Does this make YOU feel uneasy?! If so, there's a reason!

[@invisible2621]

No autotune, no tricks no lies, Simon Le Bon is a great singer and an amazing lyricist, at 65yrs old he is able to reach high notes even better than when he was 20. I love his voice, the melodies and the harmonies he creates are beautiful!

[@gingerindian1141]

I can say, after seeing them live, simon le bon can climb, and climb, and climb with all duran duran songs. I saw duran duran at endinbrugh castle 2009 - and i mean he filled edinburgh singing a view to a kill.

[@dillarddillard-p4e]

Simon Le Bon only sounds like himself, which is fantastic,emotional and thrilling!

[@melissar6365]

As a teen in the 80’s and still a fan, I never thought Simon’s voice was “perfect”, but yet I still loved it. To me and my untrained ears, it was just his sound and part of his unique sound. I’d much rather hear a voice like his than any auto tuned voices of today’s music. I truly miss the days of raw, authentic music and singers. It’s probably why I don’t listen to much modern music of today.

[@josephmanzuni8593]

And yet this is the ONLY Bond song that has hit number 1 in the US charts till today. Maybe humans should start rethinking the 'right frequency or tone' to accept unique tones such as Simon's voice. He is one of a kind and no one else sounds like him till today.

[@antoinettelopes]

As a young Duranie back in the day, I heard countless people, especially grownups, complain about how Simon Le Bon couldn't sing. That's 40 years ago. This is how Simon sings. You either like it or listen to him just the one time. Listen to him twice, you're his b*tch. That's just how it is. I don't make the rules. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@nadionmediagroup]

If it sounds good it IS good.

[@chrism2964]

Its ironic really because these days he would be considered excellent because he would be pitch corrected and his natural voice is so pleasant and unique. Plenty of modern singers are pitch corrected but have really generic voices.

[@antoinettelopes]

@@chrism2964 yeah. For me it's always been the unique sound of someone's voice that matters. Otherwise everyone would sound like musical theatre people. 😄

[@caseystevens8302]

Honestly, I dont see how anyone's voice can boxed into best voice for songs, or not. For instance, Elvis' voice might sound odd to some people as does Simon Le Bon. I believe Simon has a unique singing voice that is one of a kind. We all should protect this man at all cost 😊

[@NIGHTFRIGHT2011]

I recently sang Ordinary World at a karaoke night and got lots of praise especially for hitting the high notes towards the end. To anyone who thinks Simon is not a singer, I would say try singing that song in that key. His voice has improved over the years and he can still do it live.

[@lancelange9377]

When I worked up to doing that outro in the same key as the original. People went crazy. Simon does it all live extremely well still. It blows my mind how good he sounds. He is definitely a singer.

[@BarrySlisk]

I am a long time fan and lot's of their songs I just can't sing. Simon often sounds bad live maybe because he can't sing with a loud volume? But studio albums are spot on and the old stuff is before auto tune.

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Simon doesn't get nearly enough recognition for his amazing tone and very impressive upper range. Not sure why that is. His voice is still strong and sounds fantastic nearly 40 years later!

[@joetheman74]

Saying "listening to Simon LeBon gives you an uneasy feeling" is close to sacrilege in my book. Many bands and singers lose their magic luster once you hear them live and only sound good on studio recordings. The proof of an artist is in the live performance. Duran Duran was one of the best live acts you could ever see. Age is finally beginning to take it's toll but check out what I consider their finest performance. The concert from Wembley back in 2005. One of the greatest shows of all time. I wish I could have been there but... poor man living in the states.

[@suzywilliams6610]

Yes that was an amazing concert at Wembley I was there🎉it's scary 18 years ago

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

Totally agree still haven’t seen them live enough …will be sorting that out again soon ! … I love these videos but I’ve never felt uneasy listening to Simon haha rather the opposite

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Much of the song is being performed with almost a speaking voice, and we don't speak while hitting notes, so Simon has some flats and sharps that aren't there in the parts that are actually sung.

[@ericmcsnorkle4090]

The way he sings that song adds to the feel of suspense/edge which I guess is perfect for a song in a spy film! He went for feel over accuracy and his intuition was spot on in my opinion.

[@iwonttell4958]

Le Bon might is a great singer, because he's not always in tune, he's sometimes flat, sometimes sharp, but it sounds human and natural. It SPEAKS to the human mind. And with a band creating music fitting his voice, it becomes great! It's natural, not sterile. I'm a metalhead but I always loved Duran Duran, in many ways because of Le Bon. He does what guitarists (us) does all the time, create tension, catches your attention, makes you listen.

[@EmmanuelGoldstein3]

What I liked most about the video for this song was how at the very end, after the song itself is over, he says, "The name is Bon. Simon Le Bon." That just makes me laugh.

[@thatsrich944]

Simon definitely has a unique tone, with lots of slides over, under and through notes. He mixes his registers constantly and throws in all kinds of bits here and there, yet he seems to resolve the pitch everywhere it needs to make sense. Not sure if he consciously manufactured that sound, or it's just his natural style. It's difficult for a "normal" singer to duplicate those frequent register changes. It's instantly recognizable as Simon when you hear it.

[@bobbiny32]

I've been following Duran Duran since 1982. When this came out, I went to the movie thinking they were in it. I was 10 and sat through the movie completely clueless. By the way, I got to see them with my twin sister after 25 years. It was one of the greatest moments of my life.

[@billbolton]

He doesn't sing like he has been trained to sing, but sings like he can sing.

[@itslizmcmahon]

Lou Reed said Duran Duran did a perfect cover of A Perfect Day.

[@80srocker65]

I think his singing in the verse is an audible representation of the drama of the lyrics

[@MasseyVF]

Loved this - explains so much about how we experience music & how it makes us feel different things. Thanks Fil 🙏❤

[@loretta_3843]

I think I was about 8 or 9 when this came out. I remember how popular Duran Duran was. I never realised Simon sang so well. They were pretty boys with catchy songs to me back then. Life has changed so much since then, it's crazy!

[@tripbreaker]

I was at Live Aid. The live performance of AVTAK when Simon’s voice cracked during “all you NEED…” was the crack heard around the world.

[@mightyV444]

I knew I would find a comment here about that particular performance! 😉 I can still 'hear' his voice derail even NOW, 38 years later! 😅 Poor Simon. He felt very embarrassed about it, too! 😌

[@davidhills3100]

Would be interesting to see the pitch analysis of that particular performance...

[@bluecomposite]

all WE need...

[@mightyV444]

@bluecomposite - * all WE *NEEEEEED!!!!* 😉😄

[@josephmanzuni8593]

That doesn't take the fact that every singer in the world has made such mistakes. Robert Plant and David Bowie have also made some uncanny mistakes voice wise. So has Michael Jackson and Prince. That said, Simon Le Bon has since done a duet with the legendary Pavarotti (at his invitation, not Simon's) and just recently was invited to duet with Dolly Parton by Dolly herself. You can hear it in her new album, Rockstar. Even David Bowie's pianist called on Duran Duran first to do a reinterpretation of David's Five Years which critics hailed as the best version of David's.

[@stevie-ray2020]

As an amateur vocalist, these nuances of pitch variation are one incredibly effective method of evoking emotions without relying simply on the musical score. With so many contemporary vocalists depending on auto-tune to correct a serious deficient in training & experience, it's really not surprising most current music leaves me unmoved!

[@chrism2964]

The funny thing about this song is that I can hear the edit between the chorus and the verses. They are very obviously not sung in one continuous take to my ear. Its not just about the pitch accuracy, its about something in the production and timing.

[@kevinsturges6957]

You nailed it. It was a problem with the expensive 24 track reel to reel recording going slightly out of tune, and they didn’t catch that until half way through the sessions. I read it in Andy Taylor’s book. You have good ears.

[@julzy3]

I never think of this song as being sung out of tune nor do I think it of Ordinary World. His voice is being led by emotion in each & it is perfect to my ears. It is supposed to make you uneasy.

[@Shell6424]

I agree with Ordinary World - that song can make you cry.

[@christiansmakingmusic777]

He is on the verge of yodeling on the A#4. Remover the head voice and chest voice are overlapping from about D4 to B4. Some guys can belt chest voice above C5, but most swells like that rely upon a crying sound that releases into a head dominant mix. Simon’s inaccuracies all practically all of the life in this vocal. Also, his overall timbre is so unique to him that there will never be another Simon.

[@glamgal7106]

I remember when the video for this song constantly played on MTV. I have to admit that I used to feel this uneasiness when I heard the song. At the time, I thought that part of it had to do with the part where Nick Rhodes(keyboardist)gets attacked in the video just after these scary 1/2 step notes going up and down. Nonetheless, thanks for providing this impressive and informative analysis of Simon Le Bon’s vocals in “A View to a Kill.” Though I wasn’t a huge fan of Duran Duran, I enjoyed listening to some of their songs and I believe they were an important part of new wave music. From your analysis, I can understand why one could feel a sense of uneasiness when listening to “A View to a Kill” because of what Simon’s vocals brought to the song in telling the story. Thanks for bringing your knowledge and insight to this analysis, Fil!

[@Susanfuzz]

Recently watched a Duran Duran documentary…. He was a choirboy (beautiful boy soprano soloist) and does a segment with his choirmaster from back in the day :) So he’s a well trained singer

[@kevinsturges6957]

I read a story about this album. In the middle of it, under a very tight schedule, Duran Duran and the studio engineers were horrified to discover that the 24 track tape machine they were using was slightly going out of pitch as the reel of tape ran through it. The album was half completed, and there was no way it could be scrapped and started over with new sessions again. Turns out the pitch problem with the tape machine was discovered later to be a known bug, that the studio hadn’t been made aware of. So each additional overdub and added section had to be flown in an adjusted for pitch as they went. The result is that the entire Ragged Tiger album has a strange, barely perceptible pitch offset inside each songs parts. Duran decided to go with that, and use it as a subtle effect that illustrated the crazy times and themes they were trying to portray. Another weird time where the universe and Art synchronize together in an odd way that worked but was unintentional. Just remembered I read this story in guitarist Andy Taylor’s fascinating autobiography “Wild Boy”. Great book!

[@veramilton833]

Your analysis is so educational! I am starting to understand why I hear and feel a certain way while listening to music 🎶. Yes, this one does make me a bit uncomfortable, but now I know why ❤! You are awesome at explaining what and why we hear the way we do . Thanks for this one !

[@C2C.]

It would be interesting to compare how Simon's voice has evolved since this. After lessons, his singing is more controlled ans stronger (and arguably better in many ways), even after 40 years.

[@fionafenner4582]

I have always loved this song, and Duran Duran in general! (And as an aside, I think it is the best James Bond song by a long shot.). Thanks for the breakdown. It’s so good to have a better understanding of Simon’s voice after all these years of listening to Duran Duran.

[@mudwiser1391]

I love Ordinary World, they were on PBS recently doing Austin City Limits and it was great in every way. Funny thing, I was never much of a fan back in the 80's, but I have delved into their vast catalog of music and it is terrific.

[@italoblu]

I’m so happy you’re doing this! I have some deep cut suggestions that bounce around their discography, both slow and fast. Midnight Sun and Electric Barbarella from Medazzaland, More Joy and Wing from Future Past, The Seventh Stranger from 7 & the Ragged Tiger, Land and I Don’t Want Your Love (Shep Pettibone 7”) from Big Thing, Starting to Remember and Someone Else Not Me from Pop Trash, Last Night in the City and Paper Gods from Paper Gods. Hope you enjoy them! Oh, and Skin Trade and Winter Marches On from Notorious. And b-side I Believe/All I Need to Know.

[@bernardenejones8620]

Duran Duran had their own style . I like their songs

[@bernardenejones8620]

That sound is what makes the song great.

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Fil, The video was co-directed by former 10CC members Kevin Godley and Lou Creme, from when they were directing many classic music videos and had hit records like CRY. The idea is to be silly and post-modern in the video at the same time with the flying video camera (a then-slick idea at the time) capturing all the action when in real life (the clips from the Bond film are 35mm Panavision widescreen anamorphic filmmaking (the clips are bunched to be pan and scan) with new location footage (also apparently filmed) with the flying cameras and editing in low-def video. This is also called a 'post-modern' approach and is meant to be as comical as it is blatantly promotional and playing to the band's following. I liked the film's actual title sequence credits by Maurice Binder, with its day glow colors more. The late, great CHIC co-founder Bernard Edwards co-produced the song and helped to make it the Bond series' first U.S. #1 single. You'll have to do a video on Edwards sometime and more Bond themes too! Thanks for yet another great video!👍

[@chrisperyagh]

I'd like to see Midge Ure's vocals in 'Vienna' put through this analysis software as he holds some really steady long notes in that which many singers since then don't tend to do (the 'why sing one note when you can sing twenty?' thing).

[@pifflepockle]

You leave Midge alone

[@philrichards7240]

A more cruel Midge Ure inspired response would be: Shaddap you face

[@Michael-mm3fm]

I will never forget Ken Bruce quipping that one, must have been getting on for 15 years ago. Whitney Houston finishes a song. “Ah, that’s Whitney”, says Ken. “Why sing one note when you can sing 12? “. That wasn’t holding note issue though, just the warbling style of her and Carey and that lot. Just sing the bloody tune.

[@chrisperyagh]

@@Michael-mm3fm There's an advert with 'Feeling Good' on it. I've no idea who the singer is, but I keep saying "Just stick to the effin' tune!" whenever it's on. Even Matt Bellamy sticks to the tune when Muse covered it.

[@mightyV444]

@Phil Richards - Ah yes, the song that had prevented 'Vienna' from reaching the #1 spot 😅 My friends and I had LOVED 'Shaddap You Face' as kids 😆 'Vienna' was and still is way better, though. And now my own kids love it, too 😊

[@raithebatou]

Cant say I ever took much notice of Duran Duran at the time, but I have always considered this one of the best post Connery Bond themes

[@Ohio45545]

Love this analysis and your wonderful explanation of a real singing voice,Simon, not pitch corrected or autotuned. A singer whose voice is superbly unique!

[@sabocikotic7632]

Great analysis.

[@debbier938]

Hi Fil, This was a very interesting analysis on Simon LeBon’s vocals. He definitely has a unique sound and technique that works for him. One of my personal favorites that is a DD song is from the early 90s, Come Undone, it’s one of those haunting type songs that leaves you with a mysterious riveting feeling. And this song is another example of feeling kind of unsettled. I was never really sure that as a band DD was deemed alternative But Simon’s song interpretation’s , I think have always put him and DD in a league all their own. Great analysis proving once again art isn’t about perfection! Love it!… You Are The Best, Debbie☮️

[@JHaydon67]

Come Undone is in the Top 5 of my all-time favourite songs by DD, it may just be the best they've ever recorded to my mind (I really can't pick just 1). The other 4 are Careless Memories, Save a Prayer, The Chauffeur and New Religion, every one phenomenal in my view.

[@C2C.]

Love his vocals on Come Undone, which is also after his having received formal training to strengthen his voice. A View to A Kill was prior.

[@fredbloggs6080]

Did you know Duran Duran got their name from the villain, Durand Durand, in the 1968 Roger Vadim movie *Barbarella* , starring Jane Fonda?

[@donnabert]

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.

[@fredbloggs6080]

@@donnabert I have my doubts about that. Probably only Duran Duran fans or someone who read about it incidentally would know. Did you ever see Barbarella? In the theater?

[@lindadescafano3749]

Simon LeBon definitely has a uniqueness to his vocals which are perfect for this James Bond theme song. I did like some of their music back in the day. Thank you Fil for another great analysis. 😊🎸🎵

[@invisible2621]

I simply adore his voice and his singing, his voice is distinctive and unique, beautiful!

[@wjec1970]

Brilliant video as usual, Fil. On the subject of Simon Le Bon's vocals, have you heard Duran's latest album? It's really rather good and I definitely think he's done some vocal training over the years as he's sounding better than ever. His pitch is so much more accurate and he's really pushing his voice to do things I've never heard him do before. I was rather impressed! And he's NOT a young man anymore!

[@kathleenmagois7904]

I wasn't crazy about his voice at first, but it ended up growing on me. I like his expressiveness, especially on this song.

[@charleyanne]

As a Duranie since '82, I've always loved his natural voice. I don't know if "whiney" is the correct description but the way he sings is very distinct. Thank you for going over this song. When he sang this song at Live Aid, he was def off key, especially on a particular note & it was laughed about for a second on stage (or maybe not a laugh but they all knew).

[@colino72]

Yep, quite the crack! At that pitch, not at all surprising for a tenor voice.

[@angelbear_og]

I remember when this came out -- bought the 45, recorded the video off some satellite music video channel or other, played both over & over. (Even went to see the movie JUST because Duran Duran did the theme song!) Never once did I ever notice anything "wrong" about the intervals. Still don't after you pointed them out. 😅 It just sounds like it's supposed to sound. 😁

[@bernardenejones8620]

The way he sings it fits into the type of movie it's in

[@umarae27]

That was super! Thanks!! Suggestion for others? Oh yes. A remarkable elastic singer, who does his own arrangements & productions grabbed our attention with his rendition of the traditional hymn Amazing Grace. During his short interval with the harmonica he purposely hits a discord note that bugged some enough to mention it. I dont even hear that note today, bc, it so fits his storytelling abilities. He then carries forward by correcting his posture, & steps boldly up to the plate for a performance we cabt seem to get enough of. Who is this incredible artist you ask? Why, its Dan Vasc, of course! Please cover Dan's amazing grace rendition!. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@finchharper4647]

I like the way Simon sounds in this song.

[@DavidLazarus]

I've been a DD fan since about 1982. I love Simon's vocals. Even some of the more erratic vocals on Arena; especially on Is There Something I Should Know.

[@EllaBee90]

Great analysis. I was not expecting this to be so positive. Simon knows his voice gets pitchy, but it works for DD. He said he tried the autotune and it just didn't work out. So we're stuck with this voice and I don't mind it... There's this new song on Danse Macabre where he sings with an awesome vibrato - never heard him do this before. Confession in the Afterlife. It's haunting. (The whole album is amazing, by the way)

[@lisafridland]

Yes!!!!! My favorite band of all time!!! Question: is it possible, since we know Simon can be very accurate, he's using a vocal technique to land slightly flat or sharp to create a dramatic tension that is meant to make us feel uneasy? Versus the natural variation that can occur with a voice, for example.

[@fromchomleystreet]

No singer in the world could pull that off. Singing off-key deliberately is almost impossible, at least throughout a song. I’m not sure why so many people in the comments seem to want to believe that it’s a choice, as if to simply accept that it’s just part of his unique human voice to be a little bit “pitchy” would be a betrayal or something.

[@carlathedestructor2454]

❤❤❤ Love this! Simon still sounds great now.

[@wandaburnsworth1588]

Love how you analyze ❤

[@corilia9529]

Im only gonna say For Your Eyes Only is one my favorite Bond film songs.

[@lesleekahler6514]

This song was huge when it came out as was the music video

[@lelleithmurray235]

If I remember rightly,Simon sang this song a little off the pitch there. I still love the tune ,and it's my Duran Duran quirky favorite! Now I get to settle in and enjoy Fils analysis.☺

[@jusadude7162]

Unique. That’s what I love about his voice.

[@christophers7753]

Huh, okay, not really a Duran, Duran fan nor hater, I am familiar with some of their music and can enjoy it, that said as so often happens with Wings of Pegasus videos I come away with a new appreciation of the artist(s) Thanks so much for these examples/lessons in how to listen and think about songs and performances

[@1SeanBond]

A Fantastic view! Appreciate your efforts and quality posts! Fil Cheers to Continued success friend!✌💛🍻💫 luv&peace Sean&Family!

[@Banglish123]

Music of the time was like this. Most probably a punk hangover there are many artists I can think of who sang in a discordant fashion deliberately. Robert Smith, David Sylvian, Dr Robert, Marc Almond etc etc. This to me was a kick back at musical traditionalism that everything "has to be in tune". Music from this era would not sound good with pitch corrected vocals. We always knew Simon was a bit off, but thats how we knew who it was. To be fair you could have picked any DD song for this analysis, Save A Prayer would be interesting. Respect as always.

[@kentmains7763]

I've always thought this song sounded a bit different than a lot of their other songs and now I know why. Excellent breakdown!

[@MusicLover-yo5rs]

I love Simon’s vocals. It’s perfectly imperfect, unique, and absolutely goes hand in hand with Duran Duran’s awesome sound. Thank you, Fil, for another great analysis video! 😊

[@MarcByrne]

Great ! Love your analysis. I used to always feel uneasy hearing Culture Club because of a similar things I suppose. Boy George singing "out of tune", not hitting notes anywhere near spot on!😄 But when you hear so many accurate singing voices, as you said in this video, it's great to go back to Boy George and listen to it and appreciate it. (Also Marc Almond)

[@dmcarp2807]

Your analysis answer showed many factors involved in the "unease"-- beyond referenced audio memory

[@glenjones6980]

It reminds me a lot of Girls on Film in that sections of the song have lyrics separated by a few seconds of instruments then sections where the vocal lines are back to back. In the back to back sections the vocals always sound more accurate and it's as if Simon was hampered somewhat when vocals didn't flow continuously. There's probably lots more in their back catalogue but it's been long time since I listened to them.

[@samanthab1923]

Love that song ❤

[@MaHa-um5sv]

He's so fantastic - amazing range. I really love his lower register, too, though he doesn't showcase it much.

[@bernardenejones8620]

Like you said every song doesnt have to be the same

[@karenjones3474]

this guy can sing x

[@Era515]

As someone who has recently discovered Duran Duran's work after 1985, I found this really interesting. I think Simon has his own deliberate style choices for delivering DD songs. They are immediately identifiable as DD. When they did a cover of Thank You or Crystal Ship he sounded quite different. He also has improved as a vocalist after he nearly lost his voice. I'd like you to evaluate one of their later songs, maybe a live performance from the past 10 years.

[@DS40764]

Great song. Didn't know it was off tune. We learn something new everyday. I heard a rock song recently but didn't get the name of the band, but it was one of these uneasy sounding, but great songs. Lots of heavy drums. Will get back to you sometime on that song. Hopefully, I'll hear it again. Thanks for sharing . I've heard a lot because the station I listen to, always plays these songs late at night, or early in the am after I've worked a graveyard shift.

[@CaptainBakerJason]

Great analysis Fil! BTW, the equal temperament “Standard Tuning” of A at 440 Hz was first adopted 84 years ago in 1939.

[@bernardenejones8620]

Some of my favorite movies are James Bond 007 movies. The music and songs from Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran helps the movie be more damatic or cause an uneasy feeling .

[@tmatheson54]

Thanks Fil. You have a license to view killer notes.

[@Terri_MacKay]

Thank you so much for finally helping me understand why I've always thought that there was something a little "off" about this song, that leaves me feeling uneasy or uncomfortable when I listen to it. I've heard songs by other bands that leave me with that feeling, and I dont know if the same thing is happening in those songs. But, staying with Duran Duran, the other song by them that gives me that feeling of unease is "Wild Boys".

[@chthoniapodcast]

I remember when this song came out, and also being a big fan of D2 in the early 80s. Maybe that's why I don't notice what I guess is a cognitive dissonance between equal temperament and Simon Le Bon's natural vocal style--I feel like a lot of D2's music (if not all of it) is like that, because, well--it's his natural style! Now that you point out the difference, it's pretty obvious, though I find it more interesting than unsettling.

[@damnyankeefl]

I would venture to say, this song, and this scene in the movie, is supposed to make you feel uneasy. it's perfect.

[@mightyV444]

This really was quite an interesting analysis! Thank you, Fil! 😀👍 I'm not the biggest Duran Duran fan there ever was, but I've known them for 40 years and never heard anything really 'wrong' with LeBon's vocals and pitch (with the exception of his 'derailment' during exactly this song at the '85 Live Aid spectacle 😅), and I actually have Perfect Pitch! However, the one thing that does bug me: He often did a whiney noise at the beginning of a vocal line, especially on their big Hits in the 80's. Geddy Lee did the same thing during Rush's last days, when his voice was shot and he really was struggling with hitting the higher notes right; I can bear Simon LeBon doing it, but I can't listen to Rush live after ~2012 😬 Also, I just listened to The Cure's song 'A Forest' for the first time in yonks and was surprised at how flat some of Robert Smith's vocal notes are in the original studio recording! 😬 His pitch is usually really good!

[@johnsmall-ii6iu]

I'm glad to see this analysis for this band at that point in time when there was kind of a line to cross, I think. I am refreshed from the usual showings. Show. Because I jumped in when the analysis was on the Righteous Brothers. That show caught my wonder of this site and wowed me.

[@twilightfilms9436]

Hold on a minute, for those of you who are saying Simon was natural and didn’t use auto tuned, I have bad news for you. He used a more powerful tool back then called Fairlight, a $200,000 machine who was also sponsoring DD. How do I know this? Because DD is known to be the first artists in history to sample voices in the song The Reflex, and the story comes from the horse’s mouth, Nile Rogers himself said it in a behind the scenes video that they tweaked Simon voice to hit certain notes using the Fairlight……..so…..if you have the Fairlight app for iPad, give it a try and you’ll see how can you auto tune your own voice…..

[@samanthab1923]

Love this song. Perfect Bond tune. Simon begged Cubby Broccoli to do a Bond song when they ran into each other in the South of France.

[@suzywilliams6610]

It was John who spoke to Cubby he asked him at a Wimbledon party in London when was he going to have a decent theme song again ? Cubby replied do you want to do it? This is in John's autobiography but I remember him saying in interviews too

[@samanthab1923]

@@suzywilliams6610 Wow, it’s tough getting old. Could have sworn I heard it my way. Thanks 👋

[@petersapira917]

incredibly detailed & insightful analysis - thanks for the clip.

[@julianmbrown]

Interesting analysis. I'm sure I read somewhere along the line that the whole track for A View to a Kill was sped up or slowed down, perhaps to accommodate Simon's voice? Although I may have dreamt this. Always loved the song. A real return to form for DD before Roger & Andy left the band the first time around.

[@LostBird59]

Thanks Fil, since watching your analysis videos I now listen to vocalists differently and I'm much more accepting of, even happy to hear, slight deviations from the "right" pitch. One thing I've always wondered is why does someone singing flat tend to sound worse to our ears than someone singing sharp? I've talked about it with a couple of musician friends and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so. I don't know if that's something you've already looked at, or if not, maybe could explore in a future video. Cheers!

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Yes ,indeed. I definitely expected to hear that note! ❤

[@CowboyStag]

Good episode One of my favorite Bond songs

[@bernardenejones8620]

Thank you Fil. I love Duran Duran

[@itsisk2043]

I remember when this song was released and always have thought that it was incredibly well sung. I had to wait 39 years to see an analysis of it like this. Edit: By the way, it's not only about hitting perfectly each note, but to achieve your own style in singing as well, as most musicians do.

[@candydale8380]

Have seen Duran Duran perform many times, they were always great! Adore this song, of course❤❤❤❤ Thank you, so much, Fil!!!

[@dlux703]

I would assume that Simon's intent was to infuse a sense of uneasymess into the verses in order to accentuate the lyrics and create a contrast to the strength and resolve of the chorus that releases that tension. It is artistic manipulation he applies to express his writing at it's best.

[@FebrithDarkstar]

One of my favourite Bond tunes. Simon Le Bon has one of those voices that I wonder if he'll actually make the note sometimes lol - mind you, I'd be interested to see you do an analysis of Bernard Sumner because I honestly don't think he can sing at all - like me :D

[@gnoghead]

When I was growing up, my older sister loved New Order, The Smiths, Bowie, and Duran Duran. My dad would contend that none of these singers could sing, and tell her to put on (giant)headphones. It would always lead to a blowout. I remember him saying Sumner sounded like he was having a stroke when he sang. Not sure where I stand on the subject. Maybe Fil can help.

[@FebrithDarkstar]

@@gnoghead Lmao @ "having a stoke" - too funny :XD

[@samanthab1923]

Absolutely. Adele’s & Nancy Sinatra’s are good too.

[@mightyV444]

@samanthab 1923 - Adele's song 'Rolling In The Deep' alone has several flat vocal notes in it 😅 Still a good one, though! 😊

[@chaggyquebec]

hi Fil I would have liked you to analysed the song Save a prayer .Anyway I enjoyed your analysis as usual and again and again you are so well perfectionist in your analysis this is insane almost lol Much Love and \m/ROCK ...

[@RosaKay55]

Your analysis is thorough and interesting, as always. Thanks Fil!

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

Love your analysis of this song. Not sure that I like it as much as other 007 songs but I appreciate how you break it down!

[@randallpink13]

Unrelated (somewhat) to this video, I'd love to hear you analyze original folk nasally Bob Dylan, Lay Lady Lady Bob Dylan, and old man rocks in his throat death rattle Bob Dylan.

[@zenawarrior7442]

Fun analysis again, learned more about pitch, songs, auto tune. Thanks Fil😊🏜🌻🎙🎼🎵

[@Krishicher]

Now I better understand why this is my favorite DD song.

[@123Rockchild]

I loved Daniel Craig as James Bond. I hope he comes back at some point! 😎

[@lynnmcquillan2338]

Interesting- thanks Fil .. 🤔.. I like Simon as it happens & met him when in London in 1978 through a friend who worked with him - he was lovely ☺️.. PPS. I used to sing but don’t know how to get something to you except the singles I did with Festival Records - version of Day Trip to Bangor (Duffy’s Band search on KZbin) & a Matthew More song ‘Hold On To Me’ - however I wrote and sang a lot of my own songs 😊 - love your work Fil 🥰🎄🥰🇦🇺

[@greg19561]

I agree with you about Daniel Craig. The best Bond movie by far is “Casino Royale”. Unlike a lot of the Bond movies from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, James Bond isn’t a ridiculous caricature who gets into fights and comes out unscathed, without a cut on his face. Nor is he reduced to a cartoon character who tosses out silly puns like “I think he got the point’” Rather, Craig plays Bond as a vulnerable guy who is a real person - someone who is rattled after a fight and needs to calm down by gulping whiskey., and who matches wits with agent Vesper Lynd. “Casino Royale” casts Bond as someone who feels the need to prove himself to those around him: someone who is arrogant yet also is self-conscious about where he has come from in terms of Britain’s outmoded class system. Like the Jason Bourne films, Bond is a three-dimensional character, with emotions that play out as the plot unfolds. And “View to a Kill” is probably one of the better Bond movie themes.

[@threesixtysafari2115]

Love Duran Duran and seeing LeBon's voice analyzed is fascinating. When I listen to music I feel when it's good or bad and your videos really help to explain why that's the case. For a suggestion on a weird vocal performance I think the Cranberries' song Fe Fi Fo is very disconcerting both lyrically and tonally. I read a long time ago an article that says they performed deliberately out of tune to make you feel sick. It's a strange one in all the Cranberries songs I have listened to.

[@ruthgadowworman]

When I was young and this song was out - yes, I knew his pitch was off, it bugged me, and I just thought he was a bad singer - because I was a prim young thing. Now that I'm older and wiser, I can appreciate the effects he creates with the pitches sliding around. He cared about the FEELING, not mechanical accuracy. In this case, a feeling of menace because of that uneasiness.

[@ruthgadowworman]

And yes, I don't like auto-tune that flattens out so much of the personality and quirks of a singer by pulling all the notes straight "onto the line."