Welcome to BOTB 2021 round 13! The Spy Who Loved Me released in 1977. The year DH graduated high school. Carly Simon performed the movie theme song, Nobody Does It Better, and is the second Bond theme song to not match the film title.
I am using two UK YouTubers with similar recording settings in their homes. One actively pursing a singing career and the other taking time away to deal with health issues.
First up is, Jemma Johnson on guitar playing her heart-felt rendition.
My second contender is Sophie Madeleine on the ukulele!
Who gets your vote? Will it be Jemma or Sophie? You don’t have to be a James Bond fan or know the song. All you need to know is which artist you liked the best. There’s no wrong way to vote, except a no vote and failure to to choose your pick may result in a large hand stretching across the miles at high speed Internet connection to bonk you on the head. Don’t say you weren’t warned. LOL
I invite you to visit BoTBers with showdowns going on today.
- ailovemusic (Amy) — 1st
- The Doglady’s Den (Debbie) — retired member, active voter
- Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary) — 1st
- Mike’s Ramblings — 1st & 15th
- STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager) now out of retirement!
- The Sound of One Hand Typing (John) — 1st & 15th
- Tossing It Out (Lee) — 1st & 15th
Polls closes noon (EST) September 7th!
I announce the winner in this round next week, same time. Mark your calendar to check back to see if your favorite artist wins in this showdown. Coming up right after this is my newest edition of Wild Wednesday, so stick around for more fun! X
X, Cathy
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Hey Cathy, I DID IT! GOT MY POST UP WITH MY DAUGHTER’S HELP! WOO HOO!! HERE’S THE LINK SO YOU CAN CHANGE MINE. https://newxmasdolly.blogspot.com/2021/09/mondays-music-is-movin-me-hi-everyone-i.html
Marie,
I knew you could do it! I fixed the linky address but folks can click on the link you provided here, too. I’m heading over to your place now! Way to go, girlfriend, and WELCOME BACK!!
Without looking at everyone’s votes first. I will say without a doubt SOPHIE! The ukulele is sets the tone, but her voice and the way she sings is what sold me. Now I will go see what the others have to say. Have a great weekend.
Nicole,
I’m not sure how I thought this battle would go down but I’m pretty sure I didn’t think a ukulele player would pull ahead in this contest like she did, though. SOPHIE gets yet another vote. Thanks for joining in on the fun, my dear!
CAThy, It’s That You!
In this here contest,
SOPHIE’S my CHOICE.
(See what I did there? ;^)
I think the inflection in Sophie’s singing made it seem that the lyrics were more meaningful to her than they seemed in Jemma’s recording.
My friend, I hope you has a terrific day and a wonderful weekend!!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Stephen,
WordPress put your comments in pending status. If you ever seems your comment is disappearing then that’s what is happening. I was away from my blog when you stopped by so I couldn’t approve it. I deleted the duplicate. Next time, you can either wait it out to see if your comment shows up and if it doesn’t shoot me an email asking me to check, then if it’s nowhere to be seen then I can add your message for you. That sounds like a good game plan and one that hopefully won’t cause you any extra work then what it took this time. Who knows maybe it’ll be even easier for you. And, yes I caught what you did there fella. Aren’t you the clever one! SOPHIE takes another vote. Thanks for the return visit, dear friend!
They are both very talented but Sophie’s ukulele’s is amazing so she gets my vote.
Alan,
I’m glad to see you’re a responsible and patriotic music supporter with your vote for SOPHIE. I imagine you were looking for my SWF post but it’s great seeing you here, though. Next time, I’ll leave you a direct link to my skywatch post, my friend.
Interesting covers! Jemma’s version is a little too languid for my taste. Sophie brings it more energy and captured my interest, so she gets the vote.
Sophie has my vote. I like the ukulele, an instrument you don’t hear much. Plus, she has a unique style and made the song hers.
Eugenia,
SOPHIE is cleaning house in this showdown. I like the ukulele, too. It’s popularity seems to be catching on. I’d like to learn how to play one if I ever got motivated to try.
Thanks for voting, my dear.
My pleasure, Cathy!
Hi, Cathy! Looks like Sophie’s going to win, and that’s OK with me because she has my vote, too.
But I mostly stopped by to tell you that one of your comments inspired my post today on my blog. You are an inspiration!
Jen,
It’s sure looking like SOPHIE has this one sowed up in the bag but it’s not over til it’s over, right? I’m an inspiration? WOW, what a compliment!! I’m happy to know that I gave you a bright idea to post about. It was a bright one, right? I’ll bring my shades and come over to check it out.
Sophie gets my vote here. I like what she did with the song.
Mary,
Yeah, I like her interpretation of the song, too. SOPHIE gets your vote!
Sophie gets my vote based on the arrangement. I liked Jemma’s voice better so it was a close one in my mind.
Mike,
Jemma’s vocals are slightly better than Sophie’s but I think Sophie is more interesting. Thanks for casting your vote for SOPHIE, my friend.
As much as i like the ukulele, Jemma has my vote. Who knows, maybe i like underdogs?
Mimi,
Who doesn’t like to root for the underdog? She’s not a bad underdog to vote for, either. I’ll put you down for JEMMA!
Oh, I like Sophie too, that was good and I always liked that tune.
Brian,
Thanks for voting for SOPHIE, my furriend!
I’m really impressed with Sophie! Her rendition was more like a confidential admission than a soundtrack. Sweet!
Diedre,
I like your assessment of Sophie’s performance. SOPHIE steals another vote!
I liked Sophie’s ukulele playing better than Jemma’s guitar playing, so I’ll go with Sophie.
John,
I have you down for SOPHIE! Thanks for joining me for this edition of BOTB, my friend.
Sophie is amazing
Another vote for SOPHIE! Thanks Kinga for dropping by, my dear.
Yes, I vote for Jemma. Sorry, it was so early when I visited and I hadn’t had any coffee yet. Jemma has my vote. ♥
Sandee,
Blame it on the coffee not yet kicking in. That’s what I do.
JEMMA scores a vote! Thanks, my dear.
Love your sketch and loved both versions, but Carly gets my vote. The more I got into Sophie’s rendition the less I liked it.
Have a fabulous day, Cathy. Big hug. ♥
Sandee,
Nobody does it better than Carly but she’s not a candidate. Did you perhaps mean you like Jemma between the two contenders best? Just wanted to double check before I disqualify your Carly vote.
Thanks, my friend!
It’s so early. Let me revisit and fix.
Hi, Cathy!
Happy September, happy Almost Wordless Wednesday, and happy BOTB Day, dear friend!
This might be another close contest for you, because my ears say that Jemma and Sophie are evenly matched singers and both do a good job on their unplugged mewsical instruments. Jemma’s version of the 007 movie theme sung solo whilst playing acoustic guitar is straightforward with little embellishment and few deviations from the original. All it lacked was the orchestral backing found on Carly Simon’s version. I usually cringe when I encounter the uke, but I approached Sophie’s version with an open mind and open ears. I discovered that I liked Sophie’s performance slightly better than Jemma’s because she dared to ad lib throughout the song and those ad libs worked, resulting in a refreshing take on the soundtrack song. Her performance also had a tad bit more life to it, which I appreciated. Therefore I give my vote to Sophie Madeleine.
It made me smile to see your sketch at the end showing my buddy Foghorn Leghorn from the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons (and your A to Z) up to his old tricks in the barnyard and equipped with the mallet he purchased from the Acme Corporation. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
You’re the early bird this morning locking in the first vote in the battle for SOPHIE MADELEINE. I’m glad you kept an open mind and ear to the slightly unusual instrument pick for a James Bond theme song but I agree Sophie’s version isn’t a canned performance with her unique style. Personally, I’m intrigued with the use of the ukulele in pop songs. In fact, if I ever get motivated to learn to play a stringed instrument this would be my instrument of choice. It would be the perfect size for my small hands! Thanks for joining in on the showdown action!