Writing's on the Wall - Official Appreciation Thread

dominicgreenedominicgreene The Eternal QOS Defender
in SPECTRE Posts: 1,756
I am, amongst the few, who love this theme. Let's take a thread to spread the positivity.
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Comments

  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,586
    Love it.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    I like the song quite a bit and I think Smith is getting a lot of exaggerated heat from those who don't like it. Maybe he should have kept his 20 minutes comment to himself. I think it's a good song, evoking a moody atmosphere with a classic richness that still stands out from being markedly different.

    I think it's a song that will lend itself marvelously to DK's creative visuals. I really look forward to the added context DK can give the song, which may hopefully convert a few naysayers and of course compliment what we all hope will be a spectacular movie.
  • Its a very good song. In a shorter title sequence version with DK's stunning visuals its going to get the haters to love it!
  • i think its a great song too ... the vocals and atmosphere of the song gives me goose bumps every time! it will be a treat with the credits! i am sure DK will bring his A game again to the credits! we have a winner!
  • It's a great Song.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185
    I really like the song, i expected way worse.
    It has a classy feel to it, like it could have been released in the 60's or 70's,
    i am pretty sure people will stop bitching when the movie is released.
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    edited September 2015 Posts: 4,151
    After the initial "meh", I've now listened to it a fair few times. It really does grow on you and, while it may not be a "classic Bond tune", it certainly is a good one. The music is fantastic and I can easily see it incorporated into the score. Smith's vocals, for me, are superb, including the falsetto, and give the track a great, haunting feel, which I'm sure will match the titles when we see them. Fair play to him, he's taking a lot of flak from elsewhere, which I feel is unfounded. I kinda feel that the media, rather than give their own opinion, are just going byway is said on social media etc. Give him a break, it's top tune!!
    doubleoego wrote: »
    I like the song quite a bit and I think Smith is getting a lot of exaggerated heat from those who don't like it. Maybe he should have kept his 20 minutes comment to himself. I think it's a good song, evoking a moody atmosphere with a classic richness that still stands out from being markedly different.

    I think it's a song that will lend itself marvelously to DK's creative visuals. I really look forward to the added context DK can give the song, which may hopefully convert a few naysayers and of course compliment what we all hope will be a spectacular movie.

    Certainly agree about the "20 mins" comment from Smith. Shouldn't have mentioned that, just gives more ammunition to haters.

    It's almost like he was on to a loser with many people without hearing it.

  • Posts: 418
    I love the song. I think its beautiful, haunting, gives me goose bumps and I cant stop playing it. I think its more of a grower than a lot of the other more instant Bond songs, but it still got stuck in my head from the first time I heard it, and i'm very happy..nice song.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185

    It's almost like he was on to a loser with many people without hearing it.

    He was. I never heard of Sam Smith before and after hearing his whole album i was very concerend he will F%§/ it up. Reading that comment only added fuel to the fire.

    But music for me is all about atmosphere, and i couldn't find one song of his that was even slightly dark, everything was positive and upbeat. That was my biggest concern.

    But after the initial teaser i was much more confident, and hearing the final product i can say he got the atmosphere right, thank god
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    00Agent wrote: »

    It's almost like he was on to a loser with many people without hearing it.

    He was. I never heard of Sam Smith before and after hearing his whole album i was very concerend he will F%§/ it up. Reading that comment only added fuel to the fire.

    But music for me is all about atmosphere, and i couldn't find one song of his that was even slightly dark, everything was positive and upbeat. That was my biggest concern.

    But after the initial teaser i was much more confident, and hearing the final product i can say he got the atmosphere right, thank god

    Good stuff. I can understand the concerns, I have never listened to his music myself but was willing to wait until I heard it before passing judgement. I'll always give credit to a good song, and this is just that in my opinion.
  • eddychaputeddychaput Montreal, Canada
    Posts: 364
    I think it's a very good song. My initial reaction was that it didn't have that Bondian sound, but I quickly realized how much of an idiotic thought that was.

    First, it's a brand new tune. We've never heard it before and while as a melody is can be good, sometimes what doesn't sound Bondian initially ends up working wonders in the movie (You Know My Name, for example, which is now among my favourites).

    Second, For Your Eyes Only and All Time High don't 'sound' Bondian (no guitar twang, no sense of danger), but they're beautiful songs and, after decades of hearing them again and again, few wish those songs had never appeared in their respective films. They are most definitely part of the family of 007 tunes and I think after a while Writing's on the Wall will as well.
  • eddychaputeddychaput Montreal, Canada
    Posts: 364
    Also, it's a little sad that a "Writing's on the Wall" appreciation thread had to be created. My goodness was the forum in a nasty mood this morning.
  • I think critique of the song, whether positive or negative, is meaningless to anyone else other than yourself. How you receive a song is totally unique whereas a films critique seems to be more unanimous. I am happy to report, however, that I adore the song and love the level of emotion expressed. A love song that isn't irrelevant <3 (in comparison to All Time High or Moonraker)
  • For all of you: A better edited version in HQ .mp3 format. DJ's and voices are edited out. Fel free to download:
    HTTP://PICOSONG.COM/Syaq
  • 00Ralf00Ralf Germany
    Posts: 149
    It certainly is growing on me, even though I'm still not too keen on the falsetto. The high-pitched notes throw me out of the listening flow, which is established by the previous tone of his voice.

    As this is an appreciation thread, I'd like to point out the things I like. (duh)

    1. The instrumental is outstanding. Imagine a wide landscape shot of Bond on that boat in the middle of the lake in Austria, as seen in the trailer. The theme fits the gloomy, mysterious atmosphere. I really really really hope Newman incorporates this in the full soundtrack.

    2. The lyrics reflect the vulnerability and struggle of Craig's Bond since Casino Royale. Vesper? Dead. Revenge taken? Not really. M? Dead. It's the image of a shattered personality. I admit it took me a while to get used to the new tone of the Bond films (i.e. more character creation, less standalone missions, a link between the movies), but I like how this is evolving at the moment. Also, the idiom 'Writing's on the wall' has its origins in the Bible and means impending disaster... This fact adds to the creepy aura around SPECTRE, imho.

    3. The title sequence. OH MY GOD THE TITLE SEQUENCE. The song has so much potential to support Kleinman's hopefully stunning animations. The sheer thought about the upcoming visuals gives me goosebumps.

    All in all, it's a solid entry and I reckon it could become a classic banger in combination with the visuals of the title sequence. As with Skyfall, they might shorten the song a bit for the film or even add a bit more orchestra (those horns during the instrumental bit around 3:25 excite me soooo much!).

    tl;dr - I was indifferent at first, then it grew on me. In Newman and Kleinman I trust!
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    Posts: 5,185
    eddychaput wrote: »
    Second, For Your Eyes Only and All Time High don't 'sound' Bondian (no guitar twang, no sense of danger), but they're beautiful songs and, after decades of hearing them again and again, few wish those songs had never appeared in their respective films. They are most definitely part of the family of 007 tunes and I think after a while Writing's on the Wall will as well.

    THIS.
    I'm doing a bondathon the last couple days, and listening to all the songs, especially from the Moore era, i can't stop imagining how much the press and the 'fans' would have ripped some of those songs to shreds if they would have been released today instead of WOTW.

    I can not take anyone serious who's saying "this does not sound like a bond song" are you kidding me? If you take the voice away, you can't get more bond than that.
    It is not just some bland nice pop song but has some genuine classy bond feel to it.

  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I love the background music. Was Smith behind that? If so, well done.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    I love the background music. Was Smith behind that? If so, well done.

    It seems unlikely to me that he was. Except maybe the piano.

  • Im glad this thread has been made, after seeing so much negative things being said about the song. Even though i wasn't a fan of the vocals, i thought the instrumentals was very well done. I hope the song will grow on me though. Perhaps with a title sequence and some more context of how it fits the movie, i might end up liking it
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    edited September 2015 Posts: 5,185
    I love the background music. Was Smith behind that? If so, well done.

    writing credits went to both him and his long time collaborateur and grammy winner Jimmy Napes, so they both worked on the music
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Writing credit s on the wall.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,449
    I'm okay with the song but I'll need some more time to know for sure how I feel about it. :-)
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    I'm okay with the song but I'll need some more time to know for sure how I feel about it. :-)
    My thoughts exactly.
  • Disclosure work? In the titles sequence?
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    I'm so glad this thread got made.

    The other one is just poisonous now.

    I listened to Writing's On The Wall this morning on the bus on the way to work.
    It was broadcast by BBC 1 which I have as an app on my iphone.

    The song made a wonderful first impression on me. The orchestration is just marvelous and so Barry-esque even.
    The melody stuck with me after only one listen. And I have no quarrels whatsoever with Smith singing in high voice in the chorus. It adds to the drama and melancholy of the song.

    I wish Skyfall would have been like that. Instead it was dreary and the chorus was rather dull.

    Compared to Skyfall (and everybody's comparing it) Writing's On The Wall is so much better and especially so much more Bond.

    For me this song belongs in the category of From Russia With Love or You Only Live Twice.

    It's a bit soon for a ranking but I guess it will end up in my Top 10. It is already the best Bond song of the Craig era by far.

    Quite frankly, I suspect many people bashing on it because Sam Smith is gay. Sadly, homophobia is still very much around.
  • MansfieldMansfield Where the hell have you been?
    Posts: 1,263
    It gave me the goosebumps. Suppose that's something. ;)
  • edited September 2015 Posts: 1,068
    I really don't think homophobia even get's a look in with the WotW discussion (handbags?) and it's dangerous to go there. I made an earlier throwaway comment a week ago about my fears about the song from SS potentially being a bit weak and limp wristed and only after comments from other posters did I even realise SS was gay. Frankly, I have had no interest in him until his connection to Bond and don't have any issues on that score - dear me, if that's the case how can Ben Wishaw's Q have such a positive reaction prettymuch universally!?
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    andmcit wrote: »
    I really don't think homophobia even get's a look in with the WotW discussion (handbags?) and it's dangerous to go there. I made an earlier throwaway comment a week ago about my fears about the song from SS potentially being a bit weak and limp wristed and only after comments from other posters did I even realise SS was gay. Frankly, I have had no interest in him until his connection to Bond and don't have any issues on that score - dear me, if that's the case how can Ben Wishaw's Q have such a positive reaction prettymuch universally!?

    No, sorry I don't want to go there, just saying what I observed. By the way I didn't know either about Sam, I never bought his music or listened to it much.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    edited September 2015 Posts: 45,489
    andmcit wrote: »
    I really don't think homophobia even get's a look in with the WotW discussion (handbags?) and it's dangerous to go there. I made an earlier throwaway comment a week ago about my fears about the song from SS potentially being a bit weak and limp wristed and only after comments from other posters did I even realise SS was gay. Frankly, I have had no interest in him until his connection to Bond and don't have any issues on that score - dear me, if that's the case how can Ben Wishaw's Q have such a positive reaction prettymuch universally!?

    Right. If you don t like The Living Daylights, you are Norwegiophobics? It is just stupid,making arguments like that.
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