Another Way to Die
September 21st, 2008 by Anthony Salveggi in News, ReviewsThe Jack White-penned theme to the latest James Bond flick, Quantum of the Solace, has been released for download at iTunes, but not in North America, where it will be available October 23. “Another Way to Die” is, however, receiving airplay over the radio.
After giving the highly anticipated Jack White/Alicia Keys duet (the first in Bond history) a few listens, my reaction has remained consistent: This will go down as among the least of the Bond title songs. And I’m not the only one who feels White’s effort is rather underwhelming. Or that it’s just a pretty bad song.
While its angular, menacing sound may be appropriate to the harder edge Daniel Craig and Bond’s producers have crafted for their hero, it is by no means worthy of a James Bond film, and it’s totally outclassed by the the classic Bond songs performed by Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and Paul McCartney. Melody, which should set a compelling mood, is virtually nonexistent, while the featherweight lyrics fail to either tell a story or capture the essence of the iconic super spy.
Bond, you deserve better.
Update: The original YouTube link to the song has been taken down, but you can hear the song in its entirety at theboombox.com.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
It’s gritty, soulful American Music. Maybe too American for Bond/Bond lovers expecting saccharine, bombastic tripe along the lines of “Live and Let Die.”
September 21st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
If by “gritty” and “soulful” you mean “thoroughly fucking boring,” then I’d have to agree with you.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
It’s ballsy, my refined friend. You wouldn’t understand.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Right on all points Wade: I am quite refined, it was very ballsy of Jack White to present his dreck as the latest Bond theme, and no, I don’t understand its appeal for you.
To be charitable, there is the germ of a good song in there. But White couldn’t develop it. The groove, when isn’t needlessly interrupted, is compelling. But “Another Way to Die” is so lacking in dynamics, both melodically and rhythmically, it barely simmers. The best Bond songs either start strong right out of the gate and maintain momentum for their duration (”Goldfinger,” “Thunderball,” “The Man With the Golden Gun”), or they begin seductively before building to a sexy climax (”You Only Live Twice,” “Live and Let Die,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Goldeneye,” “The World is Not Enough.” And they all have memorable melodies.
“Another Way to Die” fails on every count.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I’ll be charitable, too, and pretend that I only read the first five words of your latest comment … And say I totally agree with you.
Anyone else in readerland wanna respond? In regards to music taste, I think Sal is a pansy. He thinks I’m a macho idiot. I think there’s validity to both our points. Feel free to chime in.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:21 am
Anthony Salveggi, thanks for saving me the time I would’ve spend having to type out pretty much everything you said. Needless to say, I agree with you 100%.
That’s me chiming in, Wade.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 am
PS http://uk.imdb.com/news/ni0569874/
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thanks, Concoction. I just listened to the song again, as I had to update the link, and, in the words of commenters on theboombox.com, it is indeed “a mess of sound” with “no vocal melody to speak of and terrible-sounding production.”
Having said that, I don’t buy into the American vs. British argument made by Noel Gallagher. There have been plenty of great Bond themes sung by Americans (Nancy Sinatra, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Carly Simon) and written by Americans (Bill Conti, Marvin Hamlisch, Mitchell Froom, Michael Walden).
Is it too late for them to start from scratch?