Nancy Sinatra – “You Only Live Twice” / “Jackson” (Reprise RS 20595) June 1967

A quick follow-up to the not-very-successful “Love Eyes.” And this should fair better, if only because it’s the title track from the new James Bond film. As you might expect, it’s suitably gripping and atmospheric with a haunting melody line typical of all John Barry compositions.

Set at rock-a-ballad tempo, it has an absolutely enveloping backing, with strings and brass all playing flat out. Nancy Sinatra, who duel tracks some passages, is almost swamped at times – but doubtless this is intended as a deliberate soundtrack effect. Strongly emoted.

FLIP: Composer Lee Hazlewood duets with Nancy in this cute country-flavoured novelty, with harmonica in the backing. Chugging up-beat railroad rhythm. (NME – 10/06/67)

Movie theme, with a massive orchestral backing and Nancy in double-tracked form. It’s really not, at first hearing, all that strong a melody and certainly not her strongest. But she sells well and should make the Fifty.

Flip: features her with Lee Hazlewood on a Country-styled fast pacer which I very much preferred. (Record Mirror – 10/06/67)

You’re not playing me the new Donald Peers single are you? Julie Rogers? Who is it, man? Nancy Sinatra? didn’t I goof! Sorry Frank. I can’t take this, take it off. How do they do it? It’s terrible. But there you go. (Steve Marriott in Melody Maker – 17/06/67)

Theme from the new James Bond film, but not nearly so catchy or commercial as earlier “007” saga songs. Knockout Nancy seems lost against the muddled backing. (Disc & Music Echo – 10/06/67)

Any questions about my content please get in touch via the contact form.