On Her Majesty's Secret Service - The First Four Chords

[@alexanderwyllie7334]

Barrys score for OHMSS should have won an Academy Award / Oscar , Imho !

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Absolutely should have been nominated - one of the best!

[@alexanderwyllie7334]

My all-time favourite Bond and movie score of all time !!

[@HattoriHanzo62]

mine too, amazing, great!

[@ue4058]

Incredibly great analysis -- thank you! Book, film and thrilling score, OHMSS is the overlooked gem in the Bond canon, as so many have said, really the complete deal. Nobody has mentioned the delicious Diana Rigg, so I will.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - i agree, it’s definitely the complete deal!

[@theexmann]

Fascinating. OHMSS has always been my favorite bond film, but now I will listen to the music more closely and appreciate it more next time I watch it. Thanks.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

My pleasure!

[@richardvinsen2385]

I think this is the best Bond score of them all. The instrumental theme is timeless.

[@jeromewesselman4653]

Not only Best Score, but the best Bond Movie also

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

It certainly would be hard to choose, but I think I'd have to agree!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

@@jeromewesselman4653 It does all come together in that one, doesn't it...

[@lyrimetacurl0]

Probably my second favourite James Bond intro theme after The Living Daylights.

[@newbotany]

My favourite movie score too.. Incredibly powerful, and versatile. Barry's epitaph.

[@jennymarais8782]

I loved OHMSS .....One of my favourite Bond movies. Love Theme song.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Mine too!

[@QHarefield]

Wow - brilliant! I never knew there was so much in it {as the old advert said}. You have certainly opened this up for me. Your exposition is clear and easy to understand, both visually and audibly. Thank you. To me, John Barry was a vital part of the Bond films. He is the Beethoven of film composers, and this is my favourite Bond theme {as it is for many other people}. I am going to re-watch this.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Fantastic - thank you!

[@frankus54]

John Barry..... The Master!

[@jondonnelly3]

Very good score and film. Better than No time to die.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Better than most things, in my humble opinion :)

[@aroddy123]

Brilliant soundtrack.I've been listening to it since I was 7.

[@oldmoviesinbwwithsubtitles3501]

My all time favorite Bond soundtrack. The horns section is amazing. Great video!

[@Madmanmarque]

Wonderful deconstruction. This has always been my favorite Bond score!

[@luvhart]

Wonderful video, enjoyed it immensely. OHMSS is my favourite soundtrack too from the James Bond series, so this was a joy

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@robertroberto2487]

Main Interplay Theme Score Goes Beyond Lazenby And Connery.OHMSS Master Barry.

[@philh27]

Excellent. My favourite score too. And now I have a better idea why!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@suthonlimchawalit9257]

I love what you tell the story.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@fireshipmedia9214]

Brilliant analysis - probably the best of all the Bond scores - though I'm looking forward to hearing what Hans Zimmer does with such a vast back catalogue of themes to play with in the latest instalment!

[@alanoconnor6921]

Well if you've seen no time to die you'll know just how good hans zimmers score is,, if you haven't seen it you're in for a treat,,

[@alcatrazeleochestra4146]

One of the theme songs from the Bond movie that I really love, Thank you for sharing sir.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

My pleasure - thanks!

[@ssessler1885]

Thank you for this incredibly detailed and insightful analysis of the greatest Bond score ever! John Barry was a genius.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

He sure was! Thanks!

[@rex-racer]

One of my favorite Bond books and Bond movies and definitely my favorite bond score by one of my favorite film composers. Before I owned the greatest hits album (I bought the same one you framed) and later the entire score for this film on CD, I used to listen to a cassette that I recorded straight off of the TV when OHMSS aired. Oh, that ski chase! Great video and nice graphics throughout too.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks! - I was a big recorder of music off the television, too - that was the only way, at one point!

[@fifthof1795]

That ski chase was filmed by Willy Bognor who literally was strapped to a seat hanging out of the front of a helicopter. Amazing shots that had never been attempted before...and the music that goes with it. Deffo in my top three Bond films.

[@christophermyers4673]

Thank you and fantastic work. Bond films have been woven into my life and this is in my top 5 scores of all time.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

My pleasure - The scores are pretty foundational for me too.

[@ronfrey5327]

deep dive putting the brows to it as Zappa would say. I had the honor of building a guitar for Vic Flick. 60 years of Bond id say that and Ennio are my first influences on guitar. Vic was very kind to me I hope his white strat is holding up. the neck was a 1961 it had a chip of original paint which I matched the body I made too. Vic said how on earth did you know what color my original Guitar was without having the body. I said because ive got license to Kill in Connery's voice.. Then explaining id seen a rub of color on the neck he had sent me and matched that. The original theme of course was not played on a fender but rather a paragon falcon hollowbody guitar.. Vic could read music... thats how he got the gig. Im not a great reader but ive learned how too read should have learned Piano as first instrument.... but anyone can learn to read if I can. Just learned you only live twice on guitar last night and charted it after tuning to the recording which is Eb. My Father took me to these films I miss him alot thanks for posting im subbed ...

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Wow - great story! Sounds like it's a beautiful instrument as well - I think the Vic Flick guitar sound was subconsciously one of my early influences as well, because I'm often not satisfied until the guitar reaches that level of bite on my own recordings :) Thanks for sharing.

[@BossLevelAudio24]

I spent so long figuring out what those weird but awesome opening chords were!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Me too! I had never ever heard anything like it before.

[@BossLevelAudio24]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 John Barry was easily one the most gifted and creative composers. I think of this sequence of chords as c min with an F in the bass, E flt minor with a B in the bass, Em with an A in the bass and an inverted A augmented with a B fit in the bass.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

@@BossLevelAudio24 Sure, if that works! My brain has always tried to push it into F because of the riff being in F, but the theory is always there to support a way to understand whats going on better, imo.

[@BossLevelAudio24]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 Well the song DOES play from F Minor so your way makes more sense.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

@@BossLevelAudio24 Yours would work too, on a lead sheet, and sound the same.

[@michaelsquire6896]

Thank you very much, Mr. Frederick. I've wanted to learn more about my favourite pieces of music for years and found your parts on the Q the Music Lockdown sessions, with Mr. Warren Ringham, to be fascinating. Having now watched the Q the Music bonus material I am delighted to learn that you have a KZbin channel and have immediately watched your video explaining the first four chords of OHMSS. Fantastically interesting and greatly appreciated.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks Michael - glad to hear you like it!

[@CygnusTCC]

What a great analysis and perspective. How many more ways can the brilliance of John Barry be expressed or presented.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - It's true, the more I look at it, the more I'm surprised at what's at work behind the initial impact of it.

[@There_Will_Be_Bond]

Wow, this is excellently done and very educational! There's so much here I never connected together. The Goldfinger chords used in different ways throughout that score is very obvious, but 5 years later John Barry's compositional skills became much more advanced/ He's doing the same thing but in a much more interesting manner. I hope you will do the same for other Barry scores in the future (Bond or otherwise). -MS

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - I'd definitely like to.

[@liquidgeorge]

From Tailors With Love - Your stuff is awesome!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

@@liquidgeorge Thanks so much!

[@deacondavis5098]

AWESOME Barry score!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

It sure is - even after half a century!

[@peterlatham]

What a fantastic video, this is one of my favourite soundtrack albums to listen too. I personally think it's the best movie soundtrack album ever. Another really good one is The Living Daylights. I only got the album early this year having watched the video I can see commonality with On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Yes, it's been decades now and I never get tired of it. And I know what you mean - I think it and TLD have a pretty large amount of reinvention to freshen up the character in common (musically). It still sounds like John Barry, but approaches from a different angle that's pretty timeless but also rooted right in the era that they're done in.

[@peterlatham]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 have you listened to the new soundtrack album “No Time to Die”. If not please do.. it’s fantastic..

[@srb-ef3zs]

One of the best clips on youtube. Period.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

You are too kind - thanks!

[@erictripton]

This is a great breakdown explained, I try to re create by ear.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@erictripton]

So would I have to transpose these chords if I am playing keyboard?? I am trying to recreate, but if I play these chords on piano and midi to my horns, it sounds nice but not bringing it together for some reason...not sure what horn is playing which note from the 4 chords... I am not a reader, nor orchestral. But wish to get this sounding correctly. @@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452

[@erictripton]

My chords I looked up with Dr. Google... and the chord shapes sound similar to what you play at 9:10, but something sounds more diminished if that is a way to describe it.. I can pick out by looking at the staff, but I never got past reading music, in guitar lessons.. my weak point. @@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Horns are in F, instead of C, (so written notes sound a fifth below) and trumpets are usually in Bb (so written notes sound a second below), which may have something to do with it. Hope that helps.@@erictripton

[@bowermancrystalmail]

John Barry will always live on... Dances with Wolves, Out of Africa, there's a beautiful little score in You only Live Twice. Barry said his parents had just died and it went into part of the score. I might have the movie wrong, maybe it was the love song, the one Louis Armstrong sang. 'We have All the Time in the World". Omg I've cried so many times to that song, knowing the ending with Tracy😭❤️

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Yes, it's completely timeless, isn't it?!

[@MuzixMaker]

It’s apparent that Barry’s musical style was a vital part of the Bond movie experience and without it the authenticity is gone. Exhibit A is “Never Say Never Again.”

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Yes, I've always thought that part of James Bond's personality existed solely in John Barry's music, as tho it was part of the character.

[@frankpinmtl]

Hello fellow Canuck. I have also been a big Bond fan since the 70's. For me, the hook in the OHMSS theme is the four descending notes, following the four chords, which repeat as the tune progresses - probably also played on a Moog. I enjoy John Barry as well, especially his 007 theme - the action music I believe we last heard in Moonraker, during the Amazon boat chase scene. Well done video. Thank you.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks! Yes, I'd love to hear '007' again.

[@frankpinmtl]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 You ask and I provide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faHYl5qZidaNa7s

[@GLORYNEVADASMITH]

In John Barry’s Film Score for “ Thunderball “ there seems to me themes belonging to more than one movie , a double film score so to speak - plus the underwater ambient music - as I understand The Barry original Title Track ( Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, ) was not allowed .

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Yes, I think it's a pretty stellar example of how creative and flexible composers have had to be for logistical reasons, coming up with 'Thunderball' at the last minute as JB managed to do. They're both pretty fabulous, I think.

[@michaelm2441]

Excellent analysis! Fascinating and illuminating.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - Glad you liked it!

[@OrsmanOntiago]

brilliant analysis - just what I was looking for

[@BR-ur2gk]

Love it! just started playing again so nice catch up on some music theory basics I forgot, or just never knew - much more entertaining than my old classical piano lessons definitely going to get some Bond sheet music now

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks! James Bond themes are great fun to play thru off the sheet music.

[@ianstubbs1175]

I'm going to be watching this video a few times. Superb analysis of one of my favourite John Barry and James Bond scores. Thank you

[@jasonfrederick-composer6958]

Thanks- it’s one of my favourites as well!

[@ianstubbs1175]

@@jasonfrederick-composer6958 I realise 'Try' also follows the minor to major 3rd pattern

[@jasonfrederick-composer6958]

@@ianstubbs1175 Another incredible piece of music..

[@aleyak74]

Thank you for this great analysis. You made me want to listen to this brilliant score for umpteenth time. ...which I am doing right now

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks! I always hear something new in it, too.

[@andrewmorfesi2428]

I bought the LP in the early 70's before the film ran on ABC.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

How cool - my first copy was a used lp from the 1970's!

[@nicknewman7848]

Fantastic video.. I learned something!!! Barry's genius for repeating the same things but doing them differently establishes his own unique sound in a way. Williams and Morricone do it too as do many others I guess? Different combo's of chords and instruments that end up speaking their own emotional language. The way they use the instruments, their influences, the things they steal and make their own. I find myself drawn to the guys with the jazz backgrounds in film music even though I often don't fully understand what they're doing unless it's explained to me like this. They are all easy to recognise (emotionally for the viewer) which must be part of the success. Fancy doing a video breaking down the theme from 'The Taking of Pelham 123'? The horns are unbelievable. I'll pay you ;)

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

I'd love to do that sometime! And I agree, that opening title (I presume you're referring to the 1974 version) is massive! That'd be a great one to get into.

[@nicknewman7848]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 Yes, the original. The funky one. The woodwind and brass are awesome. I'm a amateur composer (with aspirations) but I never really understood fully what's going on in it and how one composes such a piece. I hear funk, jazz and dis-chordant stuff and interesting rhythm and dynamics so any analysis on its structure would be most welcome. I find that period and style in film and tv music really interesting. Cheers for the reply.

[@terrypaget]

Have to agree...l even went piz gloria n still with to this day probably b buried to this music..eternal thanks to u j Barry 😮😊

[@emiliovillapastor7599]

I would say both: something working intellectually and unconscious unintentional talent.. WHAT A BEAST!!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

It sure is a beast!

[@typhoolin]

Excellent analysis! Thanks for this breakdown!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks, Paul - much appreciated!

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

Totally agree! For me, OHMSS is the best James Bond movie and, of course the best Soundtrack...I read somewhere that the producers told John Barry that it was a NEW Bond who was to appear ..so he had to write a Soundtrack that could blow everyones mind!...Thanks for the video..Im not a musician but understood all your analysis....Im never tired of hearing this soundtrack ...Please...maybe another video...but I regret you didnt mention the main song and Louis Armstrong: "We have all the time in the world"

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks! I never get tired of it either - and if I can get enough material for a follow up, I'll definitely mention the wonderful song in it as well :)

[@Kubrickfilmfan73]

If you haven't done it, take a look at the 1971 film "Mary, Queen of Scots" (it's on Netflix). John Barry's music plays such an integral part that the commentary track is devoted to his music, so much so that they completely mute the dialogue and only interrupt the discussion when the music comes on.

[@Kubrickfilmfan73]

The first one minute and seven seconds sets the tone of the film. Imagine the Universal Studios logo coming into focus followed by a few opening credits. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHzdXqGdl8l-bas

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - I haven't heard the commentary track, I shall definitely check it out.

[@pymlicomusic]

Thank you for this brilliant upload!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

My pleasure - glad you liked it.

[@leslauner5062]

Hi Jason. You are exceptionally intuitive and able to explain your expert musical analysis here. Subbed. Will you look at Jerry Goldsmith's Alien Theme at some point? Thank you, my friend. Peace.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - And great suggestion - A look at Alien would be a great idea!

[@GLORYNEVADASMITH]

The first record I ever bought was the “ Goldfinger “ soundtrack, but The Second Album I ever purchased was “ The Professionals “ soundtrack by Maurice Jarre - A Western movie score with Mexican sensibility … Then came Sgt. Peppers !

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

That's a pretty solid line-up!

[@NerdGirlUK]

Just come across this. Excellent video. Subbed.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@gerby8]

Michael Giacchino musical score on Disney movie UP is a good example of what Barry did to OHMSS

[@estebangimenez9287]

Congrats, Jason!!

[@kevindavis8120]

Superb opening score.

[@brucemarshall3446]

Excellent!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@toddteagarden2200]

I first saw this as a kid on vhs in the late 80’s and the music reminded me of the Golden Gate fight in “A View to A Kill” It’s basically the same thing or very similar

[@LeviRamsey]

A great example of Barry introducing something musical right at the beginning of the film is his Bond swan song. Compare the gunbarrel sequence in The Living Daylights to Octopussy or A View to a Kill: being slower and more "orchestral", it previews the role that classical music plays in the film.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Good observation!

[@iansands8607]

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the best bond theme ever. R.I.P. John Barry, the best film composer ever.

[@Year2047]

Awesome video.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thank you!

[@martinclarke3562]

Agreed. My favourite too. You, of course, know that the whole melody to A view to a kill is in the score for this film. Good walking music. Ha ha, A great and informative vid. Thanks

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - Yes, I think it's great for walking, running, driving...adds a bit of spice to a lot of things!

[@AndyFerguson]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 I used to be a “motivational speaker” (for my sins) and I used this a lot to get me in the mood. It helps of course to know that this soundtrack also kicked started my love of 1/ synthesisers - I studied them in the late 70’s and met Bob Moog AND 2/ led me to skiing, to become a ski instructor in France where I met my wife. She was my Tracy and brought a whole new world of adventure. So this one piece of music is so entangled in my DNA, so influential, I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out without it. Thank you for reminding me just how important it was/is. I have one unfulfilled ambition by the way - to make a short ski movie featuring this music (which I’ll record using synthesisers of course) recreating some of the skiing and adding in my own bit of spice from my unusual “off piste” adventures - skiing in unusually places, like the Sahara sand dunes, the rocky side of a volcano, etc. You have inspired me to go for it.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

@@AndyFerguson Thanks - That's a great story! And I love ski movies (and ski chases on film - there's not enough of them!) of all kinds, sounds like a fantastic idea!

[@CharlieBarbarossa]

4:28 to hear the chords.

[@GwcMuso]

Two years late to the party but, this is excellent. Putting me in the mood for the new release...🤩😁

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks!

[@BenOSickey]

Very nice handling of the nuclear musical material of early Barry soundtracks for Bond. Are you arriving at the chords by ear? Wish I found your channel sooner!

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks very much! Yes, the transcriptions are all by ear - I'm not aware of sources for most of them.

[@BenOSickey]

@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 Well good ear then! Sounded great. Also enjoyed your Vince Guaraldi style "Do They Know" Christmas song. Yes pretty sure there is no published accurate scores. So if you are analyzing, I'm watching ha. Speaking of unique Barry chords, wonder if you ever looked into the King Kong score. There's a motif he keeps coming back to. Some kind of suspended chord indeterminate mood epic legato strings with winds/flutes coming in thing. Ahh! So much good stuff. Rock on.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Deserves more views.. A great score to one of the top three Bond films imho.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thank you!

[@aceconrad]

I love this entire film. it's the james bond theme but upside down . its great because it follows the pace of the the bond theme but switches notes,,some upside down from monty norman. awesome

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - I do too!

[@simonchafer5476]

Wow!! Thanks. So interesting...

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Thanks - it's nice to share something that I'm such a fan of.

[@jtbond1975]

Intriguing.

[@briancherry8088]

Ian Flemming, Cubby Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, Terrence Young, and John Barry created James Bond for the cinema.

[@seanryan3070]

This is an excellent analysis, but I'm pretty sure the first chord is an Fm9(maj7) No? I can definitely hear an E concert there...

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

That's a good observation, I know what you mean - I've actually gone back and forth over the years with both sevenths being in that chord, and landed on this at the moment - I'd love to the see the original score :)

[@seanryan3070]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 it’s tough to hear! I’m actually arranging a suite of music from ohmss, and I had to listen to it like 14 times. 😂. But I’m pretty sure that concert E5 is played by the 2nd Trumpet.

[@gerby8]

Great analysis. Did you happen to watch the Disney movie The Incredibles? The movie score is somewhat Bondish

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

I sure did! Fantastic score!

[@elektron2kim666]

It's a spy theme BTW. Morse code, encryption, new technology being stolen. I also realized a liking for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" over others (spy themes) recently. Maybe from learning music and the guitar.

[@floridagator1765]

EASILY ONE of my favorite Bond themes!! Better than the movie

[@iananderson7883]

I listen to James Bond music while reading the books. Only the early Bond flicks do justice to the books. OHMSS is close to the book.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

I've done that! OHMSS really does add something to the book - the graphic novel, too.

[@jaycotton7142]

Great movie and score. Everyone was over compensating for Connery's absence. Barry said he over wrote AND HOW !!! And Lazenby is still the 2nd best Bond really up close to the Seanster and every one else is a distant 3rd. Daniel Craig did a really good job and made the first Bond movies I could watch all the way through without turning them off before finishing.

[@stephencarter2664]

I can't believe John Barry wasn't influenced by the opening of Mahler's _'Trinklied Vom Jammer Der Erde'_ .

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

That's an interesting observation. I've not considered that before. I think I've heard it said that John Barry did appreciate Mahler - In a general sense, the shapes and interplay of his brass lines do have a personality in common with what I hear in Mahler, as one of the many aspects that are in what I consider to be Mr Barry's highly original writing in OHMSS.

[@stephencarter2664]

@@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452 Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Yes, Barry's OHMSS score is indeed a beautiful and highly original piece of music. Thanks for your insight.

[@Jerry-l2b6z]

i'm sorry but this piece says and explains nothing.

[@JPO29115]

"My name is Jason Frederick, I'm a film and TV composer, one of the wettest speakers in the world and a massive fan of disgusting smacking sounds"

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Too bad the movie sucks.

[@jaediccacairns4754]

It’s thought by aficionados of bond films to be one of the best. It’s the one that is echoed most in No Time to Die…Each to their own….

[@yeboscrebo4451]

@@jaediccacairns4754 yeah that’s why its the least-played on tv. Nobody likes it

[@hardrockindaddy]

I always maintained that John Barry inspired progressive rock.

[@jasonfredericksscore-ytime4452]

Both genres certainly share some off-the-chart creativity!