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Rank Your Top Five James Bond Themes (and Films and Bonds)

119.237.13.177
Posted on July 9, 2017 at 08:14:17
RGA
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 Rank your five favorite themes and fiven favorite films and rank your Bonds

Themes
1) The Spy Who Loved Me (Carly Simon) Nobody Does it better...
2) Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey) Arguably the voice of Bond.
3) Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey)
4) For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton)
5) License to Kill (Gladys Knight)

Films
1) Goldfinger (Connery)
2) Casino Royale (Craig)
3) License to Kill (Dalton)
4) The Spy Who Loved Me (Moore)
5) For Your Eyes Only (Moore)

James Bond

1) Sean Connery
2) Roger Moore (Connery is the best Bond but Moore was my favorite Bond)
3) Timothy Dalton (He was Craig before that sort of Bond was popular)
4) Daniel Craig (intense but seemingly one note)
5) Pierce Brosnan (Kind of a mix between Moore and Connery but didn't hit the mark for me at doing either well.
6) George Lazenby (hopeless - one of the best films in spite of the lead)

 

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It's all comic-book nonsense, posted on July 9, 2017 at 08:23:10
Mike K
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 The Bond books were bad (From Russia with Love was the best), the movies were bad, but some of the music was tolerable.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

But we like it, we like it., posted on July 9, 2017 at 09:37:16
RickeyM
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 When you're introduced to JB as a teenager, certain analytical skills you don't have yet.

 

You heard this you KNEW you were in for some fun..., posted on July 9, 2017 at 10:57:56
musetap
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"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

That said there is only one Bond..., posted on July 9, 2017 at 11:15:12
musetap
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 James Bond.

Those that followed Connery were just that, great as some of them could be.

Goldfinger and YOLT are favorites; FRWL the most accurate adaptation of Fleming and also great.

After that lists change from year to year, decade to decade.

Always enjoyed this farce:







An "audiophile" recording yet!

It's amazing the cultural impact the Bond films had (mostly) in the early years!



"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Only one I really like is "From Russia With Love" the rest are too silly. nt, posted on July 9, 2017 at 13:52:29
3+4=5
 .

 

Yup..., posted on July 9, 2017 at 14:13:38
DeKay
 FRWL was "almost" like reading the novel (for me anyway), and it's my favorite Bond movie as well.

I like a good movie, but I love a good book

For reasons I still don't fully understand my favorite all-time movie is "King of Hearts".

 

Read the books in high school..., posted on July 9, 2017 at 14:36:00
mkuller
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 ...think I've seen all the films.

My faves are Goldfinger and From Russia...

They're all fun.

 

RE: Rank Your Top Five James Bond Themes (and Films and Bonds), posted on July 9, 2017 at 15:41:22
Todd Krieger
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 My favorite "James Bond" song was not actually from a James Bond soundtrack.... But aside from "Goldfinger", it sounds more "James Bond" than any other song I've heard.....

Matt Dusk- "Loaded Gun"........

Some believe the song was intended to be in a James Bond movie. When I looked for a YouTube clip of the song, someone used the opening to "Casino Royale" as the visual background for the song. But it's not the actual opening theme to the movie.

 

I like most of them .., posted on July 9, 2017 at 16:56:01
reelsmith.
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 I like Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig (in no particular order).

I think they all do the part justice, in their own way.

Perhaps because I never read the books.

I'm also not much of a movie critic.

I'm easy to please. Hold my attention, keep me entertained and I'm good.

My favorite is Live and Let Die.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: It's all comic-book nonsense, posted on July 9, 2017 at 17:45:26
RGA
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 I'm sorry but did you read what the thread was supposed to be about?

Not interested to know that people like or don't like 007.

 

As it is tough to remember here are all the themes, posted on July 9, 2017 at 17:49:42
RGA
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 to remind you.

 

Tatiana, posted on July 9, 2017 at 17:50:58
E-Stat
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 the (Italian) "Russian" agent is worth the watch. :)

 

RE: Rank Your Top Five James Bond Themes (and Films and Bonds), posted on July 9, 2017 at 18:05:02
E-Stat
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 Theme: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Film: Thunderball
Bond: The Original

For me, it's all about the music of John Barry (I have six of the early soundtracks most of which on 24/96 and vinyl). His iconic brass signature is everything. I wore out the first vinyl copy of OHMSS purchased at age 12 when the film came out.

Thunderball convinced me to try scuba diving. I became certified at age 15.
OHMSS convinced me to try skiing. My wife and I enjoy doing that to this day. :)

 

RE: Rank Your Top Five James Bond Themes (and Films and Bonds), posted on July 9, 2017 at 18:38:21
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 That's cool. Boys wanted to be James Bond and Girls wanted... James Bond.

Perhaps subconsciously You Only Live Twice made me want to live in Asia. :)

 

YOLT, posted on July 9, 2017 at 19:27:22
E-Stat
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 still beckons me to visit Tokyo!

Aki and her unique convertible Toyota 2000GT. :)

 

DD's "A View To A Kill", posted on July 9, 2017 at 20:05:12
FenderLover
 IIRC, was the only JB theme song to go to #1, in US.

 

Live and let die (theme); that is all. -nt, posted on July 9, 2017 at 20:35:40
Green Lantern
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"You Only Live Twice", posted on July 9, 2017 at 21:31:48
FenderLover

Is my favorite, too. Awesome Toyota 2000GT!





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View YouTube Video


 

RE: "You Only Live Twice", posted on July 9, 2017 at 23:14:34
quad57@sbcglobal.net
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 I have the cd 'You Only Live Twice'. Strings and instrumentation in general sound great.
Check out 'Little Nelly'!

 

RE: Rank Your Top Five James Bond Themes (and Films and Bonds), posted on July 10, 2017 at 05:04:41
BillH
Audiophile

Posts: 3913
Location: Baton Rouge
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 Films:
1)Goldfinger
2)Dr. No
3)You Only Live Twice
4) On Her Majesty's Secret Service (also the best book)
5)Skyfall

Themes:
1) You Only Live Twice
2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service
3) Goldfinger

Bonds:
1) Sean Connery X five

The opening music wasn't really "theme," but it was integral to the Bond brand.

 

This begs for another post, or two -, posted on July 10, 2017 at 09:34:01
M3 lover
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 Rank Your Top Five James Bond Cars/Vehicles . . .

But first, Rank Your Top Five James Bond Femme Fatales! ;^)

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

You beat me to it..., posted on July 10, 2017 at 17:49:01
Neil49
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 with the "rest are too silly" part, but I thought the first movie, Dr. No, was the best.

 

RE: YOLT, posted on July 10, 2017 at 19:37:34
RGA
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Location: Hong Kong
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Great car. Wish more cars today had those wooden steering wheels. Man it is small though - Sean was a tall man and even Leno looks squished in. Definitely not taking it cross country.

I also liked seeing Hong Kong back in the 60s to see how small it all was back then compared to now.

I've only been to Fukuoka, Japan and I loved it. Everything is spotlessly clean. The city has all those bike stands where you just take one bike up the road to the next bike stand drop it off. Clean cars everywhere, Everyone is well dressed. Safe, good food, no litter. Even Burger King was class. Audrey Hepburn posters everywhere - spotless, clean floors, streets, roads. Seeing beautiful women dressed to the nines riding 1950s looking bicycles is jaw dropping.

There are some perks to living in Asia. Petty awesome cars here. Becomes a little boring to see all the Ferrari, Lambos and Bentley lining the streets.

 

Just Like "Star Wars"....... [nt], posted on July 10, 2017 at 20:03:13
Todd Krieger
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Yep, soft violence, and very soft porn, posted on July 11, 2017 at 01:57:38
Timbo in Oz
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 Sometimes the music is okay.

Usually with films based on best seller books, the movies sorta miss the point.

But there isn't ........

;-)

Being in action is MUCH more interesting and a good deal more contingent, being unscripted.


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

Hmmm , posted on July 11, 2017 at 02:05:55
Timbo in Oz
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Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
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 97, 98, 99, 100

change hands!

?

the music, at its best is okay.

but its association kills it, for me.

Making violence pretty ...... ?!

This is important to you?!


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: YOLT, posted on July 11, 2017 at 05:49:57
E-Stat
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 The city has all those bike stands where you just take one bike up the road to the next bike stand drop it off.

I like that ability. Wifey had a business meeting in Chicago in the spring and I went on a multi-day museum tour via bikes.

Becomes a little boring to see all the Ferrari, Lambos and Bentley lining the streets.

Common perhaps, but not boring!

 

Chase scene with the Toyota 2000GT, posted on July 11, 2017 at 07:20:00
FenderLover

Not as good as Bullitt's chase scene (but what is?). Does show the real hero ---- the Chinook CH-47. Still in service.








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With you, at least as far as the theme goes..., posted on July 11, 2017 at 13:33:29
David S.
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 One of the few in which the theme song holds up OK as a standalone piece of music. Still jam to it when I hear it come on the radio. :)

 

RE: With you, at least as far as the theme goes..., posted on July 11, 2017 at 19:28:29
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 I actually think Live and Let Die is one of the worst theme songs.

Possibly for the very reason you like it because it doesn't really fit. Bond theme songs often shoehorn the title into the lyrics.

Live and Let Die - had it not been a song associated in anyway to the Beatles/McCartney probably wouldn't be as revered. Had it been say created by Billy Veera and the Beaters - I doubt it gets ranked as highly as it does.

Carly Simon's Nobody Does it Better is one of the best because it fits James Bond the character but also fully stands on its own because it does not have to shoehorn "The Spy Who Loved Me" as a lyric. The line is actually in the song and it fits seamlessly.

I wasn't looking but somehow you found me
It tried to hide from your love light
But like Heaven above me
The spy who loved me
Is keeping all my secrets safe tonight

VS

But if this ever changing world in which we're living
Makes you give in and cry

Say live and let die
Live and let die
Live and let die
Live and let die

I guess I just find this song relatively lazy in comparison.


For your Eyes Only can stand on its own as a general love song but also fits being drawn to someone extra-special - James Bond to excite women.

Diamonds are Forever obviously works directly to the title of the film and serves a reminder to all the women who will used and tossed away by Bond.

Diamonds are forever,
Sparkling round my little finger.
Unlike men, the diamonds linger;



Because Bond won't linger.


They won't leave in the night,
I've no fear that they might desert me.

.../...

For what good will love do me?
Diamonds never lie to me,
For when love's gone,
They'll lustre on.


Suits Bond to a tee. And basically works as a warning Ballad for anyone who date "Players".


I think the songs should fit the movie and if the title of the song is going to be prominent it should not stick out awkwardly, which is why You Only Live Twice" doesn't make my top 5. (though 6).

I suppose it comes down to what drives you to like a song. Music/Lyrics


 

RE: YOLT, posted on July 11, 2017 at 19:35:59
RGA
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Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
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* Common perhaps, but not boring!

It's nice to never see a bunch of trucks belching out black smoke and stickers all over the back bumper telling me about their personal lives or who they voted for which other car company they pee on (Calvin).

You rarely see old cars here.

Now you will see some silly cars here like the above. But I think it's cute so why not.

 

RE: Hmmm , posted on July 11, 2017 at 19:44:00
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
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 I'm not sure if I am suppose to reply or to what?

Art is Art and it's subjective. Plenty of art makes violence pretty.

Bond is escapist, fictional, entertainment. Moore films especially so.

As for importance? No Bond film ranks in my top 200 movies - but it is a film series that has been with us for 50 years. And for Bond fans this is generally a fun topic.

I assume most people can watch a Bond movie without being moved to misogyny or violence. People of intellect can determine the difference between fantasy and reality.

 

Here's some thoughts, posted on July 11, 2017 at 22:05:35
Timbo in Oz
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 I have a distanced relationship with pop-culture, and I'm an ex infantry WO.





























































































































































































































































































































































Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

serious discussion, posted on July 12, 2017 at 07:16:58
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 about serious topics (how religion and politics ruins the world) is not allowed here. So we are stuck with pop culture and hobbies that promote it.

You can learn a lot from pop culture - Dickens and Shakespeare and Mozart were pop culture in their day. A lot of social satire exists in Pop Culture as well as other forms of commentary on the plight of man.

But once any topic goes down the politics or religious path it gets deleted. Which is fair enough this is an audio board. Although it strikes me that words are still just words and so personally I'd let it go. Lots of people disagree with my various stances and I get pounded more than most on most forums - but a hobby dedicated to music - much of which is devoted to social commentary (anti-war, religion, politics etc) often gets shut down.

I could spend a week on John Lennon's "Imagine."

James Bond movies I maintain are simply a form of escapism - But I do not believe they make people violent - people who are violent don't need an excuse. I'd like to say something about holy books at this point but I can't so I shan't. I would prefer to discuss the following "Christopher Hitchens 10 minutes" (typed into google 10:36) over James Bond. But there you are. PS: For Your Eyes Only

:)

These kinds of movies are bubble gum or Romance novels - even literature professors will read Romance Novels - not because they're great literature but because they are diversion.

I think you could have a good discussion about what effect Bond has on the psyche of those watching - does it sexualize killing. Or is it about promoting imperialist propaganda that the west is the good guy and everyone else is evil. Be like Bond. Or is it pro military - James Bond the elite special forces who can take out the bad guy, sleep with the bad guy's woman, kill the bad guy, stop the evil plan, keep the bad guy's woman. Oh James - and Oh British awesomeness.

After awhile - amp X is better than amp Y is mind numbing.




 

Will agree with you on the lyrics (and laziness,) but it is the transitions of the song I enjoy. (nt), posted on July 12, 2017 at 08:03:57
David S.
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 .

 

RE: Chase scene with the Toyota 2000GT, posted on July 12, 2017 at 09:15:14
BigguyinATL
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 they had to chop the top off so Connery could get is quickly! better unobstructed head shots... camera - not bullets.


"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

 

It is true violence is over the top in general, and seems to sell films, and TV spots., posted on July 12, 2017 at 11:09:13
3+4=5
 When I flip through the over the air TV channels, it is always the case I will see at least one person being murdered, at least one other being shot at, and at least two being physically beaten, or giving a beating. (amazing how the Heros get beat to Hell, yet never have any injuries??) I find the realistic parts of showing women being killed, dead, raped, tied up and the aftermath of beatings to be particularly offensive. And that they just media feeding the rapists, beaters fantasies.
Unless that channel is on commercials. Then I am guaranteed to see at least a few ads for medicines which may (hell IMO pretty likely too) also kill you. And lawyer ads for suing the medicines that can kill you. Or.. Maybe some sad dog photos and begging for money to save it.
Then the damn 'weather' I think local stations have gone mad over weather. They have to repeat endlessly the same drivel, at least twice, maybe three times each news broadcast, and think it is fine it interrupt good shows with even more drivel several times, because it is raining.. SOMEPLACE.

Rant over.

 

Toyota 2000GT - so good that it outruns cars while the speedo shows 0MPH, posted on July 12, 2017 at 11:54:09
Edp
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 When Aiki is at the wheel, you can see the speedo never leaves the 0 MPH peg.

Another one, is in Dr No, James turns Sunbeam steering wheel to right, but car turns left when being chased by the Hearse.

 

RE: It is true violence is over the top in general, and seems to sell films, and TV spots., posted on July 12, 2017 at 18:03:28
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
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 I was actually shocked sitting in a cab in Vegas listening to 3 consecutive ads about "ask your doctor is XYZ is right for you." It used to be that your doctor would prescribe you a drug that fit your ailment - now they drug companies sell direct and put it into your head you are sick.

Europe and the US always differed with television - In the US you could watch 80 people being machined gunned to death, decapitated, castrated and general gore - but man if you show a female nipple the network would get irate phone calls. In Europe it is somewhat the reverse.

But like most things - you have the option to change the channel. I think James Bond is largely cartoon violence. The violence in a Schindler's List or a Platoon is not.

I remember when the 1978 Romero film Dawn of the Dead was called the goriest film of all time - most people then found it sickening - now worse can be seen weekly in the Walking Dead.

But there is plenty of abject violence all around the world without a TV in sight and before TV or Movies or electricity was invented. Escapist entertainment does allow people to delve into the macabre without committing the macabre.

 

Perhaps another fan on your level , posted on July 12, 2017 at 20:36:55
Craiger56
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Seen today in traffic
.

Eye opening quote from back in the day..

Bond: My dear girl, there are some things that just aren't done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon '53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Q:

 

Email me, eh?, posted on July 13, 2017 at 00:56:15
Timbo in Oz
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 :-)


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: serious discussion, posted on July 14, 2017 at 12:52:49
davidandcandy@gmail.com
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 Concerning the idea that watching violence MAY promote same (admittedly not stated directly, but IMO implied), I don't think there is a direct relationship to those of, shall we say, "reasonable" intellect. What worries me more now, and I don't know if it's my age, 68, or my perception of values, culture, etc., or both together. I am concerned at the obvious degree of fun with which I see kids & adults playing the VERY realistic "war" video games. It is incredible how lifelike these games portray people & situations of violence & death. Personally, I can't be in the same room when they are played. Now, IMHO, participants seem unaffected by the death of their own character or team mates, and almost giddy at the death of opponents. I fear that this, to some degree, has made some of us less sensitive to real violence & I'm not smart enough to know whether this may have an effect, and if so, what it even may be, on those who participate in such pastimes. All I know, from personal experience, is the real horror & shock of participating in real life war. It is incomprehensibly ugly & in no way mirrors a video game. You can't push a button & get more ammo. You can't get enough points to bring you or your friend back to life, etc. So let me type this to bring it back to an audio discussion, Tubed and/or solid state amplifiers. Sorry if I hi-jacked the discussion or the direction it was headed. And I completely understand if it's deleted or if any of you disagree & aren't happy with me for posting it. Sometimes I feel like this is therapeutic & perhaps this is improper in this venue. But there, I did it anyway. Now do as I shall, which is to go & listen to some pleasant music.* please pardon the length of this post & my ignorance of knowing how to start a new paragraph. I hate that.
Everyone thinks I'm strange except my friends deep inside the earth

 

RE: serious discussion, posted on July 16, 2017 at 23:17:01
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001
 I happen to agree with you. It's one of those difficult topics where I think we used to hace discussions with kids and parents and teachers wete on the same side. In the States you hace the first ammendment which ultimately protects speech and art even if it's speech and art we don't like.

Yet strangely, to most Europeans, Americans seem fine watching endless bloodbaths but a scene of lovemaking gets a harsher mpaa rating. War and violence is fine but sex...no way.

I'd far rather people playing video games than outside with real ones.

 

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