that song is f***ing awesome. :)
It is, but I think it sounds better without lyrics. I don't think a purely instrumental version has ever been released.
It is an awesome song. A damn sight better than all of Prince's stuff put together, IMO.
The lyrics relate to the film and the instrumentation is perfect for Returns' vibe. The two go hand in hand.
It is the only non-score piece from any Batman film that I'll listen to.
"I hate to stay, but then I hate to leave."
Stand out lyric for me. Sums up the conflict perfectly.
But it's not just the lyric either. It's how it's sung. We understand how this person is feeling. Listen to sound made just before launching into the "but then I hate to leave." There is a moment of thoughtful dread.
The "leave" segment draws out like a blade and flows into the dramatic conclusion - which is representing the soul being laid bare. This is her pain and she is destined to face it alone, because "you'll never know."
The deep breaths used in the song, much like the chous of "Girl", help push this idea along too. It makes the subject appear more intense and worn out.
As a kid I really didn't like that song ;D Yes I know, shame on me!
I was disappointed I guess because the Prince music was almost a musical character in the original and linked with The Joker. The museum scene still brings a smile to my face. Prince really went to town making 9 songs for the movie whereas the Banshees only contributed a single song that was never really given as much attention on screen.
Now however I love it. It's probably the best of the Batman soundtracks. I think it's cool they used the actual Elfman themes to tie the song truly to the film. The only other band I know who did that was ZZ Top when their incorporated music from Back to the Future III into their soundtrack theme. Furthermore I've even just begun getting into the Banshees's other stuff. Only took me 20 years lol Their music is not always as easy to get into as Prince's (it's dark) but now have 3 of their albums (Through the looking glass, Peepshow and A kiss in the Dreamhouse). I even had the pleasure of chatting with bassist Steven Severin once and I'll always regret I forgot to ask him about the bloody Batman soundtrack! lol I know from reading an interview online "Face to Face" was actually inspired by the sound of a Disney fave: the siamese cat song from "Lady and the Tramp". Siouxsie Sioux wanted it to have that kind of feel.
Even though the songs and artists in Batman films are often criticised I feel on Burton's the choices were excellent. I mean Prince not only has songs that sounded Joker-esque, he even looked more like him in those music videos. Reminded me of Brian Bollands drawing of the character! He even likes and advocates the colour purple. And Siouxsie Sioux speaks for herself. I think her iconic eyeline makeup was even influenced by the look of Catwoman. Whenever I hear any songs from either of these artists they instantly sound right for either of these Batman foes.
I've noticed that if someone REALLY likes BR, the lyrics of the song really hit home for them. If not... eh, nothing you can say will make them see the awesome sauceness of this song.
If nothing else, the video has Siouxsie lounging around in tight black leather. If you're not into that... wtf is your problem?
Everything associated with Batman Returns lined up, how shall I put it, purrfectly. As said, 'Face to Face' fits the sound and vibe of the film to a T. I mean, another instrumental that features in the movie is 'Super Freak'. How fitting given the themes of the movie, the fact its played at a masquerade ball and later this quote is uttered by The Penguin: "You're just jealous, because I'm a genuine freak and you have to wear a mask."
I have the Maxi CD single of this which has a cool gatefold cover featuring all 3 main characters.
There are several additional songs too, "I could be again", "Hothead" and a "Catatonic mix of Face to Face". The last one is probably the closest you'll get to an instrumental version but it's slightly different given it's remix status.
I was hoping La la land would put different versions of the song on their Batman Returns release (which is such a pain to buy now). Cos has anybody heard it in the end credits? It's a different sounding version. No backing vocals and a little faster. Some effects are missing too. I wish I could hear that one. Maybe it's the original demo.
When the band perform this live they do actually use the Elfman music. No updating it to a new sound.
Thought some might like to check this out. A live Face to Face from 2004 I think. Has a tad of instrumental here too (at the begining).
http://www.nme.com/musicvideos/siouxsie-sioux-face-to-face/642948 (Hope the link works)
Kinda like the backing vocalists at the end here. They sing "Burton", "Batman" and "dark/bleakness" LOL
I have a friend who was at this show. I haven't the heart to steal that valuable Catwoman one sheet poster from 92 I know she has on her door in her room. Even though she's seen many of the Batman films and loves em she would never check out the comics and other stuff. She told me she went nuts and started singing along when Siouxsie started performing this lol To her she knows it as "The Catwoman song". I think many Banshees fans refer to it as that too. She said the Banshees played this after their memorable cover of "The Jungle Book" song "Trust in me". Great one-two for her since we both know and love these movies!
Quote from: Bobthegoon89 on Thu, 23 Aug 2012, 20:53
She told me she went nuts and started singing along when Siouxsie started performing this lol To her she knows it as "The Catwoman song". I think many Banshees fans refer to it as that too.
Yeah, I can see why. The meowing strings making an appearance, the lyircs 'my lovely foe' - Batman, 'tic tac toe' - slicing up that guy's face, 'we're siamese twins writhing intertwined' - Bruce and Selina being kindred spirits, 'when you're split in two' - Bruce's comment later in the movie. 'One more kiss before we die' - Selina before killing Max. And of course being face to face at the ball in the first place, 'no telling lies' as their identifies are accidentally revealed.
Great song.
This song (perhaps surprisingly to be fair given it's the Banshees) never appears on any MTV or VH1 lists of the greatest movie tracks. If I hear that bloody Titanic soundtrack one more time in those countdowns! It really should because unlike many movie anthems it connects to the film in more ways than one.
Sadly it wasn't a massive hit and I always thought this was the reason Forever's producers went to U2 and Seal on the next one to broaden the appeal again. Which ultimately led further to the dreaded tones of....ugh....R Kelly!!! lol
I read the Banshees had a bad experience with Warner Bros who had no love for the song. They actually wanted REM. Can you imagine how that wouldv'e turned out? Can't picture their sound in Batman Returns at all. Kudos to Burton and Danny Elfman for championing Siouxsie and co.
bumping because this song is so amazing. so beautifully haunting and the lyrics feel like they are coming out of selina's heart. i don't plan on ever dying but if i do i want it played at my funeral. :)
Quote from: Bobthegoon89 on Thu, 27 Sep 2012, 18:39
This song (perhaps surprisingly to be fair given it's the Banshees) never appears on any MTV or VH1 lists of the greatest movie tracks. If I hear that bloody Titanic soundtrack one more time in those countdowns! It really should because unlike many movie anthems it connects to the film in more ways than one.
Sadly it wasn't a massive hit and I always thought this was the reason Forever's producers went to U2 and Seal on the next one to broaden the appeal again. Which ultimately led further to the dreaded tones of....ugh....R Kelly!!! lol
I read the Banshees had a bad experience with Warner Bros who had no love for the song. They actually wanted REM. Can you imagine how that wouldv'e turned out? Can't picture their sound in Batman Returns at all. Kudos to Burton and Danny Elfman for championing Siouxsie and co.
I love "Face to Face" as well, but it's true it didn't get much play. As I don't recall it being played even once back in 1992 on the radio. Which is something that I definitely cannot say the same for "Batdance", or other songs associated with Forever and B&R. In retrospect, I don't think Prince's music, prior to 1989, really lent itself as being a good fit for a darker toned Batman movie, but it worked. Especially on a commercial level, and with key scenes involving the Joker.
Evidently, WB's line of thinking was that the same could be achieved with a REM song/soundtrack. You're right, who knows how that would have turned out? But I guess that given the summer 1992 release date, REM would have turned out a more pop/rock song that would be more fitting for a film being released during the summer than "Face to Face" was. A song that comes across as something that is more appropriate for a winter release. Which I think
Batman Returns should have been released in anyways.
Quote from: The Joker on Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 18:41
In retrospect, I don't think Prince's music, prior to 1989, really lent itself as being a good fit for a darker toned Batman movie, but it worked. Especially on a commercial level, and with key scenes involving the Joker.
Yeah, they work. I've been quite hard on the Prince music in the past, and I now think unfairly. As Joker music it's fine. It all lines up and isn't random. When Joker trashes the museum, Party Man fits the mood. This is his definition of a party. When Joker begins his parade float, the battle for Gotham's soul is underway. Who do you trust indeed.
U2 and Seal provided a killer one two punch, but Face to Face was remains my favourite. It brings to mind a frozen wasteland, both literally and emotionally.
Prince's music was always primarily Joker based to me as a kid. And superb for being so. But he did produce a killer song for Batman himself with the end credits theme "Scandalous". The music for that one on the chorus has a Batman sounding orchestral feel. Every time I watch the film the song ends it all on a slightly warm and calming feel after all the preceding action chaos. Reminds me of the end credits and music of Alien in fact. Coupled with those stunning (and iconic) yellow credits it's a triumphant end to the film. A far more satisfying round off than the dull as dishwater Hans Zimmer credits.
"Batdance" has always been controversial although it's still kinda cool to hear soundbites from the film on it (if you listen they sound like they come from an early workprint). I think Madonna was inspired by this as she did very similar things on her soundtrack album to Dick Tracy. And since Prince played uncredited guitar on her songs "Like a Prayer", "Act of Contrition" and "Keep it Together" around the same time, perhaps a suggestion was made? And you can't fault the stunning guitar solo by Prince featured on that song. I still chuckle that he even managed to incorporate the old tv series "Batman" theme in that one too.
I wish there were photos of Prince visiting the Batcave set which he apparently did. Just to see how he fit that decor. Although I do think it would have been a mistake to have also had him write the score I still find that concept interesting. To me it feels they were inspired by that from Queen's work on Flash Gordon's entire score and even perhaps AC/DC's on the forgotten Stephen King horror Maximum Overdrive.
just watched the masquerade scene again. oh my gosh how wonderful is it when the song kicks in and bruce sees selina walking down the stairs? i don't think michelle has ever looked more beautiful than she did in that scene.
I LOVE THIS SONG DAMNIT!
the build up before siouxsie starts singing is so wonderfully haunting too. LOVE IT!
I wish there was an instrumental of that music. There is only a remix of it called the "Cat-atonic remix" (which the band hate, I believe they despise all their remixes but particulary that one). I have the CD maxi-single of it which comes with an excellent gate fold cover featuring images of Siouxsie along with Batman, Catwoman and The Penguin. Some b-sides are featured too called "Hothead" and "I Could Be Again". A tape version features another track called "Sea of Light". For Batman buffs it'd be a nice little collectible to snap up on Ebay for a fantastic cheap price.
The version of Face to Face that plays in the end credits is a vastly different version from the single or album. Almost an early demo cut into the movie. It's faster and features no backing vocals and lacks certain music elements. I really want that version but it seems to be a no goer anywhere.
I've always thought it a bit of a shame the song plays low once the dialogue begins between Bruce and Selina. You don't get a chance to listen to it very well. I was delighted Tim Burton spoke about the track on his commentary (and his love for The Banshees) as they never gave it a mention on the main documentary unlike Prince's contribution. I think the documentary makers missed an opportunity when interviewing Danny Elfman. There could have been some great anecdotes about his co-working with The Banshees on the track.
To be honest as a kid I never liked the song much. Always disappointed there was only one song for Batman Returns compared to the almost musical-like nature of Prince's work. Then came the catchy guitar solo's of U2's theme song in Batman Forever. Poor little Face to Face was a bit of an oddity to me for the longest time. My opinion has totally changed now. My dad wasn't the biggest Banshees fan either and was less than impressed by their cover of The Beatles "Dear Prudence" lol Goodness knows if he was even aware of their Batman work. Even been inspired to buy their albums now but man can they be weird. I'm usually an AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Def Leppard kind of guy. The Banshees are quite simply the strangest band I've ever heard of.
at least you saw the error in your ways. :P
this is actually the only s&tb song i have even heard lol. siouxsie's sounds like michelle is singing in her catwoman voice. i think that is a huuuuuuge part of why i love it so much.
How did this thread get to two pages and no idiot (ESPECIALLY the blithering idiot who started the thread! >:( >:( >:( ) posted the damn video?
More than four years later, correcting that error. Enjoy, silly boys.
https://youtu.be/i8ETieNnWp8
This song totally captures the mood between Batman and Catwoman, and it's perfectly played in the background in the costumed ballroom scene.
These lyrics describe their final scene together as Bruce offers Selina a chance to escape with him, while he tries to convince her to spare Max Shreck.
Quote
Another life
Another time
We're Siamese twins writhing intertwined
Face to face
No telling lies
The masks they slide to reveal a new disguise
I'm partial to
QuoteTo die like this, with a last kiss
It's falsehood's flame, it's a crying shame
Face to face, the passions breathe
I hate to stay
Oh but then I hate to leave
I like that line the most, too. It captures the conflicted/tortured vibe of the song.
The other lyrics have been/are being covered. But one line that always stood out to me was the first line:
Face to face, my lovely foe
I love it because (A) it's not true for most of the movie but (B) it's true in every frame of the movie in a weird kind of way while (C) as much as Bruce and Selina loved each other... well, love wasn't necessarily the defining value of their association, now was it? But combat might've been.
So much conveyed in six simple words.