the musical anticlimax might be hinting at an anticlimax in the movie itself and they're preparing us.
Unlikely with Mendes at the helm
Look they gambled with this one. Went for Sam Smith - which worked with Adele, but didn't with him.People are now taking ridiculous notions about Mr Smith....
It is too much like it in fact - to the point of causing me to like it less now.
People really should be more specific as to which bits sound like Earth Song when making these claims. Because it is only that 1 bit that does. If told, I would have spotted it straight away. But because nobody specified which bit, it took me a while to spot it. But yes, nearly identical melodies.
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
The lack of a backbeat is intentional. This song is supposed to sound pre-rock and roll. Like something Sinatra would've sung in the early or mid Fifties.
That doesn't necessarily make it good but adding the elements you want would defeat the purpose of the song.
I don't like the song as I've stated earlier, but I don't want this film I've been looking forward to so much being possibly delayed in some way.
"Do you expect me to talk? "No Mister Bond I expect you to die"
It's more soulful than than Another Way to Die, You Know My Name and all of the Brosnan songs.
I don't see enough similarities between the Earth Song and Sam Smith's song to suggest any plagiarism. They both sing in a high pitched voice but that's it.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Sinatra's music just about always had a rhythm section. I can't think of any way to compare this song to Sinatra.
There's more than just a high pitched voice in common with this and Earth Song. There are some similar melodic lines and chord progressions, and a similar structure. You're right about the soul, but that doesn't make it R&B, it makes it soul. Call it soul, not R&B. There is a distinction.
Yeah, as I said, it's the second melody of the verse - almost identical to the corresponding melody in earth song.
Chord progressions, IMO, are absolutely fine. IMO that doesn't border plagiarism at all, but that melody I mentioned does.
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
Exactly. A drum kit and an upright bass at least. I'm not saying it should have metal drums or a heavy bass line, but a well recorded rhythm track, even if it's vintage inspired, is a must so that the song has punch.
The swing era had some of the best rhythm sections ever. To say that the lack of backbeat tries to mimic that era is wrong, IMO. A good rhythm section wouldn't defeat the purpose of the song (if there is a purpose), it would greatly enhance that swing era vibe. As it is, it just sounds unfinished.
I didn't say Sinatra's music (and I was specifically referring to his work in the Fifties) didn't have rhythm, I said it didn't have a backbeat.
Backbeat, also know as the "rock beat" is a specific kind of beat that is used in almost all popular music today. This might help you understand. http://music.stackexchange.com/questions/12223/why-is-the-backbeat-called-the-rock-beat
"Writings on the Wall" doesn't have a backbeat, neither did Sinatra's records that he did with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the Fifties. When Linda Ronstadt recorded an album of standards with Nelson Riddle ("What's New") she had problems with the phrasings because she was not used to singing songs that didn't have a beackbeat.
As for the rhythm that Sinatra sang in, he would change it within a single song in order to convey different emotions, although he often used the so-called "Dorsey rhythm" (he broke in with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) with emphasis on the one and three beat as opposed to on the two and four that you have with a song with backbeat.
Go listen to your recordings of "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely" (you do own those recordings, right?) and you might see what I mean.
For me the song began with a "meh" and plummeted to "Die Another Day" or "Another Way To Die" depths with the falsetto. With another singer the song would be serviceable, but Smith's vocals make me want to take an ice pick to my eardrums.
Those were different kinds of compositions than Writing's on the Wall. They sound compete, whereas Writing's on the Wall does not. Since I mostly listen to jazz and classical music, I listen to little music with a back beat. As someone who studied music and theory for many years, I don't appreciate you insulting my musical knowledge.
Then what's missing is Frank Sinatra.
gramophone.
You lucky B*****D Sir Miles....I can't get the fooking tune out of my head.....Craaaaaap!
Wax cylinder.
Lucky you.
Thanks a bunch...Joss Stone laying across the bonnet of a DB9....sledge hammer on man sausage time!