“You Know My Name” – Chris Cornell (Casino Royale)
Daniel Craig has been in four Bond films now, of various quality obviously (How is it every OTHER one he does is good?). With each of his films, as with every other Bond film there is a theme. There have been four Bond films with Craig as the lead and right now we’re going to rank them! What’s your favorite of these four tunes? Let me know in the comment section below!
Listen. Chris Cornell’s voice is absolutely fantastic. There’s nothing more to be said about it. What I do want to say is that though the song itself is good it doesn’t REALLY fit the Bond aesthetic. As a matter of fact, if you didn’t know this was from Casino Royale, and I don’t know that many do, you’d never have guessed it. That is where the issue lies for me. A bond theme should tell the story of the film in a brief 2.5 to 3 minutes. This doesn’t really do that. That MIGHT be the biggest flaw.
“Another Way to Die” – Jack White & Alicia Keys (Quantum of Solace)
Now this song here is what the kids call a “banger”. When you couple Jack White’s unique voice and guitar playing style with the smooth and sultry tones of Alicia Keys and you get a great song that fits a mediocre Bond film. Quantum of Solace has it’s moments, as does this song. Unlike this ditty however, the movie doesn’t hold you in the least bit. Overall a solid track…but certainly not the best.
“Writing on the Walls” – Sam Smith (Spectre)
While Spectre is subpar as hell Sam Smith’s song is an absolute stunner. Who better to sing of the exploits of Britain’s greatest spy then a Brit…more on that later. It also might have one of my favorite accompanying open sequences for any Bond film in some time. It’s chorus, a haunting, almost choral piece that, much like Bond, is doing everything he can. That desperation palpable as Smith tells us it’s all as it should be…because the writing’s on the wall. While the sentiment is a BIT too on the nose. It works. Unlike a ton of stuff in the film itself.
“Skyfall” – Adele (Skyfall)
Here it is the best of the themes from the Daniel Craig era. Was there ever a doubt? Not only is Adele one of our generations best voice but she absolutely belts in this Oscar winner. Not only does the song fit the film. It feels like the tone of the film is set to this Adele song. Skyfall is Craig’s best film and was spoiled with its theme also reigning as the best. Oh how luck we were. Let’s hope the next one can live up to the last two.
What do you think? Which is your favorite? Why am I completely correct? Tell me in the comment section below…or come scream at me on Instagram and Twitter @FilmSnobReviews. You know you want to.