face to face

[The Dark Knight]

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.

[Bobthegoon89]

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.

[Catwoman]

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. 

[The Joker]

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.

[The Dark Knight]

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.

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

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.

[Catwoman]

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!

[Catwoman]

the build up before siouxsie starts singing is so wonderfully haunting too. LOVE IT!

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

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.

[Catwoman]

at least you saw the error in your ways.

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.