Chris Cornell's Bond theme: 'Royale' with cheese

Rosanna Wed, Jun 13, 2007 at 01:50 AM EST

Chris Cornell has no equal in not only todays music but also since his beginning. I love "you know my name" and all his songs on his new cd "Carry On". Plus his lyrics have so much meaning, depth and intellect on many levels-how many song writers today have meaningful lyrics and a voice of Chris's caliber? None thats who! Chris you have no equal.

Wayne Jones Sun, Jun 3, 2007 at 11:09 PM EST

Given that historically bond themes have been given to popular artists of their day (an attempt to maximize sales and appeal) this was a risky choice. Cornell has a large following in rock circles but nothing more than that. He is a wonderful vocalist/musician/songwriter/frontman so my applause goes out to the producers for giving the former soundgarden frontman the green light. This will become a classic, I promise! And i am glad to see bond themes moving away from mediocrity towards sheer class. Mr Cornell...I salute you..and now hopefully a few more people in radio land will also "know your name"

Ty Sun, Mar 18, 2007 at 02:01 AM EST

AMEN to those who think that Cornell's song rocked. By the way, Chris writes his own lyrics so the part of the article that said that his vocals can't even save the lyrics...bunch of crap. I actually hope that he sings the next Bond 22 theme. I heard that The Killers are thinking about doing it and I am very disappointed about that. I really hope Cornell makes time for another Bond theme, even though he is busy with his new solo album.

Jodi Fri, Nov 24, 2006 at 06:41 AM EST

I actually think the Cornell song is pretty good - in "Casino Royale" it performs a little bit of a different function to previous films, especially when faced with Craig as very much an alternative Bond, for after all, Brosnan was just a heightening of a traditional Bond, and got a suitably sophisticated song to go with his rendition. Nevertheless I think this works, although I can still understand why some people do not like it.

^Jodi.

j.scott barnard Mon, Nov 20, 2006 at 09:35 AM EST

They should have used Michael Buble's "You Know How I Feel".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8XbvBbgFjw

Jo Mon, Nov 20, 2006 at 02:47 AM EST

It never ceases to amaze me just what chap taste in music people have. CHRIS CORNELL IS THE GREATEST ROCK SINGER IN HISTORY! People are just too stupid to realise it.

ROCK ON CHRIS!

paradox Sun, Nov 19, 2006 at 11:19 AM EST

I think Cornell's song fits perfect with new image of bond. The brute and rawness of it all syncs well with the tune. I will say I prefer the original version with subtle horns as apposed to the orchestral version which seems to just randomly pop Bond classic string themes in. The song defiantly grows on you.

Dave Wed, Nov 15, 2006 at 12:10 AM EST

Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill," Tina Turner's "Goldeneye," Tom Jones' "Thunderball," The Wings' "Live and Let Die," and Shirley Bassey's "Diamonds are Forever" are all great Bond songs. However, nothing tops Bassey's "Goldfinger." The song, like the movie, is simply one of the best.

Anna Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 05:21 PM EST

My votes are for "A View to a Kill" and "Nobody Does It Better." I also like "For Your Eyes Only," although I never knew until now that it was a Bond theme. I don't really know any of the others but I've only sat through two Bond movies so that may be part of the problem.

Geoffrey Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 02:59 PM EST

I know it's universally reviled, but I really liked A-Ha's "The Living Daylights." I've never understood why it always got such a bad rap.

And while I disliked Sheryl Crow's song for Tomorrow Never Dies, the KD Lang track that played during the end credits was far and away the better song and more deserving to play during the opening.

dma69 Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 02:24 PM EST

Bets Bond song: Anything by Shirley Bassey.

Close second: Garbage. The World Is Not Enough rocks. Anything by Garbage rocks. Another act screwed over by radio.

Worst Bond song: Die Another Day. For Madonna, very disappointing.

Charley Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 01:27 PM EST

Duran's "View to a Kill" is one of the only ones that still holds up for me. And I agree with other posters here that Sting could do something cool with a Bond theme. Even the Darkness could be fun, although I know they're trying to get away from the 'camp' aspect....

Jessica Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 01:22 PM EST

I'm with half the board here - "The World is Not Enough" is easily my favorite Bond song.

Cass Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 12:36 PM EST

I completely agree with Chris about Louis Armstrong's "We Have All The Time In the World" from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

Also "Live and Let Die" and "Diamonds Are Forever."

Tim Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 11:38 AM EST

There hasn't been a memorable Bond theme since Duran Duran's turn at it. The rest are just there.

I'm partial to the older ones, since I grew up with those.

Paul U. Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 11:10 AM EST

Ok...from a certified Madonna freak, Die Another Day was nearly unlistenable. Sorry, but that's how I feel...it brings her American Life album to a screeching halt, and that's my favorite album. My personal favorite Bond theme has not been mentioned yet, it's License To Kill by Gladys Knight. Go back and listen to it, it's fabulous! Very drag queen-esque. In the future, I would like to see Cher tackle a Bond song...the song Love is a Gunman on her It's A Man's World album is ready-made!

Stephanie Travitsky Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 11:02 AM EST

My favorites

For Your Eyes Only- Sheena Easton

A View to a Kill (into the fire)- Duran Duran

The Spy Who Loved Me (Nobody does it Better)- Carly Simon

Live and Let Die- Wings
I would like to add that this is the most overplayed Bond song, but it is still good and better than the GNR cover

The World is Not Enough- Garbage

Shirley Manson would have rocked as a Bond Girl

I am not sure if Cornell was the right choice, but Goldfrapp would have been perfect. I saw them open for Depeche Mode last year at Jones Beach, and all I can say is wow!

Crystal Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 09:47 AM EST

There were two recent ones I remember liking....Tina Turner's Goldeneye and Garbage's The World Is Not Enough. The latter was a case of the theme song being way better than the movie. But then, Garbage rocks....always did.

Chris Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 09:41 AM EST

I love Louis Armstrong's "We Have All The Time In the World" in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." I think it goes overlooked because it wasn't the opening credits theme, but it's still great.

Joe C Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 09:13 AM EST

My fave 5 Bond songs:

Nobody does it Better Carly Simon
For Your Eyes Only Sheena Easton
Live and Let Die--Paul McCartney
Goldeneye--Tina Turner
Sheryl Crow's--Tomorrow Never Dies

By the way, I'm not a James Bond fan. The songs are usually better than the movie

Telly B Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 08:41 AM EST

I don't understand the hatred for Madonna's Die Another Day song.
It was finally something DIFFERENT from the usual soaring-strings-and-bombastic-vocals that seemed to be a requirement for Bond films, and yes, it was the only Bond film song to actually become a radio hit since Duran Duran's A View To A Kill back in the 80's.

Of all the recent Bond themes, the only decent ones have been Madonna's and Tina Turner's Goldeneye.
Now that's a woman who really knows how to convey the raw sexuality, danger and mystery that a good James Bonfd film song should have.

BTW...how come Annie Lennox/The Eurythmics have never been asked to do a James Bond film song?
Lennox's voice is just perfect for the gig...haunting, powerful and sexy as all out...

Shelby Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 07:56 AM EST

I love Madonna's Die Another Day! It has a great beat and is not the boring old violins in the background song that is expected of a Bond movie. The opening credits with the song were amazing in the cinema.

It's a shame her creativity and risks are not apllauded, even if you dislike the song. But then again it's been like that for 23-24 years-ho hum...

Gary Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 03:12 AM EST

I'm with you guys re: The World Is Not Enough. And I also liked Die Another Day (though Madonna's cameo in the movie was kind of jarring to me - it was like, whoa! what's Madonna doing there!?!?!)

Best ever? Goldfinger is the gold standard, I think, though I'm also a big fan of You Only Live Twice. Remember Robbie Williams' take on that one - Millenium? That was kind of fun.

Wasn't Pulp supposed to do a Bond song at one time? That would have been great too.

sean Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 03:04 AM EST

I heard Robbie Williams was up to do the theme for Casino Royale with Burt Bacharach composing. That would have been better than Chris Cornell. Maybe next time. As for past songs, I'm a sucker for Tom Jones and Thunderball!

Kurt Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 12:25 AM EST

I've gotta say, "Die Another Day" was atrocious, but I liked the songs for both "The World Is Not Enough" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". A lot.

Phil Tue, Nov 14, 2006 at 12:06 AM EST

I did enjoy "Die Another Day", as well as Madonna's cameo in the film. Both were pure FUN!

I love Garbage's "The World Is Not Enough", and would have LOVED to have had Goldfrapp give Casino Royale's theme a whirl. I never even heard they were up for it originally. Sad, especially with all the money Target spent on their Holiday 2006 campaign using Goldfrapp's "Fly Me Away". They might have finally broke big here in the U.S., what a pity!

As far as Chris Cornell...this snoozefest of a theme doesn't have me half as interested as his impending cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" when his sophomore disc drops in February!

Ed Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 11:54 PM EST

I love me some Madge but her 007 song SUCKED! Die Another Day? and that video? cheez, talk about sh*tious! Anyway, nothing beats Sheana Easton's "For Your Eye's Only", hot song and oh so gay!

Sheana, you brought me out of the closet when I didn't even know I was gay - that's powah!

shawn Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 11:15 PM EST

The writer conveniently forgot that Madonna's "Die Another Day" peaked at No. 7 on Billboard -- the highest ranking song since "A View to a Kill" in 1985.

Madonna rocks. Get over it.

jaime Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST

I heard that Goldfrapp was originally gonna do the Casino Royale theme song, which would have been much more interesting, at least, than Cornell. It makes sense too, because their stuff is really cinematic as it is. Oh well.

jaime Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 10:22 PM EST

I heard that Goldfrapp was originally gonna do the Casino Royale theme song, which I would have been much more interesting, at least, than Cornell. It makes sense too, because their stuff is really cinematic as it is. Oh well.

Tommy Marx Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 09:04 PM EST

I was going to comment that I still listen to and love "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage, but several people beat me to the punch. Good to know I'm not the only one that liked that song. :-)

aramis Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 08:12 PM EST

Uh, hello....who is this Sophie person...

Sheryl Crow's song totally rocked! Crow with a perfect infusion of Bond. "Tomorrow Never Dies" was a classic bond theme of late.

Madonna's wasn't hideous either. It was actually pretty, well, Madonna. And I loved it. And it made a perfect club number as well. Not many bond themes can claim that.

Cornell's doesn't suck, but the lyrics have to evoke the concept and ideas that evoke BOND. Sophie, do you think you can come up with better? I mean, at least Slezak offers lyrics of his own when he narcs on others.

You need to do the same. Otherwise, shut up.

Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 08:07 PM EST

I'm usually a fan of Cornell, but that song is terrible.

bootsycolumbia Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 07:52 PM EST

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I liked "Die Another Day" by Madonna. I thought it went well with the movie, which is what it was supposed to do.

Vicky Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 07:28 PM EST

3 cheers for "The World is Not Enough" by Garbage! Awesome song, rockin' video, great band!

vicki Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 07:04 PM EST

Dude, Die Another Day was a good song!

Henry Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:53 PM EST

I liked "The World is Not Enough" by Garbage and "GoldenEye" by Tina Turner in recent times. They had great opening titles in the films to go with them.

Of the classics, I still listen to "Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon a lot (I think it's the best theme) and "Goldfinger" by Shirley Bassey is a timeless classic. Those are the top two. The other three spots in a Top Five would probably be "For Your Eyes Only" by Sheena Easton, "Live and Let Die" by The Wings, and "Diamonds Are Forever" by Shirley Bassey. They are absolutely the standards by which all Bond themes are judged.

Kate Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:51 PM EST

Repeating other sentiments but the best have been Live and Let Die or A View To A Kill.

brandonk Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:45 PM EST

"Goldfinger" sounds good, and I liked "GoldenEye" enough to buy the single. Of course, I love Tina Turner, so...
I think Beyonce or Christina could probably do something sultry/energetic for the next movie.

llsee Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:37 PM EST

The absolute best Bond theme, the one that has stood the test of time and is the standard by which all others should be judged is Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better". Goldfinger is, of course, a sentimental favorite since it was the first actual "Bond song". "A View to a Kill" by Duran-Duran is still passable, as is Paul McCatrney's "Live and Let Die". And Jane, don't feel embarassed, i still like Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only" also. Of course, I'm an old fogey!!

z Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:35 PM EST

Either of Shirley Bassey's bond themes- "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds are forever"

Alicia Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:34 PM EST

I know I'm repeating what's already been said, but "A View to a Kill" and "Live and Let Die." They both solidly stand on their own.

mike Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:30 PM EST

I liked the "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage and just like "a View To A Kill", the videoes are better than the movies. I found the video for "Tomorrow Never Dies" on YouTube. I like it, too. My favorite Bond theme is still "Live And Let Die".

Jeff Commings Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:25 PM EST

It's not just the singers. It's the people who write the songs, too. Some of the best songs were written by great composers and lyricists: Marvin Hamlisch, John Barry, Leslie Bricusse, Paul McCartney. Nowadays, they pluck some obscure person from some obscure band to do the duty.

Nick R. Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:23 PM EST

I loved "The World Is Not Enough" by Garbage, despite (yes, I agree with Victor Perez) the fact it was from the worst Bond in...ever.
I wish that the producers had've gone with original choice Goldfrapp to do the theme song for Casino Royale. How much would that have ruled??

Stacey Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:23 PM EST

A View to a Kill still rules as far as Bond themes.

Victor Perez Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:10 PM EST

To be honest, i really liked "The World is Not Enough" by Garbage, even though it was from the worst of the Brosnan 007 movies. They even had a badass video to go with it!

Christine Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 06:01 PM EST

I still love Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill." It's still the best one in the recent past. I still also like Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever by Shirley Bassey. I'd like the Bond people to go a little old school and see what Michael Buble could do with a Bond theme.

jane Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 05:51 PM EST

I'd like to see what Sting could do with a Bond theme. As for themes that exist , I'm ashamed that I like Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only." And just for the purposes of nostalgia, I could bear to hear Duran Duran's "View to a Kill."