On Her Majesty's Secret Service (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the soundtrack for the 6th James Bond
film of the same name
.
Once again, the soundtrack to this James Bond adventure was composed, arranged, and conducted by John Barry
; it was his fifth successive Bond film.
The opening theme proved a challenge; the convention was to have a song and include the film's title in the lyrics, and the film became the first in the series since From Russia with Love
to deviate from this rule. John Barry felt it would be difficult to compose a theme song containing the title "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" unless it was written operatically, in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan
. Leslie Bricusse
had considered lyrics for the title song but director Peter R. Hunt allowed an instrumental title theme in the tradition of the first two Bond films. The track is notable for its incorporation of the Moog synthesizer
in its recurring bassline - the first time this instrument had been heard in a film soundtrack. Its distinctive sound would become a mainstay of soundtracks in the 1970s.
The theme, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", is used in the film as an action theme alternate to Monty Norman
's "James Bond Theme
", as is the case with Barry's previous "007" theme. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was remixed in 1997 by the Propellerheads
for the Shaken and Stirred album. Barry-orchestrator Nic Raine recorded an arrangement of the escape from Piz Gloria sequence and it was featured as a theme in the trailers for the 2004
Pixar
animated film The Incredibles
.
The 1962 "James Bond Theme" by Monty Norman, first played in Dr. No
, was heard for the last time in a Bond film to date. The 1962 version was used throughout Sean Connery's tenure from 1962 to 1967. Since then, the Bond theme has been rearranged in many ways after OHMSS.
Barry also composed the love song, "We Have All the Time in the World
", sung by Louis Armstrong
. With lyrics by Burt Bacharach's regular lyricist Hal David, it is heard during the Bond–Tracy courtship montage, bridging Draco's birthday party in Portugal and Bond's burglary of the Gebrüder Gumbold law office in Bern, Switzerland. "We Have All the Time in the World" is often mistakenly referred to as the opening credits theme. It was Louis Armstrong's last recorded song (he died of a heart attack
two years later.). At the time, the song barely made an impact on the charts. Years later though, it became very well known, thanks largely to its use in a Guinness advertising campaign, and is now considered among the finest of Barry's songs for the franchise.
Due to legal reasons, tracks 12 to 21 were later added at the end of the 2003 re-release of the soundtrack, rather than in film order.
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film of the same name
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the sixth spy film in the James Bond series, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. Following the decision of Sean Connery to retire from the role after You Only Live Twice, Eon Productions selected an unknown actor and model, George Lazenby...
.
Once again, the soundtrack to this James Bond adventure was composed, arranged, and conducted by John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
; it was his fifth successive Bond film.
The opening theme proved a challenge; the convention was to have a song and include the film's title in the lyrics, and the film became the first in the series since From Russia with Love
From Russia with Love (film)
From Russia with Love is the second in the James Bond spy film series, and the second to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Released in 1963, the film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, and directed by Terence Young. It is based on the 1957 novel of the...
to deviate from this rule. John Barry felt it would be difficult to compose a theme song containing the title "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" unless it was written operatically, in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan . The two men collaborated on fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which H.M.S...
. Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
had considered lyrics for the title song but director Peter R. Hunt allowed an instrumental title theme in the tradition of the first two Bond films. The track is notable for its incorporation of the Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
in its recurring bassline - the first time this instrument had been heard in a film soundtrack. Its distinctive sound would become a mainstay of soundtracks in the 1970s.
The theme, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", is used in the film as an action theme alternate to Monty Norman
Monty Norman
Monty Norman is a singer and film composer best known for being credited with composing the "James Bond Theme".-Biography:...
's "James Bond Theme
James Bond Theme
The "James Bond Theme" is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in almost every James Bond film....
", as is the case with Barry's previous "007" theme. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was remixed in 1997 by the Propellerheads
Propellerheads
Propellerheads were a British big beat musical ensemble, formed in 1995 and made up of electronic producers Will White and Alex Gifford. The term propellerhead is slang for a nerd, and when Gifford and White heard a friend from California use this in a conversation, they thought it the perfect name...
for the Shaken and Stirred album. Barry-orchestrator Nic Raine recorded an arrangement of the escape from Piz Gloria sequence and it was featured as a theme in the trailers for the 2004
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
Pixar
Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios, pronounced , is an American computer animation film studio based in Emeryville, California. The studio has earned 26 Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and three Grammy Awards, among many other awards and acknowledgments. Its films have made over $6.3 billion worldwide...
animated film The Incredibles
The Incredibles
The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated action-comedy superhero film about a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers. It was written and directed by Brad Bird, a former director and executive consultant of The Simpsons, and was produced by Pixar and distributed by...
.
The 1962 "James Bond Theme" by Monty Norman, first played in Dr. No
Dr. No (film)
Dr. No is a 1962 spy film, starring Sean Connery; it is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name, it was adapted by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather and was directed by Terence Young. The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R...
, was heard for the last time in a Bond film to date. The 1962 version was used throughout Sean Connery's tenure from 1962 to 1967. Since then, the Bond theme has been rearranged in many ways after OHMSS.
Barry also composed the love song, "We Have All the Time in the World
We Have All the Time in the World
"We Have All the Time in the World" is a James Bond theme and popular song sung by Louis Armstrong. Its music was composed by John Barry and the lyrics by Hal David. It is a secondary musical theme in 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the title theme being the instrumental "On...
", sung by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
. With lyrics by Burt Bacharach's regular lyricist Hal David, it is heard during the Bond–Tracy courtship montage, bridging Draco's birthday party in Portugal and Bond's burglary of the Gebrüder Gumbold law office in Bern, Switzerland. "We Have All the Time in the World" is often mistakenly referred to as the opening credits theme. It was Louis Armstrong's last recorded song (he died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
two years later.). At the time, the song barely made an impact on the charts. Years later though, it became very well known, thanks largely to its use in a Guinness advertising campaign, and is now considered among the finest of Barry's songs for the franchise.
Track listing
- "We Have All the Time in the WorldWe Have All the Time in the World"We Have All the Time in the World" is a James Bond theme and popular song sung by Louis Armstrong. Its music was composed by John Barry and the lyrics by Hal David. It is a secondary musical theme in 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the title theme being the instrumental "On...
" – Louis ArmstrongLouis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana.... - "This Never Happened to the Other Feller"
- "Try"
- "Ski Chase"
- "Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?" – NinaNina van PallandtNina, Baroness van Pallandt is a Danish singer and actress.-Personal life:Born Nina Magdelene Møller-Hasselbalch, she married Frederik, Baron van Pallandt in 1960. They formed a singing duo, Nina & Frederik, and achieved worldwide popularity with their calypso-style songs...
- "On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Main Title)"
- "Journey to Blofeld's Hideaway"
- "We Have All the Time in the World (Instrumental)"
- "Over and Out"
- "Battle at Piz Gloria"
- "We Have All the Time in the World/James Bond ThemeJames Bond ThemeThe "James Bond Theme" is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in almost every James Bond film....
" - "Journey to Draco's Hideaway" (contains previously unreleased music within cue)
- "Bond and Draco"
- "Gumbold's Safe"
- "Bond Settles In"
- "Bond Meets the Girls"
- "Dusk at Piz Gloria"
- "Sir Hilary's Night Out (Who Will Buy My Yesterdays?)"
- "Blofeld's Plot"
- "Escape from Piz Gloria"
- "Bobsled Chase"
Due to legal reasons, tracks 12 to 21 were later added at the end of the 2003 re-release of the soundtrack, rather than in film order.
Track listing (in chronological order, as they appear in the film)
- "This Never Happened to the Other Feller"
- "On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Main Title)"
- "Try"
- "We Have All the Time in the World (Instrumental)"
- "Journey to Draco's Hideaway"
- Bond And Draco
- "We Have All the Time in the World" – Louis ArmstrongLouis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
- "Gumbold's Safe"
- "Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?" – NinaNina van PallandtNina, Baroness van Pallandt is a Danish singer and actress.-Personal life:Born Nina Magdelene Møller-Hasselbalch, she married Frederik, Baron van Pallandt in 1960. They formed a singing duo, Nina & Frederik, and achieved worldwide popularity with their calypso-style songs...
- "Journey to Blofeld's Hideaway"
- "Bond Settles In"
- "Bond Meets the Girls"
- "Dusk at Piz Gloria"
- "Sir Hilary's Night Out (Who Will Buy My Yesterdays?)"
- "Blofeld's Plot"
- "Escape from Piz Gloria"
- "Ski Chase"
- "Over and Out"
- "Battle at Piz Gloria"
- "Bobsled Chase"
- "We Have All the Time in the World/James Bond ThemeJames Bond ThemeThe "James Bond Theme" is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in almost every James Bond film....
"