John Barry's Masterpiece: The Music of On Her Majesty's Secret Service 

Couldn't agree more! This has to be Barry's best Bond score ever!!

You Only Live Twice and On Her Majesty's Service are my two favorite Bond scores.

My favorite score in the Bond series is The Living Daylights. As John Barries swan song to the Bond series he takes full uses of light-motifs to make one of the most memorable scores, heck he even stars in the movie in a cameo. If anyone is intrested listen to: Exercises at Gibralta, Ice Chase, Hercules Takes Off and In Flight Fight. All are some of my favorite tracks.

The cinematography of this movie is ahead of it's time

I´ve not only always found the theme music to be fantastic ski music but I´ve also always been amazed by Barry´s music for the helicopter ride up to Blofeld´s mountain-top hide-out. I lived in that part of Switzerland for five years and have never ever heard music that re-captivated the sheer majesty and spectacular beauty of those mountains anywhere near as good as this.

Peter Hunt did a masterful job directing this movie and I don't think he ever got as much credit as he deserved. My favorite part is the sequence that starts with Bond escaping from Piz Gloria and ends with Bond's proposal to Tracy.

OHMSS is not only my favorite 007 score, but my favorite film score of all. Two cues that aren’t mentioned very often, which I truly adore are “Over and Out” and the short, untitled “skaters waltz” theme that is heard when Bond is attempting to allude the SPECTRE ski men just prior to meeting up with Tracy. One track in particular which I wish had made it into the film is Barry’s “The More Things Change”.

Dude, good work. A mighty score indeed, and one of the reasons OHMSS is my favourite Bond movie by miles. Thanks for that.

I hated this film when I first saw it. But as I've aged I realise this is miles ahead of the rest. It's a masterpiece.

Great video! The music of this film is absolutely amazing.

Barry was told to make this the best possible soundtrack to cover for Connery not being there. He totally knocked it out of the park. The main theme is easily the best. I'm a musician and composer and for me, the modulation and instrumentation is impeccable. It never gets called the best theme but it's way superior to all that followed, and many that followed are classics.

I am very happy that this nice young man has connected with OHMSS. I was just 11 when I first saw Majesty's in 1974 in the theatre, Christmas Eve. The music was so special, starting with the gunbarrel having that synthesised sound! I fell in love with OHMSS (I was already in love with Mrs. Peel from The Avengers) and the Aston Martin DBS, which features more prominently in this film than any other car had previously, including the DB5. I so connected with this world of 007, especially this film, that I made it a lifelong goal to own and restore a 1969 Aston Martin DBS, which I am finishing this year! AR-7 rifle in the glovebox (prop), Olive paint, and a Gucci bag in the back. I would be honoured to present this car to you, young man, upon her completion. The soundtrack album came to me quite by accident. Naturally, none of the local mall type record stores carried it, and I hated those places as they would play loud pop music, and the people there had long hair. On the way to Disneyland, my mother and sister wanted some Myrtlewood bs item, so we found the only parking spot, which was right in front of Wallach's Music! I dashed in, and there it was, in the showtunes section between "On Golden Pond" (Eeeew) and "On the Waterfront." I scraped together enough money to buy the soundtrack, and played it for years until it wore out. The only photo of that DBS was the roofline shot on the back of the album cover, and it took years for me to finally track down a full photo of the car that I was in love with- an enigmatic model that nobody seemed to know about. You remind me a great deal of a younger me. Good for you, and keep learning about the world of Bond. Cheers, Tom

Favourite movie sound track of all time

Brilliant summarization and review of one of John Barry's master pieces. I've watched it 3 times. As a massive fan of John Barry's work and Bond, i truly appreciate your indepth study on OHMSS and how the music works entwined with the screenplay, the love relationship and the plot. All the skill of the tricks of the trade are explained very well, which Barry delivers. I believe personally it is the best Bond score, overall, even though there are numerous very close contenders. And has to be in his top 5 scores, ever.

With that said, this is IMO one of the greatest films of all time, let alone bond films. It's right up there with Raiders of the Lost Ark in terms of being a vintage action adventure masterpiece.

As with the rest of the film, this score represents the best of the series, by far! All in support of the best Bond, George Lazenby. And who could fail to be moved by Louis Armstrong’s rendition of “We Have All The Time In The World”?

For me, it works because it's scoring a film in a franchise that is daring to do new things. First time there was a new Bond. Bond gets married. Instrumental theme just like in Dr. No, which was also as we know, the first film. The sound and feeling in OHMSS theme is fantastic and moving.

Excellent summary of this fantastic movie. Thank you so much! Cheers, Eddy.

Loved your analysis and appreciation of what for me is THE quintessential "Bond" soundtrack! The kicker is you look like your only 15 years old!

Don't forget there's another song in this movie. "Do you know how Christmas trees are grown" may play at the ice skating rink as if it's an established song when it was actually written for the movie by Barry and Hal David. I can't understand how it didn't become a hit since there arent enough famous Christmas song to play without repeating every few days. Do we really need to hear Jingle Bell Rock for the 50th time in the last 2 weeks instead of this? Having a children's chorus makes it thematically similar to Happy Christmas (War is Over) and that song gets played like crazy.

Great analysis. I listened to this soundtrack in my car's cassette player until it wouldn't play anymore. John Barry was a genius, and you can recognize his style in dozens of other film scores (Somewhere In Time, Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa to name just a few.) My vote for best Bond theme song, however, is Moonraker by Shirley Bassey.

I love how each Bond film has its own leitmotif. It makes each film beautifully unique

Great analysis. While this was reprised just a bit in No Time to Die and in one of the Spectre trailers, I felt it should have been used much, much more.

His best Bond score to the best Bond movie ever, even the almighty Craig ripped it off as his swan song even down to the Louis Armstrong hit. One track of Barry's I'd love to see and hear again IS '007' last heard in Moonraker, 43 years ago.

Fantastic analysis! This has to be my favorite video so far. There’s so much thought that went into connecting theme and score that I previously didn’t pay much attention to. Thanks for highlighting this score!

Mate - that was really good! You look about 14 but I learnt something new today. Thanks for your effort on this. And - this is probably not just the best Bond score, but the best score of any movie, ever.

Gee dude for a chap who has yet to have his first shave..... you bloody nailed it!!!! You deserve a knighthood!!!! OHMSS...... the greatest Bond film OHMSS...... the greatest theme music OHMSS..... the greatest action shots OHMSS....... the greatest book Fleming wrote OHMSS..... just bloody brilliant!!!! Well done Sir!!!!! Kindest regards Ian 👨‍🎤⚠️⚠️😇🤔😎👍✊🇺🇦✊🇳🇿

Your quality is surprisingly amazing for your channel’s size. Subscribed.

Best one yet, Peter! Looking forward to the next one! (Happy Birthday also!)

Please, take this as a compliment but, until you appeared at the end, I hadn’t realised you were a “youngster”. That’s because your commentary was so bang-on and insightful, I’d assumed you must be well… older; a PhD musicologist or something. This was a brilliant assessment, it really was. Well done and thank you!

I’ve always loved this score, and your analysis adds even more layers to my appreciation of it. Keep up the good work! And yes, I just subscribed!

Film scores don't come any better than this

Best Bond film by far!

Only fitting that the best Bond film ever would have the best bond score! Great analysis, dude!👍

Great video bro! I don't know if you're still making these but I know I'd be fascinated to see a similar dissection of a Bond score that you hate! I'm intrigued by Goldeneye especially

I mostly agree with this video, but I disagree with the idea that the scores for The Spy Who Loves Me and Goldeneye undermined those films. They give each film a sense of uniqueness that helps them stand out. That's not to say that the other films are too traditional or safe, but, rather that switching up the formula from time to time can be fresh.

John Barry's "Mountain Theme" is both thrilling and majestic. One of the finest if not the finest cue in all the Bond movies.

Would love to see a video on View To A Kill. Probably my favorite Bond track from Barry.

Nobody does it better... than Lazemby

I personally love the soundtrack to The Spy Who Loved Me! It’s great! Other than that I agree with everything you said.

Major respect chap for this great analysis 👌🏻

Nice work, dude!

This is a great analysis! You picked up on some things I never noticed. This is one of my favourite Bond scores along with Moonraker and The Living Daylights. I'd love to hear your takes on those two.

Thank you for the music analysis. Always liked this Bond theme. Aren't we glad the current Bond film "No Time To Die" used "We have All The Time in The World" as the theme for Bond and Madeline?

David R Lentz, USA Well, Peter (I have been unable to determine your surname, that I could address you properly) you have a surprising brilliance and a smooth wherewithal with motion picture scoring and its musicality that belies your young years! I wish you every success, creatively in your arts; reputationally, as you grow in station and stature; materially, in your deserved financial success, and in all the avenues of life.

Another Barry masterpiece. The score should have been an Academy Award winner. Considering his lack of acting experience Lazenby did a good job. If Connery had starred in this it would have been the greatest Bond ever.

I think Hamlish's score is effective, although more limited than typical EON Bond music, in 'TSWLM'. I don't believe that his music is in the same category as 'Goldeneye' or 'Never Say Never Again', which were misconceived/inadequately executed. Barry's 'OHMSS' is really the only time he was given the opportunity to compose a more emotional score for a properly grounded Bond film. As consistently strong as his music was during the first 10 years approx of the series, most of his music was used to support the style of the films, not really the emphasis characterisation or story telling. As much as I (like almost anyone) grew up admiring Barry's 007 work and still enjoy listening to it today.....to be honest it is mainly there to re-enforce the tone of the films and so lacks that something magical that he and other composers could provide for other films/series. 'OHMSS' is the sole exception and that surely has to do with Peter Hunt's determination to make a film that would not just be a fine Bond film, but a recognisably fine film in a more traditional sense.

My favourite Bond score. The newer theme songs after Casino Royale are getting worse and worse.

I would have to say Man with the Golden Gun has my favorite transitional instrumental music as Bond approaches the villian’s island.

I love how your two exemple of a poor score can have as an impact on the movies given that these are among the really good to great bond films there is :P and im pretty sure there were synthesisers before in movies especially in science fiction movies like forbiden planet in 1956 to evoke the mysteries of space but they weren't used in the way barry used them in a spy-action movie.. that being said nice video about clearly one of the best bond score there is John barry created and mastered the "bond sound" and that's an incredible accomplishment add that to his other amazing scores to which he won quite a few oscars gotta love his incredible sound and style

we used we have all the time in the world song as our wedding theme.

The best bond george lazenby and she always wonderful 007

I've always loved the movie license to kill I'd like it if they would do a video on the score of license to kill even the James Bond theme song was changed to a more exciting sound

Top Video…this is best song of john barry in a bond movie

good information

The first major film to use the Moog synthesizer. You can hear the opening chords on the moog. That's not a guitar playing the opening chords. Plus no celebrity vocalist in the theme. John Barry also did Born Free, Midnight Cowboy Dances with Wolves The lion in winter and countless others. I think he is WAY more important than John Williams.

Under a minute in and I’m being told TSWLM has a poor score…EXCUSE ME?! Though I agree with your analysis of OHMSS

Would love to see your thoughts on the no time to die score

Thunderball Music Be Analyzed For Uncut Soundtrack.Since John Barry Had Released LP Album Not All Tracks or Completed Score.

Well, as the decades have passed a non- John Barry written (A John Barry Homage so to speak) has risen quite markedly in significance. I am speaker of “License To Kill” , sung by Gladys Knight. Musically derivative of The “Goldfinger” theme song, it seems to combine the best thematic elements of John Barry, and - I believe - The Motown sound. Naturally it becomes ironic that maybe the best James Bond theme song is not written by Barry himself. I would add that theme to this title track is not effectively utilized in the movie score.

I agree, this is one of the best Bond scores. Just one correction though, it’s Jon Burlingame not Burlinhame.

We Have All The Time In The World not used in the safecracking sequence.

I will NOT accept any slander against Marvin Hamlisch's score for The Spy Who Loved Me... it's a fun and groovy soundtrack for a Bond movie made in the late 70s...

I never understood why the 1962 twangy guitar JB theme was sanctioned by Hunt in the Piz Gloria battle. You would think he’d let Barry at least re-orchestrate the theme using the Moog synthesizer in low register, somewhat like the opening gun barrel. As it is, the ‘62 version of the theme is the only incongruous musical element in OHMSS-Barry was right to protest its inclusion.

👍

It was that.

Yep. It's his best score and that's saying something.

GoldenEye's race score was good imo

Yeah propellerheads agrees too!

😭

Fine video but.... The spy who loved me and GoldenEye didn´t have poor scores... WTF. Bond77 is fantastic. You can´t judge the entire score for GoldenEye from the worst track on the soundtrack. The rest of the soundtrack is amazing - well not the original tank chase music but other than that. Btw From Russia With Love didn´t have a lyrical title song. The title sequence music was instrumental. You forgot to say, that the tune from the Theme tune is actually used at the end of Gumbolds safe. It would have been nice to hear you talk about some of the other cues. I think it makes an impact that the tune from the fight on the beach in the opening is used for the bobsled fight towards the end.

x

Don't forget the wonderful 'Who Will Buy My Yesterdays?' which was re-recorded for the album 'Ready When You Are' issued in 1970. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TaCFGU843Cs.html

Music ending time to die

I'm going to disagree with the commenters regarding OHMSS. To me this Bond movie isn't very good and not many people remember this movie in between Connery's last two official Bond Movies, "You Only Live Twice" and "Diamonds are Forever". I think the following reasons are why I don't like this movie: 1. The cinematography is terrible. It's like some "Pshcyadelic Bond" movie. Completely shot differently than the last two Connery movies 2. Telly Savalas is the worst Blofeld up until Spectre. The Chateau on the mountain sequence also took away from this movie. 3. Yes, Diana Rigg was beautiful and a great Bond girl, but the pairing was awful with Lazenby. If Connery had made this movie, it would have been a much better pairing. 4. Bond getting married and having "The Countess" killed not even 5 minutes afterward really hurt this film. Bond shouldn't be married. This also hurt Daniel Craig's run as Bond. 5. The beach scene seems uneven and not filmed very well. This also applies to the general plot of this movie is uneven. 6. Lastly, I think Saltzman and Broccoli did everything they could to compensate for the lack of Lazenby's acting talent, but it wasn't enough. The problems were trying to fill Connery's shoes and the fact he never made another Bond film. Walking away from the role hurt his acting career and the reputation of this movie. There wasn't another movie to compare how well or not his acting was in this movie. Even Timothy Dalton made two Bond films. That's just my observations and opinion of the movie.

This makes Bond seem like a wimp. Not the best Bond film by a long shot.