The Disappointment of the "Quantum of Solace" Opening Song: An Alternate Song Experiment and 007 Song Discussion

[Guest]

After the disappointment of Eon Productions' 2008 James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace," viewers had many issues to complain about with the movie. Quite notably, audience members were not satisfied with the film's main titles, citing the opening song, "Another Way to Die," to be a complete departure from what fans might have expected and not thematic enough.

Incredibly, listeners of Canadian artist Gino Vannelli's music may have recognized his 1981 song, "Nightwalker," from the album of the same name, to have a sound fitting for a Bond movie. After exploring what this may sound like when synchronized with various James Bond openings, I realized how well it fits with both the main titles of "Skyfall" and "Quantum of Solace." In particular, the context of the song matches the dynamics of the protagonist as he struggles with the loss of Vesper Lynd at the end of "Casino Royale."

By replacing "Another Way to Die" with "Nightwalker," the main titles contain a very different tone, enhancing the on-screen visuals and creating an opening worthy of rivaling its counterparts from "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall," and perhaps harkening back to the openings of the 1970s and '80s.

This is "Nightwalker" by Gino Vannelli envisioned as a James Bond opening song. I have not added the sound effects from the beginning of the clip, but that is actually when the song itself begins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EalngRD41pQ

While the film was disappointing, it could have at least had a decent song. In fact, we saw a celebration of the series' music at the 2013 Academy Awards. The James Bond film series is 50 years old now. What are your favorite Bond film songs from throughout the past 50 years? Also, thoughts on the above presentation?

[Imuzi]

Tomorrow never dies was my favorite theme

DON'T JUDGE ME

[almo89]

For Your Eyes Only.

[The Bookie]

Diamonds Are Forever

..but really, I thought the QoS Jack White/Alicia Keys duet was the best of the 'modern' Bond era, although Tina Turner's Goldeneye is a close second. Anything is better than that crap Chris Cornell turned out for Casino Royale though.

[Spoderman]

GoldenEye, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Live and Let Die had the best intro songs.

[Ghostsof1915]

The World is Not Enough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRPWFzONm88

Or anything by Shirley Bassey. (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker)

Honourable mention: You Only Live Twice by Nancy Sinatra, Live and Let Die by McCartney & Wings, and Goldeneye Tina Turner.