The name's Barry, John Barry
January 31, 2011 2:54 AM Subscribe
RIP John Barry, composer of the soundtracks of 11 James Bond films and many others including Midnight Cowboy. He won Oscars for Born Free (for best song and best score), The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves.
Dr No (theme by Monty Norman arranged by Barry)
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
The Lion In Winter
Born Free
Out of Africa
Dances With Wolves
Zulu
The Ipcress File
Midnight Cowboy
The Persuaders!
For Your Ears Only - documentary on BBC Archive
Previously
Dr No (theme by Monty Norman arranged by Barry)
From Russia With Love
Goldfinger
The Lion In Winter
Born Free
Out of Africa
Dances With Wolves
Zulu
The Ipcress File
Midnight Cowboy
The Persuaders!
For Your Ears Only - documentary on BBC Archive
Previously
Jebus, what a body of work.
Born Free made me bawl my eyes out as a kid.
Thank you John Barry, RIP.
posted by Duke999R at 3:12 AM on January 31, 2011
Born Free made me bawl my eyes out as a kid.
Thank you John Barry, RIP.
posted by Duke999R at 3:12 AM on January 31, 2011
The classic Bond films owe such an enormous part of their effectiveness to his soundtracks.
This. Absolutely on a par with the contributions of Mr. Connery and perhaps more so.
posted by three blind mice at 3:25 AM on January 31, 2011
This. Absolutely on a par with the contributions of Mr. Connery and perhaps more so.
posted by three blind mice at 3:25 AM on January 31, 2011
I like the Midnight Cowboy theme. It's a really beautiful song. And people forget that it's not Everybody's talking at me.
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:36 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by twoleftfeet at 3:36 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
Theme to Dr. No is more commonly referred to as the James Bond Theme.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:38 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:38 AM on January 31, 2011
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A great miss.
Perhaps 77 is a dangerous age when you're so connected with James Bond.
posted by charles kaapjes at 3:52 AM on January 31, 2011
A great miss.
Perhaps 77 is a dangerous age when you're so connected with James Bond.
posted by charles kaapjes at 3:52 AM on January 31, 2011
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Now to listen to the theme to Beat Girl.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 4:02 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Now to listen to the theme to Beat Girl.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 4:02 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Damn. I was watching Goldfinger just last night and remarking to myself for the umpteenth time how good the score is.
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posted by usonian at 4:26 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by usonian at 4:26 AM on January 31, 2011
Pretty sure Fatboy Slim samples Beat Girl somewhere. Also, no love for Bruce Lee movies?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:34 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:34 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by Smart Dalek at 4:37 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:37 AM on January 31, 2011
You Only Live Twice.
posted by ovvl at 4:37 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 4:37 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
PeterMcDermott: "Beat Girl" was sampled [and mashed up with part of "I fought the Law(and the Law Won)"] for "The Rockafeller Skank". The Damned also covered the tune for their Phantasmagoria release.
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:43 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:43 AM on January 31, 2011
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I grew up listening to my Dad sing Born Free as we worked together on the market. Thanks for the memories Mr Barry.
posted by arcticseal at 4:49 AM on January 31, 2011
I grew up listening to my Dad sing Born Free as we worked together on the market. Thanks for the memories Mr Barry.
posted by arcticseal at 4:49 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by El Brendano at 4:55 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by El Brendano at 4:55 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by LittleKnitting at 5:49 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by LittleKnitting at 5:49 AM on January 31, 2011
One of my favorite moments in going to the movies is the scene in "Out of Africa" where the Redford character shows up with the airplane for the first time and takes Karen Blixen (M. Streep) up over the Rift Valley and the Barry score is playing loud and flocks of flamingos and antelopes and buffalos are dancing all around below. And then the end of the movie with the lion on the Redford character's grave and the Barry score is playing soft.
That movie in particular is inconceivable to me with his music.
posted by bukvich at 6:20 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
That movie in particular is inconceivable to me with his music.
posted by bukvich at 6:20 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
In my opinion, his best Bond work was on On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Not just the score, but his song We Have All the Time in the World he composed and sung by Louis Armstrong is still the best Bond song by far.
posted by Fortran at 6:38 AM on January 31, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Fortran at 6:38 AM on January 31, 2011 [4 favorites]
What a lifetime of accomplishment! Now that's what you want to leave behind.
He is not forgotten. He will be remembered. Thanks for the memories, Mr Barry!
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posted by humannaire at 6:38 AM on January 31, 2011
He is not forgotten. He will be remembered. Thanks for the memories, Mr Barry!
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posted by humannaire at 6:38 AM on January 31, 2011
We Have All the Time in the World (apparently not)
posted by puny human at 6:41 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by puny human at 6:41 AM on January 31, 2011
dammit fortran.
posted by puny human at 6:43 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by puny human at 6:43 AM on January 31, 2011
On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Best Bond theme ever.
posted by mazola at 6:46 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best Bond theme ever.
posted by mazola at 6:46 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
John Barry made James Bond the movie icon he is. The films would've been entertaining, but nothing as spectacular. There's just something wonderfully conspiratorial about that theme. And without it, just think of the wonderful derivatives we'd miss. I doubt we'd have all of Laurie Johnson's amazing theme work (The Prisoner, The Avengers). Truly, a genius.
posted by grabbingsand at 6:56 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by grabbingsand at 6:56 AM on January 31, 2011
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Glad to see Barry is getting a lot of respect here. The Bond theme is one of the soundtrack songs of my childhood.
posted by immlass at 7:14 AM on January 31, 2011
Glad to see Barry is getting a lot of respect here. The Bond theme is one of the soundtrack songs of my childhood.
posted by immlass at 7:14 AM on January 31, 2011
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> Not just the score, but his song We Have All the Time in the World...
Damn, I had no idea that was his tune; I only knew it via the Fun Lovin' Criminals cover.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:29 AM on January 31, 2011
> Not just the score, but his song We Have All the Time in the World...
Damn, I had no idea that was his tune; I only knew it via the Fun Lovin' Criminals cover.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:29 AM on January 31, 2011
He also composed the theme to Disney's The Black Hole, one of my favorite film scores.
posted by quibx at 7:45 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by quibx at 7:45 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 8:29 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 8:29 AM on January 31, 2011
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My father introduced me to Fleming's novels at age seven. I started watching the films a short time later. Barry's themes and vision was instrumental in the development of my musical tastes. One of the greats.
posted by NationalKato at 8:34 AM on January 31, 2011
My father introduced me to Fleming's novels at age seven. I started watching the films a short time later. Barry's themes and vision was instrumental in the development of my musical tastes. One of the greats.
posted by NationalKato at 8:34 AM on January 31, 2011
As a child the theme music from The Persuaders struck me always as compellingly whistful. As if all the derringdo from that series was seen through the caleidoscope of impermanence.
A very strange tune for an action tv series.
posted by joost de vries at 8:43 AM on January 31, 2011
A very strange tune for an action tv series.
posted by joost de vries at 8:43 AM on January 31, 2011
I used to have this song on a mix in my car, and whenever it would come on, you suddenly would start taking the curves a little more dangerously and checking the rear-view for any aston martins on your tail.
posted by puny human at 8:47 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by puny human at 8:47 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
David Arnold (Composer for the last five Bond films and a huge fan of Barry) has started a campaign on twitter to get 'We Have All the Time in the World' to number one.
His tribute on the BBC's website
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:49 AM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
His tribute on the BBC's website
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:49 AM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
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posted by heatvision at 8:53 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by heatvision at 8:53 AM on January 31, 2011
You Only Live Twice
Lara Tan & The Trailers (mandarin)
Sir Julian & Elliott Fisher (lounge)
Anthony And The Imperials
posted by puny human at 9:26 AM on January 31, 2011
Lara Tan & The Trailers (mandarin)
Sir Julian & Elliott Fisher (lounge)
Anthony And The Imperials
posted by puny human at 9:26 AM on January 31, 2011
It's worth noting that there is a dispute over the authorship of the James Bond theme, which essentially created the sound we now think of as spy movie music. Barry claimed to have written it, but royalties go to Monty Norman, who has a credible story about how he conceived it -- that it was inspired by the song "Good Sign, Bad Sign" from the film "A House for Mr. Biswas."
This is an extremely interesting video that has the "Biswas" theme, but also points out how much of the distinctive sound drew from Barry's past compositions (Barry certainly arranged the song, and it is the arrangement as much as the riff that we think of as the Bond theme). I remember reading an interview with Barry where he said, basically, listen to Norman's compositions, then listen to mine, and you tell me who wrote the song.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:30 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is an extremely interesting video that has the "Biswas" theme, but also points out how much of the distinctive sound drew from Barry's past compositions (Barry certainly arranged the song, and it is the arrangement as much as the riff that we think of as the Bond theme). I remember reading an interview with Barry where he said, basically, listen to Norman's compositions, then listen to mine, and you tell me who wrote the song.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:30 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't forget Diamonds are Forever. As a certifiable Bond junkie, I maintain that it's the best theme ever.
We'll miss you John Barry.
posted by Go Banana at 9:30 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
We'll miss you John Barry.
posted by Go Banana at 9:30 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dr No (theme by Monty Norman arranged by Barry)
Without taking sides, should be noted: That's debatable.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:39 AM on January 31, 2011
Without taking sides, should be noted: That's debatable.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:39 AM on January 31, 2011
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That Diamonds are Forever is a fabulous arrangement.
posted by MisterMo at 9:41 AM on January 31, 2011
That Diamonds are Forever is a fabulous arrangement.
posted by MisterMo at 9:41 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by Superfrankenstein at 9:44 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by Superfrankenstein at 9:44 AM on January 31, 2011
I love the theme from Goldfinger.
Bassey's howl is legendary, but I quite like the Anthony Newley demo (he co-wrote it) that was not used. It's very creepy and sinister in ways that are obscured by Shirley's belting.
In the same vein, there was Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, an unused song intended for Thunderball (based on the name he is given by the Japanese in You Only Live Twice). In the end they decided they needed the film title in the song.
As a certified Bond fanatic, the Barry music I truly miss is the alternate "heroic" James Bond theme called simply "007". It's used in action sequences (e.g. the helicopter chase in From Russia With Love) at least once in most of the 60s films, but hasn't been heard from since.
Of the themes, my favorite is On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
posted by dhartung at 10:25 AM on January 31, 2011 [4 favorites]
Bassey's howl is legendary, but I quite like the Anthony Newley demo (he co-wrote it) that was not used. It's very creepy and sinister in ways that are obscured by Shirley's belting.
In the same vein, there was Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, an unused song intended for Thunderball (based on the name he is given by the Japanese in You Only Live Twice). In the end they decided they needed the film title in the song.
As a certified Bond fanatic, the Barry music I truly miss is the alternate "heroic" James Bond theme called simply "007". It's used in action sequences (e.g. the helicopter chase in From Russia With Love) at least once in most of the 60s films, but hasn't been heard from since.
Of the themes, my favorite is On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
posted by dhartung at 10:25 AM on January 31, 2011 [4 favorites]
the alternate "heroic" James Bond theme called simply "007"
Known in my family as the "dit-dit dit-dit dit-dit-dit doo-doo" theme. Didn't realize it had a more convenient name.
posted by Iridic at 10:40 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
Known in my family as the "dit-dit dit-dit dit-dit-dit doo-doo" theme. Didn't realize it had a more convenient name.
posted by Iridic at 10:40 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]
I love him forever just for writing this (Eleanor's Arrival, from the Lion in Winter).
posted by jokeefe at 10:57 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by jokeefe at 10:57 AM on January 31, 2011
dhartung, that 007 link is the exact version I was looking for. Same song, but shorter, and more emphasis on the tympani and french horns. The Barry cd I ripped it from had it listed as "Heroe's Theme."
From the you tube comments in my link, it seems it was copied almost note for note in a Japanese anime movie called Neon Genesis Evangelion.
posted by puny human at 11:18 AM on January 31, 2011
From the you tube comments in my link, it seems it was copied almost note for note in a Japanese anime movie called Neon Genesis Evangelion.
posted by puny human at 11:18 AM on January 31, 2011
I had iTunes on random soundtrack this morning, and both the John Dunbar theme from Dances With Wolves and the Out of Africa soundtrack came up.
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posted by Chanther at 11:23 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by Chanther at 11:23 AM on January 31, 2011
When I was a child, the most intoxicating thing for me was music, even though what I grew up listening to were mostly TV and film themes. I was unreasonably excited by music that strayed away from the primary colours of most television music - Prokoviev, for example, would be filleted for one programme, Janáček for another, perhaps the brass chords at the beginning of the second movement of the New World Symphony (that Hans Zimmer nicked for Inception) - I knew nothing about how it worked, it just seemed to be coming from another world. Barry's music (when I got to hear it, going to see re-runs of old Bond movies at the local fleapit) was a parallel universe. I had the album of Thunderball (from some record sale or other) which I played to death. Those amazing, sombre tonalities that no one else seemed to bother with.
I've a band rehearsal at the weekend. Good time to resurrect that cover of Vendetta.
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posted by Grangousier at 11:40 AM on January 31, 2011
I've a band rehearsal at the weekend. Good time to resurrect that cover of Vendetta.
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posted by Grangousier at 11:40 AM on January 31, 2011
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posted by New England Cultist at 11:56 AM on January 31, 2011
posted by New England Cultist at 11:56 AM on January 31, 2011
Bond movies without those soundtracks, couldn't imagine that. They really added so much.
Listening to the Anthony Newley vs. reminded me of The Last Shadow Puppets [yeah, Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner's side project], The Age of the Understatement [Live], which also begs for a movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyK79PHTiKw
and
My Mistakes Were Made For You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23PkA3G6NL8&feature=related
Thanks for the beautiful, Mr. Barry. peace.
posted by alicesshoe at 12:18 PM on January 31, 2011
Listening to the Anthony Newley vs. reminded me of The Last Shadow Puppets [yeah, Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner's side project], The Age of the Understatement [Live], which also begs for a movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyK79PHTiKw
and
My Mistakes Were Made For You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23PkA3G6NL8&feature=related
Thanks for the beautiful, Mr. Barry. peace.
posted by alicesshoe at 12:18 PM on January 31, 2011
Mr Barry, you truly were the Man with the Midas Touch.
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posted by crossoverman at 12:33 PM on January 31, 2011
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posted by crossoverman at 12:33 PM on January 31, 2011
grabbingsand, Ron Grainer did the theme for The Prisoner. (I point this out only to highlight his awesomeness.)
posted by Put the kettle on at 3:18 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by Put the kettle on at 3:18 PM on January 31, 2011
My favorite use of the "Bond Theme" was in the MST3K episode Agent for H.A.R.M., where Mike and the 'bots throw it back at the screen (first shown at 4:42) to point out just how boring the secret agent in their film is.
posted by gern at 3:31 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by gern at 3:31 PM on January 31, 2011
The them to Somewhere in Time, one of the more delicate and beautiful scores I know.
♪
posted by tzikeh at 4:11 PM on January 31, 2011
♪
posted by tzikeh at 4:11 PM on January 31, 2011
You Only Live Twice or so it seems,
One life for yourself and one for your dreams.
You drift through the years and life seems tame,
Till one dream appears and love is its name.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.
This dream is for you, so pay the price.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.
The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
posted by ovvl at 4:58 PM on January 31, 2011
One life for yourself and one for your dreams.
You drift through the years and life seems tame,
Till one dream appears and love is its name.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.
This dream is for you, so pay the price.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice.
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on,
Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone.
The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
posted by ovvl at 4:58 PM on January 31, 2011
No obit for John Barry would be complete with a mention that he wrote the soundtrack to "Star Crash," one of my all-time favorite movies. RIP Mr. Barry.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:28 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:28 PM on January 31, 2011
If he had only written the "Somewhere in Time" and "Dances with Wolves" scores, that might have cemented his reputation right there. I don't think anyone mentioned "Body Heat" and "The Cotton Club" either. A great place to start with John Barry is the "Moviola" CD, which has lots of great themes he did. A class act, he is sorely missed -- one the last true romantics of film scoring.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 10:51 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 10:51 PM on January 31, 2011
Addendum: John Barry also composed the score for the 1992 "Chaplin" movie (which is also one of actor Robert Downey Jr.'s greatest-- and sadly overlooked -- achievements.) Here is the sadly haunting opening and theme (music starts about :30 in)
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 11:09 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 11:09 PM on January 31, 2011
John Barry: a life in clips - some interesting stuff here, esp on him recyling the Star Crash score for Out Of Africa
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:30 AM on February 1, 2011
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:30 AM on February 1, 2011
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RIP John Barry.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:02 AM on January 31, 2011