BoTB 2021 Round 3 Showdown – Goldfinger
In November I started using James Bond movie theme songs for my Battle of the Bands installments. Today, resuming the series with the third film self-titled song from 1964, Goldfinger, <–link to song for reference only] first released by the amazing Shirley Bassey. Did you know that it was actually recorded first by another artist, Anthony Newley (FYI only) the same year.
Representing the women in this BoTB showdown is the recording from 2004 of the London Symphony Orchestra featuring Chaka Khan.
This may not be an entirely fair showdown but then again what do you expect to happen against a group of white heterosexual men which is solely an instrumental arrangement performed live in 2009 by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
Did you listen to both covers? Who gets your vote, Chaka Kahn or Tom Petty?
Polls close noon (EST) on Feb. 6th!
You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.
- ailovemusic (Amy) — 1st only
- Cherdo on the Flipside — retired blog
- The Doglady’s Den (Debbie) — retired member, active voter
- Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary) — 1st only
- Mike’s Ramblings — 1st & 15th
- Storms & Stardust (Kim) — no answer
- STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager) — retired member, active voter
- The Sound of One Hand Typing (John) — planning but not totally committed to 1st & 15th
- Tossing It Out (Lee) — planning but not totally committed to 1st & 15th
Next week, I’ll be back to announce the winner in this round in my 4M post, so be sure to mark your calendar to see if your favorite artist wins in this showdown. Don’t touch that dial, boys and girls! Okay, go ahead but stay tune for more C.A.A.C. programming with Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me. I’ll be back in 5 with ‘Sweet Things’ song picks spinning on the virtual turntable! X💋X💋, Cathy
24 Comments
Mike
Chaka Khan gets my vote, but Tom Petty’s version was a treat
Cathy Kennedy
Mike,
Boy, am I glad you came by! I totally forgot that I haven’t been over to your place to vote yet. smack forehead Your vote puts CHAKA KHAN in the lead by one!
Michael Todd
Yvette Marie Stevens aka Chaka Kahn gets my vote, enthusiastically. Listening to that was a world of fun.
Cathy Kennedy
Myke,
Oh WOW, now the battle is tied again with your vote for CHAKA KHAN! I always wondered if this was a stage name and now I know. It’s definitely a cool sounding name! Thanks for joining me in this showdown!
Stephen T. McCarthy
CAThy! It’s That You?!
Chaka Khan is OK… I can take her or leave her.
On the other hand, TOM & THE HEARTBREAKERS have always been a big favorite of mine in the Rock genre, and their surf guitar version of this tune was Super-Duper-Cool!
A very super-easy vote for TP&TH from me in this round of BOTB.
(All these years later, BOTB is STILL full o’ surprises, ain’t it?!)
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
Cathy Kennedy
Stephen,
Yep, it’s me! I’m happy you dropped by. I’m sure I speak for all the BoTBers when I say, we sure do miss you playing along but glad you still participate in our battles.
Oh yes, definitely this gig is always surprise. I think one way and my battles go another or it looks like this band has it in the bag, then things flip. Your vote for TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS breaks the tie place him one vote again of Chaka Khan.
Thanks for visiting, my friend!
cwmartin13
Chaka killed it, but I love, as Shady said, the Eddy-esque job TP&H did… I give Tom the narrowest of margins.
Mary B
Excellent find! I am really liking Tom Petty for this battle.
Cathy Kennedy
Mary,
Your vote for TOM PETTY ties this battle up. WOW, I was beginning to think Chaka Khan was going to win this one. Of course, it’s still early things could change! Thanks, my friend!
Debbie D.
Goldfinger was my first James Bond movie and I was hooked from the get-go! The music is a big part of the attraction and I enjoyed both covers. Chaka has a great voice but she didn’t quite live up to Shirley Bassey’s legacy. I have to agree with John. Tom Petty’s cool surf guitar vibe totally drew me in. The James Bond theme tacked on at the end sealed the deal!
Cathy Kennedy
Debbie,
The first James Bond movie I saw was “Moonraker” after we got married in 1979. Even that late in the Bond movie history theaters played the earlier films in the series which we saw on the big screen. Broadcast TV was excellent in the 80s. One or more the big networks had featured movies that played during the week and on the weekends so I managed to see the oldest Bond movies like that. We have the collection on Blu-ray now, except for maybe the last one. I’m not sure. Thanks for jumping over to pitch your toss your vote in for TOM PETTY.
messymimi's meanderings
Chaka Khan and the orchestra. The guitar work is great, but an orchestra gets me every time.
John Holton
Tom Petty’s version wasn’t just an instrumental, it was some fine surf guitar playing, and when they played the James Bond Theme at the end, they had me. Chaka’s voice is spectacular, and Lord knows I’ve had a thing for her since the Rufus days, but I gotta go with Tom.
Birgit
I didn’t expect to like Tom Petty’s version but it was quite enjoyable. I still will give it to Chaka and the London Philharmonic because of the orchestra more than Chaka’s voice that doesn’t compete at all with Shirley’s. I wonder if I would have given it to Tom if it was just Chaka with some jazzy style.
Brian
We didn’t know Tom Petty did that tune!
Cathy Kennedy
Brian,
Yeah, I didn’t know, either. This was a nice discovery. I’m unclear, though. Are you giving your vote to Tom Petty or you just don’t have a pick this time?
Arlee Bird
After listening to Chaka Khan with orchestra I figured she had this one in the bag, but then I listened to Tom Petty’s version and that took me back to those original John Barry roots of the twangy Bond themes.
My vote goes to Tom Petty.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Cathy Kennedy
Lee,
I’m so happy to see TOM PETTY scoring your vote. I was getting quite worried. I love his arrangement. Perhaps, this is an unfair match up because everyone is expecting to lyrical version of the Bond classic song. Thanks for joining the fun, my friend!
Sandee
My vote goes to Chaka Khan, although I like Tom Petty’s version too. Tough one, but I’ll stick with Chaka.
Have a fabulous day and week, Cathy. Big hug. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Sandee,
I like it when my battles are a little tough. Thanks for voting for CHAKA KHAN!
aisasami
Hey Cathy, I hope you are well. I have been ok,. been busy at work again. And working on my blog. My Battle of the Bands only the happens in first part of the month, I am so busy at work and this blog and life to do another Battle in the same month.
As for your battle, can I vote for both? I love Chaka Khan’s version and Tom’s too. It is hard to choose two really talented musicians.
Take care and stay safe.
Cathy Kennedy
Amy,
Life is busy. I will make a note that you’re doing the battles at the beginning of the month. Thanks for letting me know. I’m sorry you couldn’t choose a favorite artist in this round. Unfortunately, I can’t split the vote between the two. 🙁 Have a good day!
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy Monday, BOTB Day and First of February, dear friend! I hope you and DH had a nice weekend.
Turning to your first of the month band battle, it starts with a great song, I always say, and “Goldfinger” is a great song and the theme of a great movie. I remember going with my cousins to see the film in the theater upon its release. My teenage eyes popped at the spectacle on the screen and my ears were wowed by Shirley Bassey’s vocal on the theme. In your battle, I wish we could have seen both artists performing their covers because both have considerable visual appeal. Petty’s twangy guitar instrumental reminds me of Duane Eddy, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It conveys an element of danger that goes along with 007’s escapades. Chaka Khan’s vocal doesn’t approach the greatness of Shirley’s, but the arrangement by the London Symphony Orchestra, very true to the original, tipped the scale in her favor. Chaka and the orchestra finish strong with a late flourish and that sealed the deal for me. Both versions are enjoyable, but by a modest margin I give my vote to Chaka and the London Orchestra!
Thanks for the mewsic and memories, dear friend Cathy, and have a wonderful week!
Cathy Kennedy
Tom,
You’re absolutely right no one does this song like Shirley Bassey. Her signature vocals are a powerhouse no matter what she’s singing and you know who’s voice is behind the lyrics every time. The LSO might be just the element to push CHAKA KHAN far in this battle. Thanks for being the early bird to kick off the voting in this showdown, my friend!