We Have All the Time in the World BoTB showdown

Posted on May 1, 2021

Welcome to BoTB 2021 round 9!  Her Majesty Secret Service (1969) is the 6th movie in the James Bond series.  Sean Connery retired as 007 after You Only Live Twice.  George Lazenby became the newest and one-time only James Bond in HMSS.  I didn’t realize the theme, We Have All the Time in the World, is actually a secondary theme to film’s instrumental title theme.   The song title is taken from Flemming’s novel as well as in the movie with Bond’s finals words spoken after his wife’s death. 

The song released as a single in the US and UK in December of that year, but failed to chart in either market.  Ironically 25-years later the recording became a hit as the result of Guinness beer commercial after My Bloody Valentine covered the song for charity.  Armstrong’s version re-released on vinyl and CD and reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart and #4 in Ireland. 

My first contender is James Newell Osterberg, Jr.  aka Iggy Pop. I know the artist by name but I’m not familiar with his music.  However, the “Godfather of Punk” has a similar vibe as Armstrong with presenting the song to the listener and covered the song well.  Listen to see what you think.   


My second cover artist is, The Specials, who are new-to-me.  As usual, I stumbled on a band that’s been around since 1977.  How is it I don’t this group is beyond me. Anyway, I felt their cover of the James Bond song was good and felt it deserves a shot to compete in this battle, you be the judge! 

The artists are unique in their own style and I enjoyed both covers the more I listened to them.    

There’s no right or wrong pick, except a no pick.  You don’t have to know anything about the song, the artist, or music, except which one sounds best to you. It’s that simple. Who gets your vote, Iggy Pop or The Specials?  Drop your vote in comments! 😉

I invite you to visit BoTBers with showdowns going on today.

You don’t have all the time in the world to vote, polls close May 6th at noon (EST), so cast yours now!

A week from today, I’ll announce the winner in this round. Mark your calendar to come back to see if your artist gets named the winner!  It’s the weekend, so I’m not really in Blogosphere but I’ll catch up soon and don’t forget to hit the dance floor with me on Monday’s Music Moves Me with your choice songs this week. X💋X💋, Cathy



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35 thoughts on “We Have All the Time in the World BoTB showdown”

  1. You were on my mind and always in my heart, and I just stopped by to say hello. I haven’t really decided if I want to stay where I’m at or go figure out that blogspot.com So far so good with this one, but it’s just not what I wanted, but I want to stay mainly cuz I can do it somewhat. Bummer… I feel bad now cuz you put in all that work… nope nevermind I’ll stay where I’m at. Hugs and you need to take a break girl… anything I can do for you just consider it done girlfriend. Hugs and smooches, and my eternal gratitude for helping me so very much! HUGS

  2. Hi Cathy. My rest days are over and I am feeling better. I am happy to see as one of your contenders is Igy. As much as I like his music though, I have to vote for the Special. I like the UK rock style better. Have a very nice day today.

  3. The Specials brought the horn, in true Britannia style, and it was magic. Still, I have to hand it to the Stooge, James Newell Osterberg Jr. aka Iggy Pop. (Full Confession: I went back and listen to Iggy and The Stooges perform “I Wanna Be Your Dog” from 1969. That was big on the radio the Summer I turned thirteen.

    This was a fun tussle, Cathy… What is your favorite track from a James Bond soundtrack? For me, It is Nancy Sinatra and John Barry with “You Only Live Twice.” (I am listening to it now, and quite possibly will sidle on over to “Millennium” by Robbie Williams, because he borrowed a convenient riff, and sold it.

    1. Myke,

      It’s always nice reading when someone tussles over their decision on who gets their vote. It looks like THE SPECIALS won out in the end with you and they aren’t a bad choice at all!

      Last month, I did “You Only Live Twice BoTB Showdown”. It looks like you missed that round. Just so you’ll know, I’m doing James Bond theme songs for my battles once a month, usually at the beginning, so be sure to check on June 1st for my next one.

      You asked what’s my favorite track from the James Bond soundtrack. Now, that’s really hard! I think I’d go with For Your Eyes Only simply. This was the second James Bond film I saw in the theater and Sheena Easton just blew me out of the water with her vocals but then I just love about anything by Shirley Bassey.

      Thanks for playing along, my friend. Have a good day!

  6. OMCowkittiness, I’ve never heard Iggy Pop singing such a beautiful song, CK, it’s giving me Lust for Life 😉 Pawkisses for a Happy Mewsical Monday and wonderful week ahead🐾😽💞

    1. Binky,

      Hello, my furriend! It’s been long time, hasn’t it? I’m delighted you stopped by to vote for IGGY POP in this BoTB. I’ll be visiting you soon! Have a good day.

    1. Adelaide,

      Welcome to my little niche and thanks for playing this round of BoTB.

      Your vote is locked in for IGGY POP! I hope to see you again!

  11. Hi Cathy! SURPRISE! I’m actually here today! casting my vote for The Specials. I preferred them over Iggy, who just made me feel a bit sad. If you haven’t already, I’ve got my battle posted for today. Hope you stop by! Mary

    1. Mary,

      Howdy-hi! So glad you’re able to join me and yes, I went over yesterday to cast my vote in your battle. Iggy Pop’s version is a bit solemn and it takes a few listens to hear it for what its worth in my opinion. I have ya down for THE SPECIALS. Thanks for dropping in, my friend!

  12. Howdy, CAThy! It’s That You?!

    Although I did own a few Iggy Pop albums back in the LP era, and I never owned a record by The Specials, I’m gonna give my vote to The Specials in this match-up. Iggy was too draggy, while The Specials made it a bit more special with their lighter, brighter touch.

    Nowadays there is only ONE Iggy song I like, but I actually LOVE it, not like it. And that is this one:

    [Link> LUST FOR LIFE

    That is one of the all-time great driving (road trip) songs. And the lyric “dance like hypnotizing chickens” always makes me smile because I see in my mind Mick Jagger doing that goofy chicken dancing he always did.

    Iggy was / is one very, Very weird dude, but he sure came up with a classic when he wrote and recorded ‘Lust For Life’!

    ~ Stephen
    D-FensDogG of the
    Loyal American Underground

    1. Stephen,

      I popped over to YouTube to listen to the Iggy Pop song and I just don’t remember it. I admit the punk genre isn’t my fave but he’s a big name artist so I don’t know why it’s not ringing any bells. The song released in 1977, so all I can think is my circle of friends didn’t play it and listening to radio in those days was a rarity so this one escaped me altogether. Oh well…I sure do appreciate you taking time to vote for THE SPECIALS in this round, my friend!

    1. Brian,

      Yeah, the artists are really new-to-me, too. But, that’s okay, if one of them captures your listening pleasure the best then let me know! 😉

  14. Glad that you decided to do a BOTB post. I’ve got one up as well. Hope you will visit and vote on mine as well.

    Iggy Pop surprised not only by his version, but by the fact he even recorded this song. I guess he’s not so punk anymore.

    I’d heard of the Specials and might even have a cassette by them. With all the cassettes I bought in my lifetime I’ve lost track of what all I have.

    Iggy did fine, but I started getting a bit bored with his version. I much preferred The Specials version with some very nice instrumentation in the background.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    1. Lee,

      I’m impressed by Iggy Pop’s rendition. I need to listen to his more popular stuff as I don’t really know what he’s best known for. The Specials aren’t familiar to me, either. So, I will sample more of their music in time. I appreciate you taking time coming right off last month’s big blogfest to cast your vote for THE SPECIALS.

  15. I love this song and I bet most people don’t know that it comes from a James Bond film and a good one to boot even with Lazenby in the title role. Hearing both, Iggy just sounds too dour so I give my vote to The Specials whom I never heard of either but I like this rendition.

    1. Birgit,

      Louis Armstrong had such a unique voice and it was difficult to find covers worthy to stand against his but I felt both contenders even Iggy did a fabulous job. THE SPECIALS are a contrast to Iggy’s vocal style and that perhaps that why you and others like their cover better. Thanks for dropping by, my friend!

  16. I like them both but The Specials had a more upbeat sound so my choice is The Specials.

    I hope you’re resting after all the work you put in for A2Z.

    Have a fabulous weekend. Love and hugs. ♥

    1. Hey Sandee,

      Nope, I haven’t found any time to rest yet and I don’t really see that happening any time soon. Hopefully before the month is over I will be caught up and then I might entertain the idea of taking a mini blog break. I need to get my head cleared out just a wee bit. Thanks for stopping by to cast your vote for THE SPECIALS!

    1. Mike,

      I know Iggy Pop by name but I’m totally unfamiliar with his music so when I found that he covered a James Bond theme I had to listen and to my surprise liked it. Thanks for voting for IGGY POP in We Have All The Time In The World BoTB Showdown, my friend!

  18. Hi, Cathy!

    No rest for the weary, right dear friend? 🙂 Happy May and BOTB day to you! Do you remember the Bee Gees’ minor hit single “First Of May”?

    I was not familiar with “We Have All the Time in the World” because I haven’t yet watched On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, I bailed out of the 007 film series when Sean Connery retired from the role of James Bond. The Iggy Pop version of the secondary theme song didn’t make a favorable impression on me. It somewhat reminded me of Irish singer and actor Richard Harris tackling MacArthur Park, a recording I do happen to like very much. However Iggy Pop’s recording simply depressed me and kinda creeped me out.

    The version by The Specials, the second artist in your contest, was recorded live, and that is usually a disadvantage, but not in this case. The band had a brighter sound. They breathed more life into the song and it proved to be an enjoyable listen. Therefore, I will cast my vote for The Specials.

    Have a safe and restful weekend, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      Absolutely right, there’s no rest for the weary. 🙂 I am pooped but I have miles to go before I can sleep so-to-speak. I so appreciated you being the first one to stop by on Saturday to cast your vote for THE SPECIALS in this showdown. I get your analysis of Iggy’s cover and at first I had a problem with it but if you listen to it more than once it grows on you and like me you might find his version isn’t all that bad. I certainly get why you like The Specials better, though. Thanks for including me in your weekend. I’m still not 100% where I need to be with my blogging routine but I’ll get there in a matter of a days. Have bandtastic week!

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