My favourite Bond song is 'You Only Live Twice' (those descending strings give me goosebumps!). But I think one of the qualities that stand the test of time for a Bond song is whether you can walk out of the cinema whistling the theme; this is something that, despite the beauty of the song, most might find challenging with Radiohead's offering.

RADIOHEAD from SPECTRE

Chris Cornell's 'You Know My Name' without a doubt.

'live and let die' is the finest actual Bond theme, for hte sheer weight of that brassy guitar build up - but I think Pulp's song 'this is hardcore' is the best bond theme that never was.

Man of War is the perfect Bond theme.

"Indeed."

Well knowing shit about music theory does not make the music better

🎶 Well Jonny Greenwood is classically trained & has written many film scores & is in Radiohead 🎵

IKRRR makes me want to learn music theory rn

@@deblaker7372 Well let's say it makes the experience different.

Why man? Why get depressed over something so trivial?

@@Westcoastrocksduh Sam Smith is a turd

@@Westcoastrocksduh why not?

@@PlanetXerox why chose to be depressed when you can choose to not be depressed especially about something so insignificant? Self explanatory.

@@Westcoastrocksduh I love depression man

Hi I recommend a song called 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

That's Hollywood for ya... Instead they had to shove Sam Smith's attempt at recreating Adele's (iconic) Skyfall theme down our throats because he was "popular" at the time.

People argue that Smith's theme isn't bad as a piece on its own, and I do agree that it's not a bad song at all, which is why I'm fine with it winning an award. But on that note, Madonna's theme isn't an unbearable piece either. I'd be fine listening to "Die Another Day" at the local karaoke bar. Doesn't mean I think it suits Bond. "Writing's on the Wall" simply wasn't made with the same passion for Bond as Radiohead's piece (nor was "Die Another Day" for that matter). The harmonic chord movement (as mentioned in this video) in almost every Bond theme, even in Radiohead's "Spectre," isn't clearly presented in "Writing's on the Wall," and while it has the F minor (add 9) moving to A-flat major 7 which conveys a delicacy and vulnerability that I do quite like and is characteristic of Smith's music, it simply doesn't cut it as "Bond" to me. Like "Die Another Day" was a Madonna song rather than a Bond theme, "Writing's on the Wall" is a Sam Smith song, not a Bond theme. It didn't fool me, nor did it fool anyone else, as it's not regarded well as a Bond theme, but more as a nice attempt at making a contemplative song. As said in this video, Radiohead's Spectre is a Bond theme first and foremost, and a Radiohead song second. I don't think Smith was genuinely trying to redefine the standard for Bond themes, because I don't feel like giving the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he actually cared enough to preserve the motifs of Bond themes.

Someone needs to make a video of songs written for James Bond that were rejected for one reason or another. Ace of Base wrote this for Goldeneye but it didn't work out (I think it was Ace of Base's label that couldn't work out a deal?). They changed the lyrics from "The Goldeneye" to "The Juvenile", but the music is unmistakably Bond. There is a version out there that actually has the Goldeneye lyrics, but it is a demo and the music isn't nearly as complete as this The Juvenile. ukposts.info/have/v-deo/gI-kZX2siqCdjn0.html

most of their albums are the best one.

@@AllegedlySpiffy agree, that the reason, well said man

Yeah assassins are never dark characters ?

I'd call it "too lethargic".

Too dark for a bond film that was essentially about the Illuminati and conspiracy theories… they sold out, spectre was kind of lame

it's honestly depressive whereas the usual themes work against the tragedy by colliding with a very artificial tightness. radiohead's theme doesn't have this paradox. but this paradox is, i believe, a very weighted bond character aspect. completely unnatural and bizarre. (IMHO)

It was a really depressing song, which fits with the movie, but honestly it didn’t feel like a bond song because it wasn’t over the top

Amen.

They were mainstream tho?

Yeah they can't be described as not being mainstream. During the 90s they were everywhere. And right now in 2024 they could still sell out 150 stadium dates worldwide in an hour with fans missing out on a ticket

Lmao you’re just another elitist Radiohead fan 😂

@@donnerthereindeer366 well, Radiohead is the greatest band of all time.

That track was perfect for Casino Royale just as this this track would have been perfect for what Spectre was aiming for.

RIP Chris Cornell, an incredible vocalist

@@urethrafranklin5981 Casino Royale deserved a bombastic theme, this was Craig's Bond's first outing, and following Die Another Day the series needed to let the audience know they were going to take things seriously. Between the opening scene with Dryden and You Know My Name, it more than delivered. Radiohead's song fit what Spectre was going for, but I'd be lying if I'm not a little pleased it was rejected. A song that good deserved a better film.

I love, love, love Chris Cornell, but for some reason I couldn't help but feel the music in that song was a tad bit cheezy. Like it didn't do Chris's voice any justice.

⁠Oh you’re absolutely right, let’s do everything exactly the same as always. We can call every progress woke to show them how perfectly staid we are. @@recline69

It not only makes sense, it's also pretty hard hitting and deep emotionally. It shows that they tried their best on this one

Much as I love Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better", the shoehorning-in of the film's title - "And like heaven above me, the spy who loved me" - does make you go, "Wait, what?!"

It's tacky. It was when Skyfall did it too. But at least Skyfall wasn't a boring song.

AND being british

​@@daniel.s.stefanov You got some weird music opinions, either that or you're just really into Sam Smyth and don't like everyone acknowledging someone did it better.

Fock no

Ikr

Right? This is puzzling!

Puzzling for a Radiohead fan, slightly less so for some tasteless boomer studio exec

The least deserving music Oscar in the entire history od Academy Awards. That John Barry never got one for Bond , but Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes did...I'd be embarassed to have accepted it.

Hi I recommend a song called 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

Yessssss

It's my favorite Bond song together with You Know My Name. I couldn't choose which one I love most between those two.

I like Spectre better but they probably went with Writing on the Wall because it's simpler and more easily memorable.

Kinda like how people don’t remember Ian Fleming’s books but remember Bond for his six packs and martini.

@@treytison1444 honestly, this is just a hunch so take it with a grain of salt, I really think they were going for what was popular. It happens all the time in Hollywood. Sam Smith's debut album in 2014 was a pop hit. It became extremely popular, won a bunch of Grammie awards. And he was a popular name probably near the peak of his popularity. It seems that Adele's skyfall was also near the height of her popularity. For an example outside bond, remember Transformers? 3 movies with Linkin Park, then they drop them for the fourth to go with Imagine Dragons who had just achieved their pop break. I can't say with any certainty that's what happened, but I honestly think it is

Hi I recommend a new Bond theme song-the indie rock song: 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

Hi I recommend an indie rock song Called 'The Bond Villain' by Robert Nix

Yep… thank you!

yea Crazy good job man u deserve so much more

Is filled with small details in video and audio. It’s amazing

Oof i just wanted to mention that:/ THAT is called dedication to video quality

Glad people noticed too yeah it’s amazing

She did do a bang up job

ugh omg I absolutely love that one

It also charted really well when it was released. I heard that song everywhere.

@@TSL73 awful song , shite

The movie was pretty good to add to it.

Cash. Profit over product quality : it's the modern mantra.

Because Sam Smith is in “The Club”

Sam Smith's song wants me to move. Move away from the headset and to the toilet.

@@MamadNobari Love Sam Smith's Writing's On The Wall as well!

@@MamadNobari sam smiths song was amazing dude wdym

I have to break with most of the comments on this video and say this song makes me want to fall asleep immediately...which is exactly why I think it was rejected.

Radiohead´s Bond theme also sucks. It seems the movie was doomed to have the worst Bond theme of all time, no matter what...

yeah, but how do you explain pink floyd and the wizard of oz

@@jeremylarson6267 Drugs.

@@MiguelBaptista1981 Cocaines a hell of a drug.

@@JohnsysChannel much more likely lsd or shrooms

@@scarfacegaming9848 Yeah, but Cocaines a hell of a drug! :)

Hi I recommend an indie rock song Called 'The Bond Villain' by Robert Nix

Fuck yea

Man of War is the bondiest Song of all Bonds songs and the fact it was denied cause it wasnt written for the movie specifically is basically factually wrong cause you can hear that it was written with Bond in mind, back in the day.

@@redskies4530 Hi I recommend an indie rock song Called 'FREAKOUT' by 1 800 PAIN

I think this is my second time watching this video

To add insult to injury: Sam Smith won an Oscar for his song. It depicted Bond as fragile. Not raw and complicated, just fragile, almost whimpy. It didn’t get the tone right whereas Radiohead just GOT that complexity.

Good observation. Bonds world needs to be over the top

and today we have some sort of whisper singing from angsty teenager

@@eeeeyyyees no time to die is a good theme

@@crob3545 it is. never said it was a bad song

I wouldn't really equate muted vocals in the vague shape of a word to "artistic subtlety." People are having to read through the lyrics not because they want to be spoonfed the message, but because they barely had any idea what he was saying. But in all honesty, Thom's vocals were otherwise excellent in this track. Still a shame that this was rejected.

That's exactly what crossed my mind too. Great to see it in the comments.

Paused and marked rhythm, toned and ondulate accent

"Fuckin delicious..."

@@giuliocallegari9366 *Finally...*

I completely agree. I have never seen a better musical analysis, everything in its right place.

YES

Disagree; I pointed out in another comment that Goldfinger did something that they have tried to retry time and time again, mostly without success. Goldfinger has five contrasting styles blending totally different keys. It links throughout the film, both subliminally and in your face. It's why it won the Oscar. Second I would say The Spy Who Lived Me, then Adelle.

"Live and Let Die", is the only Bond theme I listen to on a regular basis, both the Wings and Guns N' Roses versions.

I don't think that was it. They went to Radiohead first, they just didn't like what they produced.

@@Falf_lw I would say its probably that Sam Smith was more marketable since he was a pop artist and well known. Radiohead has somewhat of a niche that wouldn't appeal to most people despite how beautiful the song is. Since Radioheads niche is more melancholy they didn't like it for the movie.

@@OhhLoz he was, you're right. They wanted more of a romantic song so they went with Sam Smith's song. But he wasn't their first choice is all I'm saying

@@Falf_lw Fair enough. I think Radioheads fits the movie more and this is the first time im hearing it.

when I first heard that no time to die was by Billie Eilish I was pissed. But after listening to it at home and at the theatre it is much better than I possibly imagined. Its just not the same genre of music that I would typically enjoy but really liked it because it fit the film well.

I would have rejected it too, depressing jibberish for the woke sensibility

@@funbigly only a loser brings politics into a non-political art piece

@@abd_cheese7353 Aww, were you offended at my one year old comment. Did you like your own comment too. Yea, talk about loser

@@funbigly i don't need to say anymore than i already have

@@abd_cheese7353yeah

Quantum of Solace music was definitely better than the movie, but well it was for Quantum of Solace so it’s forgotten for the same reason you forgot it.

I’ve forgotten about them all, except Casino Royale.

Quantum theme was garbage. Alicia Keys and Jack White have zero musical chemistry.

What? You mean Alicia The Cat Strangler with garage sale Jack

another way to die is a banger

Thank you! Glad you found the video!

Hey! Five watt’s here

There is no darkness here. Just a sadness. I think so anyway. And a threat. I like that. There is a silver lining. Motherfuckers gonna die.

Very good analysis. Two other songs I identify with are; "Island", by Justin Hayward. "All or Nothing" by Tom Petty.. Skyfall's sweet..

Totally agree, even though I don't think the song is that great.

It was released on Christmas Day shortly after the film's release. I'd argue it's their best song of the last 5 years - certainly up there with the best from A Moon Shaped Pool.

i remember when i was in high school and Spectre came out and i had a very specific friend who i talked about A Moon Shaped Pool and all other Radiohead with as we were both musically very inspired by them, he told me about their Spectre song and even showed me the video of the intro sequence edited to it and its astounding to me that not only do they pass on Spectre, but also how much better it fits with both the tone of the movie and actual animated sequence. Im still angry about it.

@@quinnmarchese6313 if it makes you feel better, the final decision was not made by music aficionados or even the film director, these are ultimately marketing and producer decisions made around money concerns. Personally I'm just thankful that the track was released at all... in the past thing like this didn't have a way to be shared so easily, and the band would take their money and be told to forget about the song as the master recording was filed away in some warehouse.

@@darlantro if i ever come to own a copy of spectre, ill rip it to a file, and personally reedit the sequence. the sam smith song is not only bad for the movie, but its actually bad, unlike Adeles song, Chris Cornells (rip), and almost any other theme. But personally, i wasn't a fan of the movie either

It's very similar to Pyramid Song imo. But clearly belongs to the AMSP era. In fact it's a perfect prologue to that album

I too am blown away by the editing, and the voiceover is also remarkable. I just wish I understood what he was talking about - one more reason to learn music theory.

I am blown away as well. Bravo. Your videos are remarkable.

zhe's a wank.

I bet they sounded better too

It's worse it actually took all of his life up to that point to write that.

lmfao

That last part caught me off guard!! 😂🤣 BRAVO..

No it means it just wasn’t good enough 😂

@@kitchenbriks3685 Look, I like Sam Smith just fine, they're decent. But let's not pretend it was a better choice for spectre lmao

indeed

Radiohead dodged a bullet not being associated with such crap.

Yep. No surprise the theme song would get wrecked given how bad they screwed up the rest of the movie.

Love Radiohead and this is technically great - but the 3/4 time feels like a stilted dance instead of a sweeping ballet, that gives Bond's intro it's energy...I.M.O.☺️

+1 for Portishead

I edited Spectre's opening to Supremacy and it was a bit weird how much it fit.

@@Gabriel87100 Nice vid, mate. It would be interesting to see if it fits the Skyfall intro, cause it was intended to be in that movie…

"Supremacy" is such an underrated song. The best part is you don't even need to edit the song to fit into a Bond movie. You just use the song as it is. The opening lines "Wake to see, your true emancipation is a fantasy" fits so well with the overall Bond arc along with the violins, the bass line and the all powerful "SUPREMACYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY...". I don't know whether MUSE created this surprisingly fitting Bond theme by accident. Anyways, we got this masterpiece. So, thanks MUSE.

I'd add these ones to the list as worthy contenders, also. ukposts.info/have/v-deo/j6CZlnmPiICFmXk.html ukposts.info/have/v-deo/sZ12npynlqVe2oU.html

Snake eater too

I had exactly the same thought about Supremacy by Muse. Chatting with a mate not long after The Second Law was released and I quote "you know, the one that sounds like a Bond theme!"

I ,also,didn't know this song,neither the fact that Supremacy was an option for Bond's songs.But for me, Bond series ,didn't deserve Muse's song.Neither,Twilight Saga.But i would choose in any moment Radiohead,instead the Eilish person.Strange days,we are living,nowadays !

yeah definitely thought supremacy sounded bondy

@@mihaelanegritu1709 Say what you will about the Twilight Saga, but the soundtrack was great. Especially the first movie (imo). Even the original score was nice.

@@Triattt What are you talking about ? You didn't understand the point .My point.Muse is too good to make music for series.Which seems to not end.The commercial movies,i mean.Any movie would be like,"Muse ft.Twilght Saga".Just an example,and it didn't mean i didn't like the Saga.Every movie which continue with dozens of parts (Bond ),become weaker and weaker,each part ! IMHO !

Hi I recommend a song called 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

My top three: 3 Adele: Skyfall 2 Nancy Sinatra: You only live twice (best tacky violins in history) 1 McCartney: Live and let die.

I would recommend tinker Taylor soldier sailer rich man poor man

Ditto

Pretty sure they removed it for being too 'dark'

It was a bit too good for the film it was written for lmao

@@mohammedfazil2421 bingo

Hi I recommend a song called 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

Ya, Sam's lyrics took me back to trying to write a poem in grade 1 - you just stuck in the first word that rhymed that came into your head. Compared to some of the lines in the RH version, Sam phoned it in. (Hmmm, maybe his phone composed it with those new AI writing tools)

Itd be funny if they just used it in No Time to Die

Though Radiohead's version would have suited perfectly for Craig's Bond, I wouldn't say its the best Bond theme. In the end, the Bond movies are a collection of simple yet classic and entertaining agent movies. Most often there is no shading of good and bad and Bond is far less nuanced than Craig's version is. I feel the perfect bond theme should resemble that and thus Shirley Bassey's iconic songs will be on top in my opinion. Or if I'd want to be edgy, I could very well go with Paul McCartney :D Jokes aside, Radiohead is a masterpiece but sometimes a genius goes too overboard for the general.

@@t3ss33 I think Goldfinger was as a theme, for your eyes only is great. Thom Yorke said “Nobody does it better” is possibly the sexy track around. (Radiohead do a good cover of it) Golden Eye announced a new style of Bond theme to a degree. A view to a kill was brilliant because they were able to use part of it as a slower instrumental backing in the film. However, Bond themes traditionally contain the title of the film, Radiohead did that but integrated it more. Though, it has to go on record, this version is what Radiohead released after they rejected it, Thom & Jonny said “we got it back and made it more of a Radiohead music track” So you could wonder what they submitted but we probably won’t hear it as they’re happy with this version. Jonny has done the whole score for a number of films now and was, bizarrely, he BBC’s composer in residence for a while. Which actually means he would have worked on the score for many programmes but if the pieces didn’t have lyrics he would go uncredited. Either way his track suits Daniel Craig’s Bond particularly as it ties to his version. In terms of perfection “You know my name” was a great piece of work, because we know the name so well. It was almost a “Did you miss me?” I’m a bit of an oddball when it comes to Bond themes because I don’t go for the big brass section ones so much. I prefer the more atmospheric ones.

well said

Sure was

He said that? And here's me thinking I hated him already!

@@DaveyMulholland would be funny if they picked sam shit because they didnt want to lose money cause of your bet.

@@DaveyMulholland his exact words were "who's Thom Yorke" when asked if he was shocked that Radiohead released their Spectre song on Xmas day. The fact that Sam then went on to win an Oscar for his song. So now that bloated piece of human excrement thinks they are deserving of praise.

Why was it the worst day of your life?.. because you'd just thrown 15k away? Easy solution to that next time isn't there.

Hi I recommend a song called 'The Bond Villain' By Robert Nix

You could simply have it also played by others too at that point. Radiohead song not sung by thom York would then no llonger be a Radiohead song. It’d only be written by. Doable but a whole other animal entirely

Completely agree. I’m a fan of Radiohead however a female voice on this track would make it superior and more fitting to Bond in my opinion. That’s not to say I think Sam Smiths voice is any more fitting. I do not.

Beth Gibbons. Radio versus Portis! Head to Head!

correct

uhh not really kid

@@growskull they are, and I'm not a kid.

@@john_duncan well you must be a kid mentally if you think radiohead is even in the top 100 most talented bands

@@growskull no i am not. But i can see you are an asshole.

I have a secret soft-spot for Thunderball because it is so incredibly BOTH Tom Jones AND James Bond. It's like Tom Jones was born in the same universe as Bond himself, they're both too shiny to be real lol.

@@eugenefullstack7613 That's a good one! I actually forgot about that one. Well done! The ones I mentioned are certainly... unconventional... bond themes.

A View To A Kill is class

same!! the best

@@tatevikdanielyan8795 Right?? :)

Have you heard the theme for "Budget Cuts"?

Snake eater! What a song that was!

Ahh, Snake Eater. A fellow man of culture.

This. ukposts.info/have/v-deo/cZF5haR7i5pi2mg.html

What a thrill...

@@MrMetagaming lol Radiohead dodged a bullet on this one. Spectre's an embarrassment of a Bond movie, just as Sam Smith's song is an embarrassment of a Bond theme. Bless your little heart though sweetie

Thank you so much Rory!

@@ListeningIn You're a legend

Yes. If Spectre had surpassed the darkness and intrigue of Skyfall it would have been worthy of this song.

Hi I recommend an indie rock song Called 'The Bond Villain' by Robert Nix

Great comment

The hell are you talking about lmao, This is ten times more emotional than the song that was used in the final cut

​@@Bronxtale7645 nah radios song didnt rlly hit me at all just left me kinda confused about what he was saying cus its so muffled.. sam smiths was miles better

​@@zzszszszszzJust by the way you express yourself in the written form, it's not hard to see why you find Smith's effort the better of the two.

Whaaa? What are the odds? Bjork Bachelorette is my all time favorite should-have-been Bond theme too! May have to check out this Ulver.

@@philbergen1567 Yeah man, Bachelorette is a fantastic song. The Ulver song is much darker but has a noir atmosphere and sense of grandiose that evokes the world of Fleming's novels. At least to my imagination anyway!

Goldfrapp Time Out from the World!

Really gotta agree with you on Bachelorette, though the lyrics might have to change slightly.

Last Game - "Zwei" Mega Bond vibes

yup, agree... opening sequence with all its languid smoke and slinky octopii match Radiohead's song better than Smith...

Absolutely

That's why this song came out so good. Radiohead already knew how to make a James Bond theme song since 95.

I did not expect to see you here

@@gnaaruag6744 who is he

@@thijsbergman2424 TC Candler.

@@JohnsysChannel Thanks for clearing that up, smh.

@@minners71 :) It's good to know.I actually have no idea who it is.