The video above lacks the audio track due to Youtube's fun, however, the full version can be found at Vimeo here. Second however, the above video being muted helps, as this whole post is about alternate songs that could work for the above video and was the reason my friend Richard and I stayed up until 4am or so one day.
We tried numerous videos, some for their general sound and others for their themes, starting them at various points in both videos to try and see what syncs best. I've included some starting points, but feel free to experiment. Regardless, it's a fun educational example of how impactful audio and visual syncing can be.
Without further ado, here's essentially an adaptation of our conversation... (personal favorite is probably #5)
1. "Skyfall" - Adele
Richard started the night (or morning) out strong, as, surprisingly, or not, the song syncs almost perfectly. It helps that both versions of Spectre (Sam Smith's and Radiohead's) continue in the vein of Adele's deservedly multi-award-winning tune.
2. "Live and Let Die" - Paul McCartney and Wings
As Richard said, " apparently, James Bond music is so formulaic." As the songs typically revolve around the basic Bond theme, that holds true. It also helps that "Live and Let Die" is one of the best Bond songs.
3. "Nobody Does It Better" - Carly Simon
As a personal favorite Bond song, I was curious how this one synced. If you start the song when it first cuts to the lightsaber, it has only a few blips, but hot damn that ending.
For other Bond songs, Richard said Goldfinger works, but both Goldeneye and Casino Royale break the formula. I'm abstaining on links in order to move onto some more experimental fun, such as...
4. "Thunderstruck" - AC/DC
Something was telling me this could be a fun song and it didn't disappoint. Start the actual song as soon as the SW video starts. It misses spots, but syncs really well with others.
5. "Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
My next submission. This one is thematically really fun. It can be started at various times, either with the beginning of the video or when cutting to the lightsaber; the latter of which syncs better at the end. As Richard said, "Lol, wow, Simple Man totally changes the genre of the film."
6. "Uno" - Muse
Richard: "I'm enjoying this Muse song starting from the shot of the lightsaber from the front."
7. "The Dark Knight Theme" - Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
Switching to a different film franchise, Richard suggested starting the video about two seconds ahead of the song.
8. "Cat's In the Cradle" - Cat Stevens
Another thematic one. This one has some EXCELLENT moments, particularly in the middle, if started from the beginning. Syncing from the lightsaber also works ridiculously well. As Richard said, "Awesome. My judge of a good match now is whether or not a big beat lands right on the laser shooting from Vader's eye, and Cat's in the Cradle does not disappoint."
9. "Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins
Richard: "Oh man, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS SOONER."
With that, Richard was tapped out, but his final contribution inspired me to try one more song...
10. "Push it to the Limit" - Paul Engemann
Start the song a smidge before the video. Side note: Paul Engemann went on to be part of the band Device, which created the spectacularly awesome 80's album 22B3 (partially streaming on Amazon Prime). Highly recommended.
That ended our late night of fun music and video syncing.
But wait!
There's more...
Coda, courtesy or Richard; "The video also goes well with The World is Not Enough, as well as the top two tracks from "Iron Eagle" - One Vision by Queen, and Iron Eagle by King Cobra. Lol, just in case you're still not sick of this."
And with that, I hope you've enjoyed the ride.
