Rating the Sam Smith Spectre Theme Song
By Alex Brannan
Sam Smith’s James Bond theme and the opening title sequence are a solid effort, but they don’t live up to the best of Bond.
James Bond films are famous for their use of extended opening title sequences. The opening credits are always lavish with vibrant colors and silhouetted women. They are also accompanied by powerful ballads from acclaimed singers.
In the case of Spectre, we get the song “Writing’s On the Wall” by Sam Smith. It is a falsetto-heavy ballad, and it is the only Bond theme to ever reach number one on the single charts. The previous theme by Adele reached number two.
The song, according to The Guardian, took a mere 20 minutes for Smith to write. The Bond themes are rarely lyrically provocative, so this is excusable. However, the song is more of an imitation of what a Bond theme is meant to sound like than a memorable addition to the list of themes.
The verses hang stagnant as the titles progress, and the piano line is repetitive. When the horns drop in intermittently, it sounds more like a classic Bond theme. But then Smith comes in with his falsetto breaks, which feel out of place in the context of the song. The only resoundingly positive parts of the song are when Smith breaks into the hook: “If I risk it all / could you break my fall?”
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What the song builds to, the final hurrah of Smith belting “the writing’s on the wall,” is more anti-climactic than it is satisfying. And, ultimately, it doesn’t drive the viewer into the James Bond experience like it is meant to do.
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