Spy Hard (song)
"Spy Hard" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic used as the theme song to the film of the same name. The song was originally released as a B-side on the "Gump" single, and was later re-released as its own single; however, it has never appeared on one of Yankovic's studio albums.
Music video
The opening title sequence to the actual film Spy Hard is a parody of the title sequences from the James Bond films designed by Maurice Binder - specifically 1965's Thunderball, complete with multiple colored backgrounds, silhouetted figures, and "wavy" text. The song itself was a parody of songs used during such James Bond title sequences, complete with an orchestra (conducted by Bill Conti, who composed the music for the 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only) and spy-themed lyrics.
An urban legend states that during the recording of the theme to Thunderball, Tom Jones held the song's final note long enough to pass out; in this film, Yankovic holds it long enough to make his head explode. Originally, Yankovic had planned to loop the note to the required length, but in the studio, he discovered he was able to hold the note long enough that no looping was required.
Spy Hard
Spy Hard is a 1996 American spy comedy film parody starring Leslie Nielsen and Nicollette Sheridan, parodying James Bond films and other action films. The introduction to the movie is sung by comedy artist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is the first film to be written by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. The film title is a pun of Die Hard.
Plot
Secret agent WD-40 Dick Steele (Leslie Nielsen) has his work cut out for him. Along with the mysterious and lovely Veronique Ukrinsky, Agent 3.14, he must rescue the kidnapped Barbara Dahl and stop the evil genius, a General named Rancor (Andy Griffith), from seizing control of the entire world.
Rancor was wounded in an earlier encounter and no longer has arms. However, he can "arm" himself by attaching robotic limbs with various weapons attached. Steele is talked out of retirement by an old friend, agent Steven Bishop (Robert Guillaume), and given his new assignment by The Director (Charles Durning), who also is testing out a variety of elaborate disguises. At headquarters, Steele encounters an old agency nemesis, Norm Coleman (Barry Bostwick), and flirts with the Director's adoring secretary, referred to as Miss Cheevus (Marcia Gay Harden).
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