New Bond Theme: Skyfall

So, it's leaked!
When a new Bond movie comes out, two questions are usually asked - Who is going to be this film's token girlfriend, and who is going to sing the song? This time, Adele was chosen — and for the first time I got excited about something Bond related.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Bond - nor do I ever profess to know much about them, but I do usually enjoy the themes. The films themselves leave a little to be desired, I for one do not enjoy watching a serious spy drama focusing on womanising borderline alcoholic run around as explosions follow him, while villains stroke their cats. Austin Powers is a comedy — that's why they get away with it. But, as a film and music junkie it seems there must be something in these themes to get people excited about them every two years. I mean, Duran Duran, Lulu, Jack White, Dame Shirley and even Sir Paul McCartney have been involved in these things. So, why the appeal?

I think its because it seems to be a genre of music all on its own. These big strings, sultry voices - they all seem to be linked by something that removes them slightly from other songs. You don't get excited about the new 'rock' song coming out, because there is a constant stream. Here, there are two years between every song - so people who like the genre do get excited.

So, I thought instead of just spouting my opinions, I would look at the charts. I wondered what exactly the most popular Bond themes were, when, and how long they charted for. Since I am a geek with mountains of data regarding charts, I decided to look at what the public seemed to think the best Bond theme was.

Out of the huge list of Bond themes, these are the ones that charted. The top two are Nobody Does it Better and For Your Eyes Only, charting for 25 weeks each. My personal favourite is Live and Let Die, but from this you can see what people want. The majority of the high players are your typical, big orchestra - soulful voice melody. The people have spoken, and apparently Adele had listened.
I heard the new Bond theme 'Skyfall', and, I have to say, it is one of the best. If you are a fan of Bond tunes or Adele, I think you would love this. She took the sultry route, following Shirley Bassey's of big, booming voices in front of large string arrangements. Much better than the awful theme (and film) that Quantum of Solace brought. I won't be watching Skyfall when it comes out, but I sure as hell will be listening to its theme tune.