All Time High
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"All Time High" | ||||
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Single by Rita Coolidge | ||||
from the album Octopussy | ||||
B-side | "All Time High" (Extended Instrumental Version) | |||
Released | June 1983[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:02 | |||
Stephen Short | ||||
James Bond theme singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"All Time High" is a song by American singer-songwriter
Background
"All Time High" marked the return of regular James Bond theme composer
The movie's peculiar title negated the possibility of its theme song being based on its title, although Rice would later state: "I think it would have been more interesting if we had tried to write a song called 'Octopussy'". Instead Barry suggested that Rice submit six potential song titles, and it was from these that "All Time High" was selected. Rice was provided with a copy of the script for Octopussy and also viewed the shooting of some scenes from the movie at Pinewood Studios, Rice visiting Pinewood in mid-December 1982. The completed lyrics for "All Time High" would include the line "We're two of a kind" which in the movie is spoken by Octopussy (played by Maud Adams) to James Bond (Roger Moore), and the title evidently refers to the key aerial sequences featured in the movie.[4]
Prior to Rita Coolidge being assigned the Octopussy theme, Mari Wilson was a contender, a British singer whose retro-image evoked the mid-'60s when the Bond series originated; but Wilson's lack of a US-profile led to a negative decision.[6] In January 1983, the producer of Octopussy: Cubby Broccoli, stated that he hoped to have current hitmaker Laura Branigan sing the movie's theme song, an artist choice which both Barry and Rice have stated would have pleased them. However, on March 29, 1983 Rita Coolidge was revealed as the singer, a seemingly surprising choice in that Coolidge's career peak had occurred some six years previously.[4]
Coolidge recalls that Barbara Broccoli, daughter of Cubby Broccoli and herself the assistant director of Octopussy, was a fan of Coolidge and made a point of playing Coolidge records around her father until "one day [he said], "Who is that? That's the voice I want for the movie." Rice still had to complete his contribution as the singer arrived in the studio, with Coolidge stating that "we were waiting for the lyrics as the instrumental track had already been done."[7] The chorus of "All Time High" features a lyric similar to that of Coolidge's #2 hit "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" whose lyric "When you wrap your loving arms around me I can stand up and face the world again" is echoed by the "All Time High" lyric "We'll take on the world and win".
"All Time High" was the second theme song from a James Bond movie for which a video was made, the video consisting of footage of Coolidge – shot in soft focus – singing in an apparent Indian palace (in fact the Royal Pavilion at Brighton) intercut with scenes from the movie.[4]
Impact
"All Time High" was used as
In the US "All Time High" reached #36 on the
In the
In January 1984, "All Time High" was put forward for consideration for an Academy Award nomination for Best Song in two full-page ads run in the entertainment trade papers; these ads also touted the full score of Octopussy. However, Octopussy failed to accrue any Academy Award nominations.[4]
Legacy
According to the Billboard Book of Number One Adult Contemporary Hits by Wesley Hyatt, Coolidge considered "All Time High" to be an unfinished work and customarily would include the song in concert via her backing musicians playing it as an overture rather than singing it as part of her program. However, Coolidge did state in 2006: "It is a wonderful song and I am very proud to be a part of that family [of James Bond theme singers]."[7]
"All Time High" was not originally featured on Never Let You Go, the Rita Coolidge album released in October 1983 although it does occur on some pressings. Since 1998, "All Time High" has been included on several Coolidge anthology releases including a 2001 retrospective on Spectrum Records entitled All Time High.
In 2012 Tim Rice described "All Time High" as "not one of the most exciting Bond songs ... just a nice, dreamy ballad."[4]
Covers
"All Time High" has been remade by Anita Meyer for her 1987 release Premiere, by Pulp in 1997 for David Arnold's Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project album.
Shirley Bassey, for her 2002 release Bassey Sings Bond, recorded a dance version in 2006 by Kelly Llorenna. The song was referenced and then performed by Mark Wahlberg and Norah Jones in the film Ted.
See also
References
- ^ "Rita Coolidge singles".
- ^ Ehrlich, David (November 2, 2015). "James Bond Movie Theme Songs, Ranked Worst to Best". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
Rita Coolidge's smooth jazz ditty just sort of sits there...
- ^ a b Lindsay, Cam (October 8, 2021). "Every James Bond Theme Song, Ranked". Spin. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
...but Rita Coolidge was awarded the honor. With Phil Ramone producing, Barry and Rice wrote it as some straight-up, smooth jazz-pop...
- ^ ISBN 978-019-986330-3.
- ^ "Ping Pong Music". Pingpongmusic.com. 2010-09-14. Archived from the original on 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ "The Lesbian & Gay Foundation » News". Lgf.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ a b "Rita Coolidge". Spencerleigh.demon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2010-12-12.